How to Build a Chevrolet 454 Big Block Part 3: Removing Pistons and Crankshaft!

[@tonybustos2396]

Body tech since a kid but your informative info on trucks is helping me fix my 88 Chevy dulley 454

[@ags4444]

This is such a great series man! I have been wanting to build a motor for a long time (the car will come later haha). I just sourced a 454 out of a motorhome at an auto wrecker today!

[@michaelrouse627]

Best rebuild of a big block I've seen yet! I'm pulling 2 Mercruiser 454 MAG MPI Horizon motors out of my boat on Thursday! I haven't rebuilt an engine before so I'm excited about these videos. Thanks for doing such a great job!

[@Blazer02LS]

Removing the cam, Thread a long bolt into the sprocket bolt hole and use it as a handle. Oh and when it comes back, be sure to wash the snot out of that block, even a great hot tank can leave things behind. When you bring it back flip it over and lay it on a couple of wood blocks. Transporting it on the caps is a good way to damage the caps.

[@marlonjohnson898]

This is where I'm stuck what bolt should I thread into the cam in order to turn the crank so I can I get the pistons out and I thought I was suppose to use the same bolt that held the harmonic balancer but that's not big enough please help

[@Blazer02LS]

@@marlonjohnson898 You don't use the cam to turn the crank you use either a bolt in the crank or the older method of just slipping the balancer on with the key in place and use it to rotate the crank by putting a couple bolts in it and using a bar between them. Or if you have it on a stand you can use a strap wrench on the crank snout and have it set up so the handle part catches on the key. Lots of ways to turn it. I've even uses an aluminum pipe wrench right on the crank snout and used the sprocket and balancer keys as the grabbing point. Most of the time you can use the crank to push them up as well, rotate it just enough that you can get the nuts off as many caps as possible. (be sure to mark the caps for cylinder and position first) then rotate the crank one way to push the rod/piston up, then rotate it the other way to do the same with one that might have been on the opposite side. If you follow the firing order you can have them all pushed to the top of the bores in about 2 turns.

[@marlonjohnson898]

@@Blazer02LS thanks man I got it figured out now only if I could get these dam lifters out everything is out and off except cam and lifters

[@Blazer02LS]

@@marlonjohnson898 Lifters develop a ridge of oil varnish around the base where they don't travel up into the bore. Best way to get them out is with a lifter tool like the Performance Tool W84004. It grips the lip inside the bore where the inner piston is captured with the snap ring. The problem is that not many place have them as loaner tools because hardly anyone really rebuilds anymore. What you can do is get a pair of external snap ring pliers like the and modify the tips so they will fit into that groove on the lifter, then use some brake cleaner to spray around the lifter base through the drain slots in the block and pull up and twist it in the bore to try to remove the varnish and get the lifter out.

[@DadbrosGarage]

Year later..and we still waiting on the finished product. Come on Ryan, you got us in crazy suspense man! lol

[@2carpros]

Sorry Ken! We are working on it! I am also building a Camaro all around it kinda got sidelined by that. We are coming down to it very soon I promise. Thanks for watching!

[@themeez1000]

I'm so glad I've graduated to Electric cordless impacts

[@2carpros]

They sure are handy! Thanks for watching!

[@themeez1000]

@@2carpros I've watched this series like 4 times. Lol. Good refresher for when I start building my 454

[@MALOX13RAIDERS]

Keep em coming videos are great for a novice like me

[@MALOX13RAIDERS]

I my back just learned not to to pick up a big block even if its dissembled... I just tore down my gen 4 too

[@2carpros]

Nice! There are plenty of videos coming!

[@crawford323]

I viewed your information and noticed your facility is located at Dana Point. Read the novel "Two years before the Mast." This book about sail trade in the early 1800's describes your city before California was under Spanish control. Dana wrote the book hence your city was named in his honor. If you are I tested in the area you live. This book was pivotal in the treatment of sailors and their rights. It is s great read. Just saying.

[@2carpros]

I will look into it! I really love Dana Point! Thanks for watching!

[@ReshardsAutomotiveWorkshop]

Great tips. Thanks 😎👍.

