How precious is a 455 block/crank??

[Matt Colie]

I and a friend acquired a pair of rust-ball 455s. We were told be the seller (another GMC owner) that both turned over. To me that means that it
could be barred through two full turns. This would be a good indicator of no serious internal damage. little.

While trying bar the crank of one so I could dismount the torque converter in preparation to putting it on a work stand, I discovered it could only go
about 60°. I finally go the heads off and discovered that three cylinders are corroded and one is very badly so. I have not cleaned it up, but I
would be surprised if it cleaned up at 0.030 over size.

I know I can get it apart more to pull things like the crankshaft. But I currently am wondering if that would be a waste of my time.
The heads are G and I haven't measured to see if they are big valve (2.070 as opposed to 2.000), and that intake seat might also be wasted.

Now, I would like the opinion of this forum as to if it is even worth my while to salvage other parts.

If you have an opinion based on experience, I would love to hear it.

Thank You

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[thomas phipps]

Matt, A nice boat anchor? Or, add a glass top and make a coffee table.
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG

 

[Jim Hupy]

The crank, if, it is an agricultural/motorhome engine could be a nodular
iron piece and if standard, is worth $100.00 as a core. Heads are getting
scarce here on the west coach as well. Blocks are high nickel, and not much
goes wrong with them. Still quite a few around. My assessment, anyway.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

I and a friend acquired a pair of rust-ball 455s. We were told be the
seller (another GMC owner) that both turned over. To me that means that it
could be barred through two full turns. This would be a good indicator of
no serious internal damage. little.

While trying bar the crank of one so I could dismount the torque converter
in preparation to putting it on a work stand, I discovered it could only go
about 60°. I finally go the heads off and discovered that three cylinders
are corroded and one is very badly so. I have not cleaned it up, but I
would be surprised if it cleaned up at 0.030 over size.

I know I can get it apart more to pull things like the crankshaft. But I
currently am wondering if that would be a waste of my time.
The heads are G and I haven't measured to see if they are big valve (2.070
as opposed to 2.000), and that intake seat might also be wasted.

Now, I would like the opinion of this forum as to if it is even worth my
while to salvage other parts.

If you have an opinion based on experience, I would love to hear it.

Thank You

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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[johnny]

Aren't new crankshafts available, I thought I saw someplace? If so, and the b ores aren't gping to clean up, toss it.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[bd5av8r]

I'd go new. Why? less hassle with machining issues, and old age. 455
blocks, heads and cranks are readily available from aftermarket suppliers.
I'd rather have new hardware underhood than something of questionable
rebuild able quality. Granted, its your vehicle, but I'd rather err on the
side of something I can depend on.

As for performance improvement, Edelbrock makes aluminum manifolds, carbs
intakes/exhausts, basically an entire "power package" for the 455.

Sammy

On Mon, Oct 9, 2017 at 8:29 AM, Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <

> Aren't new crankshafts available, I thought I saw someplace? If so, and
> the b ores aren't gping to clean up, toss it.
>
> --johnny
> --
> 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

One problem with MOST after market parts. Is that there for applications that aren't intended for our operating ranges, and loads.

Bob Dunahugh

________________________________
From: Bob Dunahugh
Sent: Sunday, October 8, 2017 5:39 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: RE: How precious is a 455 block/crank??

I bought a 403 block, crank, head, and intake last summer that I DID NOT need in any way. ( My 403 has about 9000 miles on it. ) But I knew that someone might need these parts at some point. As you just can't find them when you really need these parts anymore in yards. Plus these parts had been cleaned, and magna fluxed for cracks. These parts can cost a lot from a yard dirty. IF you can even find them at all. Well, last week a GMCer needed a block, head, and intake in my area. Now there his. He's happy. I got my money back plus a LITTLE for my time, and gas. So are your 455 engine parts valuable? It's not a money thing. It's in hopes that someone else just may have saved something that you may need someday. Anyone need a 403 crankshaft that I'm storing for ( it might be you ). Bob Dunahugh Member GMCMI

 

[Totality]

In a similar vein, what would be value of 403 engine in typical parked left for a decade and a assumed failed tyranny (towed in reverse for example)
Thinking long term when I might need one for core.

Pete

> The crank, if, it is an agricultural/motorhome engine could be a nodular
> iron piece and if standard, is worth $100.00 as a core. Heads are getting
> scarce here on the west coach as well. Blocks are high nickel, and not much
> goes wrong with them. Still quite a few around. My assessment, anyway.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>
> I and a friend acquired a pair of rust-ball 455s. We were told be the
> seller (another GMC owner) that both turned over. To me that means that it
> could be barred through two full turns. This would be a good indicator of
> no serious internal damage. little.
>
> While trying bar the crank of one so I could dismount the torque converter
> in preparation to putting it on a work stand, I discovered it could only go
> about 60°. I finally go the heads off and discovered that three cylinders
> are corroded and one is very badly so. I have not cleaned it up, but I
> would be surprised if it cleaned up at 0.030 over size.
>
> I know I can get it apart more to pull things like the crankshaft. But I
> currently am wondering if that would be a waste of my time.
> The heads are G and I haven't measured to see if they are big valve (2.070
> as opposed to 2.000), and that intake seat might also be wasted.
>
> Now, I would like the opinion of this forum as to if it is even worth my
> while to salvage other parts.
>
> If you have an opinion based on experience, I would love to hear it.
>
> Thank You
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
Cary, NC

1978 Center Kitchen Royale.