I'm thinking about doing something with my engine this summer. Was just wondering what you guys think is the best way to go, rebuild the 454 matching motor or a crate motor? I have heard that with a crate motor there is some modification that you have to do  to make it fit. Can you get the same performance and fuel efficiency with a rebuild as you do with a crate motor?

Well Bubba tell us more about the B/B. Like what ailes it? Is it a lack of power? Does it smoke bad? Maybe that old familar knocking sound that comes from within B/B motors?

Tell us a little about the car its in. Show car? All numbers matching? Everything OEM and no aftermarket stuff.

Or is it like mine and just the way you like it, sprinkled with aftermarket stuff all throughout?

Some insight into would be helpful..... Tuxblacray2008-01-08 15:51:49

It's not a show car by no means. It probably never will be. It's #'s matching. The pervious owner modified it some what, all electronic gauges(which i do not care for), headers and side pipes(which I do like),electonic ignition. It runs OK but not great, smokes a little, it has 116,000 miles. I'm not sure if anything in the engine has been modified (owner passed away before i got the vett). It runs strong, but i would like to get better fuel efficiency.

If you do decide on a crate, keep the orignal motor!! Original 1970 454s are hard commodities to find these days....

I agree...if you go the crate route save the motor.  At some later date you could have it rebuilt at your leisure.

A big block car that's substantially original can definitely have some collector's value.  Driver quality may be all you want or need out of the car...if that's what is most important to you a crate engine is a better way to go.

Crate engines are more cost effective from a driving aspect.  For future value keeping the original engine means more.  My opinion is just my opinion...you're the only one who can make that decision. 

I'm not aware of any modifications you'll need to make with a crate engine outside of the really big-inch big blocks like the 572 and maybe the 502.  They're tall deck engines and while they'll drop in, the taller decks mean the heads are higher and the intake and induction system will sit higher and may have clearance issues with the hood.  Exhaust manifolds and belts and pulleys will be positioned somewhat differently as well.  That's probably the modiifcations you're concerned with.

May be all you need is a new set of heads. If compression is good and it runs strong, new performance heads will help the smoke problem & make it go faster. As far as MPG with a big block, ain't gonna happen. Maybe you should drive the Vette ocasionally for fun, and buy a Kia???!!

[QUOTE=bubhod]...454 matching motor...[/QUOTE]

My 2 cents - Forget fuel mileage. My car, I'd have the motor rebuilt, the heads cleaned up.  Just the fact its a matching BB, I'd keep it that way.