Starting a 455 that’s been sitting a long time

Discussion in 'Wrenchin' Secrets' started by 69SkylarkGS, Dec 1, 2019.

  1. 69SkylarkGS

    69SkylarkGS Well-Known Member

    I’m getting ready to start working on a lower mileage 1970 455 that’s sitting in my garage on a stand. It’s a complete motor, turns over by hand, was said to be removed from a running lesabre in the 70s and stored in a garage since. The engine looks low mileage and still had the factory spark plugs in it. I’m looking for tips for anything that needs to be done before she goes into my 69 with a 4 speed. I have a set of ta headers, ta billet flywheel and an Edelbrock performer intake I can put on it. I have the original q jet but it will need to be gone through. It’s clean for it’s age but considering it’s sat for 40 years I’ll probably eventually have it redone. I have an AED performance 750 HP carb I’ll throw on it for now.

    I’m basically learning as I go with this car so please keep that in mind. I realize a complete rebuild would be best but that’s just not in my budget right now and I want to drive this car. It’s a street car to cruise in. I pulled the heads off the Chevy 355 that is in the car to put a set of aluminum heads on and discovered a bad lifter which turned into finding a wiped cam lobe. The cam came out. I decided this motor will be pulled out and cleaned of any metal fragments before going back into anything else. I’m ready to put the big block in now.

    My first thoughts are to pull the oil pan to check the bottom end out. Also to clean the pan out. If I post some pictures maybe y’all can let me know if anything looks very wrong? Gasket wise, how far should I go? I don’t know if I can even get another factory size head gasket and I’d hate to replace with a thicker one. I know with a new engine you follow a break in procedure but what about one that’s been sitting for many years?
     
  2. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    It's still stand. Low miles.. Turns over. About all I would do is change the timing chain & gears. remove and clean Oil pan.

    Clean up some of the passage ways in the front cover option

    Rear main seal option.
     
  3. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    If you need to replace the factory steel shim head gaskets talk to Bruno he has a few good used sets he was selling. I bought a set off him myself for my 70 455 build.
     
  4. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Run a high zinc oil (Joe Gibbs, Brad Penn, something other than parts store stuff-not even Rotella).
    Patrick
     
    Quick Buick likes this.
  5. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    With a Wix filter.. AKA Napa Gold.
     
  6. 69SkylarkGS

    69SkylarkGS Well-Known Member

    I appreciate all the responses! The motor has the original steel shim head gaskets on it now but I was debating on what to change before I try to run it. I think I’m going to leave those alone.

    I’ll pick up a timing set and change all the appropriate gaskets with it. The oil pan will be pulled off so definitely a new gasket there. I’m debating on the rear main.

    I’ve got some high zinc oil in the garage already as I was running that in the other motor. I have a whole new container of it because I was going to change it soon. I also run a wix filter on it too so I’ll just grab the right one for the 455.

    I’m excited to resurrect this old torque monster!
     
  7. BBBPat

    BBBPat Well-Known Member

    change the oil and filter, first, pull the plugs and throw some oil in the cylinders, then prime the oil pump with the distributor out WHILE rolling it over with a socket (two people job). You may encounter a damaged valve spring or two from sitting in one position for so long unless it was periodically rolled over. you should also be able to see if it has a nylon or steel cam sprocket. If you get it running, let it idle and get good and hot, then change the oil and filter again.

    If youre going to pull the pan and the front you may as well ring it and do bearings and an oil pump job. Then a quickie valve job. If youre budget minded, leave it alone, otherwise it'll be an $$$ adventure.

    set it up on blocks and run it if youre unsure. water and gas and a battery and it should run.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
  8. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Check to see if the pilot bushing fits in the crankshaft.
     

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