average price for a complete rebuilt 455?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by GranSportSedan, Jul 4, 2019.

  1. whats the average price for a 455 engine carb to pan, flex plate to balancer ready to run? i'm talking something in the 400-450 hp range that runs with Q-jet and stock manifolds and pump gas.
     
    matt68gs400 likes this.
  2. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    5500 or so
     
  3. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    Ballpark, 6-10 grand. Low end.

    The range depends on if you are supplying a core.
     
  4. i'm thinking along the lines of having one built by somebody who does it on a regular basis and charges for their service. I have a standard crank and a standard block along with a rear sump oil pan.
     
  5. pphil

    pphil Well-Known Member

    I spent 8000
    30 over forged pistons
    Aluminum heads
    Short headers

    But I assembled it my self

    Hope this helps

    Subtract the heads and headers and exhaust

    4500 range

    AMP did all my machine work

    Scott
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2019
    GranSportSedan likes this.
  6. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I don't wanna know, I never add it up, I'd get pissed:mad:
     
    GranSportSedan likes this.
  7. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    Novice = Double what they expect it should run, and lots of stuff doesn't get done.

    Experienced = Triple what they expect.

    Professional = 1.25 times what they expect. They've learned to estimate high.

    Expert doing this for a living = What they expect. They've learned to estimate REALLY high.
     
  8. '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl

    '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl Well-Known Member

    I paid just under $10k.

    That was me buying 98% TA parts & the shop doing all the disassembly, machine work, assembly, & dyno time.

    Still not 100% doneo_O

    Kyle
     
    Mark Demko and GranSportSedan like this.
  9. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    Looks like rebuildable cores are going for about a grand, Hugger??

    Best,

    Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     
    GranSportSedan likes this.
  10. I found a complete running 73 455 here for $500 so i'm gonna grab it today. also have 72 block. I was thinking 10k might be enough to buy a ready to go engine but that might be a fantasy
     
    ranger likes this.
  11. Philip66

    Philip66 Well-Known Member


    About a month ago I bought a 70 SF engine and BC code T-400 off of Craigslist for $400.
    I haven't torn it down yet but it's complete from carb to pan with exhaust manifolds.
    Seller said Trans had been rebuilt so that's what he was selling with the engine thrown in for free.

    I think it was a deal, but you should still be able to find a good core for $500.
     
    ranger likes this.
  12. GlenL

    GlenL I'm out in the garage

    I'd like to see an itemization of a few builds. There's a wide spread in costs.
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It cost me 8755.00 for my engine. I supplied the cylinder heads (Stage1SE), SP-1 intake, New TA cover, TA Hyd. roller cam and roller lifters, roller rockers, 1000HO carburetor, and SRE Oil Pan. Jim did some additional porting to my heads and intake. That also included break in and dyno session, and shipping to NY. I estimate that the parts I supplied were worth at least an additional 6000.00 or more. So figure about 15,000.00 for an engine like mine, soup to nuts. Probably a bit more today. My engine was delivered in July of 2012.
     
    Kingfish likes this.
  14. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    In the 80s it was a piece of cake...I bought a whole rusty Ohio 70 Riv with 90k....$900 (then parted it)....so FREE...did the heads (porting, valve job) cam and bolt ons....easy 500+ hp....never even did the bottom end....to this day....11.40s....maybe 2k in entire motor
     
    John Stevens likes this.
  15. Dr. Evil

    Dr. Evil Silver Level contributor

    I picked up a 70 SF 455 that had been torn down and sat in a garage but had a set of new 70 standard bore pistons with it. $300

    Picked up another 70 sf 455 for $400 that came with most accessories and a th400

    Home ported heads, new seals, used stock non stage valve's.
    Machine shop honed block, oil passages drilled., installed new TA bearings throughout. TA cam, lifters and stock style rockers.

    I set up the oil pump and timing cover myself with fresh gears and plate from TA.
    TA hei distributor, a $450 proform carb, an early edelbrock intake I found from Craigslist ($225), a few arp fasteners. I'm sure there are a few misc things here in missing and the machine shop is a friend who didn't charge much.

    All that said I have under $3k in mine. I have no idea what mind of power it makes yet but the car sounds good and goes down the road. It's a one wheel wonder for now but the right rear tire doesn't stand a chance.
     
    GranSportSedan likes this.
  16. TABuickMike

    TABuickMike Michael Tomaszewski Jr

    $7000-$10,000 depending on what's provided.
     
    Ryans-GSX likes this.
  17. John Stevens

    John Stevens Well-Known Member

    You & I think a-like Bruce, I've built many that way. Most are still running, being raced. I probably don't have 3k in the engine in my Regal 'course those are early '90's dollars because its still running.......
     
  18. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    John, it's funny when I bought that Riv I brought along an oil filter. Asked the guy if I could change it....he went along with it.
    That way I could listen for bearing knock on start up with dry filter. NO NOISE so I said I'll take it....that was 32yrs ago and it still makes no noise on start up.
    Buick did a good job on most motors they built but I do remember people getting bad ones that died before warranty....but who know what people were doing to them.
    I knew a guy with a 70 Estate wagon that would put in neutral at 40 mph floor it and put back in gear....never killed the motor but transmissions didn't go along with it....
     
    John Stevens likes this.
  19. matt68gs400

    matt68gs400 Well-Known Member

    How can it be $10k for the horsepower (under 450) he’s asking about? Under $7k seems very achievable. You don’t need roller rockers or aluminum heads for that.
     
    chrisg and 300sbb_overkill like this.
  20. patwhac

    patwhac Well-Known Member

Share This Page