[@2carpros]

No problem 👍

[@TubeInspire]

I see you sent the pistons to the shop as well but on video 5 you mention the purchase of pistons, what exactly was done to the piston at the machine shop? Thanks in advance. first timer building 🙏

[@2carpros]

So the old pistons were taken off of our rods and thrown into the trash. New slightly bigger pistons are mounted to our rods and returned to us. Thanks for watching and good luck on your build Ruben!

[@TubeInspire]

@@2carpros oh ok! Thank you for the feedback, awesome videos and the best explained on youtube btw in search for your content before anyone else from removing engine on the bronco to this build 👊😉

[@TubeInspire]

@@2carpros how don't decide the bore/pistons I need?

[@salvadorgutierrezr5914]

Good job👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹

[@isaaclawrence7920]

Never ever let a crankshaft lay down it has too be standing up the whole time

[@YoMamaWazHere]

Why what will happen if its lay down?

[@isaaclawrence7920]

@@YoMamaWazHere it will warp it make it not spin true then you just have scrap metal

[@Blazer02LS]

@@YoMamaWazHere Nothing unless it's hit or damaged in that position. The idea is that if you lay them down they can bend because they are not supported evenly. The problem with that tale is that if you store it standing on end all the weight of the crank is being supported by that last rod journal 3-4 inches off centerline. So if laying down supported in 4-5 places will bend it, how much will the 20 pounds bend that single journal. Think about this, if you turn a crank it is spun up in the machine supported at the ends with a single support for the journal being ground, then it is put in a box and shipped around the continent and gets to your door ready to be installed, think the guys in shipping and trucking are going to cradle that box like a baby?

[@crawford323]

Can you convert a flat tippet came to a roller cam?

[@2carpros]

Yep. You just need the right cam and lifters, might also change the pushrod length. Thanks for watching!

[@cr500mike]

LIKE

[@litmus7325]

3:26 how did you get them off? None of my sockets fit!

[@2carpros]

Just used a 9/16 deep well socket if I remember right. Those suckers were on tight though. Thanks for watching!

[@litmus7325]

@@2carpros no problem man, I'm doing a build on my other channel spoilerz and am thanking the lord above that these videos are out there as I prep to do it😂

[@kadenarvello9648]

About how much is it to get a 454 machined?

[@2carpros]

To be machined and hot tanked and re-barringed and to have the crankshaft resurfaced, It was around a thousand dollars. Thanks for watching!

[@kadenarvello9648]

@@2carpros You're welcome, I am wanting to rebuild my 454 in my 61 Apache and was looking at where to start and how much everything would cost. Thank you I'm looking forward to seeing your next videos.

[@nellyfarnsworth7381]

@@2carpros Wow they saw you coming.

[@gregl1070]

Why would you hammer the piston past the ridge at the top of the cylinder?

[@2carpros]

Because it was a tight fit and I wanted the piston out. Thanks for watching!

[@firearmconvention946]

What did the machine shop charge you? I just want to get a general idea of cost

[@2carpros]

1300 or so if I remember correctly. Thanks for watching!

[@firearmconvention946]

@@2carpros thank you

[@warwitem]

Did you buy new pistons?

[@2carpros]

Yep. They are SRP forged pistons. Thanks for watching!

[@mathewwebb4345]

What was the full cost on the full rebuilt?

[@2carpros]

Right around $7000 but I reused nothing and got some choice speed parts. Thanks for watching!

[@Scary-168-Teacher]

Wow good

[@hayden9102]

On my 454 no parts were numbered Lmao your lucky

[@2carpros]

Luck of the draw!

[@nellyfarnsworth7381]

I was rebuilt before. The numbers on the rods, are stamped by the rebuilder.

[@jasonfarnsworth5880]

Why are you using a metal bar to tap out the pistons use a damn wooden dowel or something

[@2carpros]

These pistons are going into the trash and I don't have a damn wooden dowel. Thanks for watching!

[@danielcrawford587]

You guys get to in depth about everything you are doing. As though we can’t think for ourselves. Like the chain on the block, like cardboard in the bed. Com on man if someone is watching to rebuild one for themselves they don’t need someone to explain how heavy a head off a big block is.

[@2carpros]

I'm just trying to be as helpful as possible. I'd rather cover too much than too little.

[@Gabianmaster]

Love what you're doing there with 454s but you run your mouth too much

[@2carpros]

I'd rather say too much than say too little and someone miss something. Thanks for watching Marcel!