Thread: 454 build - what intake and cam ?

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Thank you but are valve seals absolutely necessary ?

I see there is a little pocket cut on the top of each guide and a deep grove thread inside each guide for lubrication.

If seals are used these will not get much oil at all.

Will it smoke a lot if run without seals ?

Originally Posted by ceejay

Will it smoke a lot if run without seals ?

Fogging for mosquitos......

.

Okay !! so do I need seals on the intake valves as well as the exhausts or only on the intakes ?

Hello everyone,

The engine is finally done and running.

A big Thank you to Techinspector1 and every one else who advised on this build. This engine was built exactly as advised in this post by all of you.

Here's a link to a video of it running https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Udld1ss1QY

Looks like it runs better than that fan you had running to cool the radiator! LOL...

Great Job!

I've rebuilt a fair amount of engines, the first start is always the best. Nice job and nice stand. Thanks for sharing!

Sweet sound - almost got a bit of potato-potato-potato Harley rump to it

I've also built a few and I still get excited when they fire for the first time.

Great job! Thanks for sharing.

Hello all,

I'm reviving this very old thread of mine.

I built a Chevrolet Mark IV big block 454 engine with the advice and guidance of all of you.

I have only now, installed it into my restoration project.

I need to buy a good reliable distributor for it.

I was thinking of using an original Delco HEI unit.

I have found one with the details below...

Delco Remy HEI Distributor 1103246
661
1977 Chevy Corvette Camaro 350

Will this fit my engine ?

Summit Racing's Delco Remy HEI distributors show that it fits V8's from '55 through 2000. all small blocks and big blocks they made. Someone else (Glenn?) can tell you from experience, but I'd say it'll fit, no problem.

Just for reference, the blueprinted HEI from Summit is just under $100, plus tax and shipping.

Originally Posted by rspears

Summit Racing's Delco Remy HEI distributors show that it fits V8's from '55 through 2000. all small blocks and big blocks they made. Someone else (Glenn?) can tell you from experience, but I'd say it'll fit, no problem.

Just for reference, the blueprinted HEI from Summit is just under $100, plus tax and shipping.

Thank you. I did look at the various different after market options out there and read up a LOT on different forums.

A lot of folks agree that the unbranded or generic distributors are all made in China and not reliable.

The general advice I read was why not use a genuine Delco HEI distributor and install centrifugal weight springs as needed to get the advance suited to your own engine.

I have an aftermarket big block / small block HEI distributor now and it works but is very badly made. It is a lose sloppy fit in the block.

Originally Posted by ceejay

I have an aftermarket big block / small block HEI distributor now and it works but is very badly made. It is a lose sloppy fit in the block.

Up and down or side to side?
If side to side find another distributor, it's worn out. If up and down it needs shim(s) and easy to replace or add on. The pin through the gear can be driven out and the shaft can be pulled and cleaned. Add to shim pack as necessary but go too tight, the shaft should spin with ease.
I'd also carry a spare module as they have a habit of randomly quitting.
I've rebuilt a few over the years with the latest being the one in my 76 Corvette.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Up and down or side to side?
If side to side find another distributor, it's worn out. If up and down it needs shim(s) and easy to replace or add on. The pin through the gear can be driven out and the shaft can be pulled and cleaned. Add to shim pack as necessary but go too tight, the shaft should spin with ease.
I'd also carry a spare module as they have a habit of randomly quitting.
I've rebuilt a few over the years with the latest being the one in my 76 Corvette.

Sloppy fit in the block.. so the shaft of the distributor is too small for the hole in the block.
Surely if we use genuine Delco modules, are they not reliable ? Weren't those cars reliable when new ?
Then what other better more reliable option is there ? stick to points ?

Originally Posted by ceejay

Sloppy fit in the block.. so the shaft of the distributor is too small for the hole in the block.
The end of the shaft fits into and drives the oil pump, it will be a little loose in the block.

Surely if we use genuine Delco modules, are they not reliable ? Weren't those cars reliable when new ?
Like all electronic equipment, solid state devices are prone to failure with heat being the biggest culprit followed by over voltage, voltage spike. So carrying a spare is good protection.

Then what other better more reliable option is there ? stick to points ?

Solid state is greatly more precise than points, so the answer is no.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Solid state is greatly more precise than points, so the answer is no.

Thank you.. the aftermarket distributor I have is definitely too lose in the block. Without the clamp holding it down, it can shake side to side quite a lot in the block where my old points Delco does not.

Back to my original question....

will a Delco HEI out of a 1977 Chevy Corvette / Camaro 350 fit correctly into my Mark IV 454 block ? are the length and diameter and the oil slot near the drive gear in the correct location ?

I will have to find a melonized gear for it as I'm running a Crane hydraulic roller cam

Originally Posted by ceejay

Thank you.. the aftermarket distributor I have is definitely too lose in the block. Without the clamp holding it down, it can shake side to side quite a lot in the block where my old points Delco does not.

Back to my original question....

will a Delco HEI out of a 1977 Chevy Corvette / Camaro 350 fit correctly into my Mark IV 454 block ? are the length and diameter and the oil slot near the drive gear in the correct location ?

I will have to find a melonized gear for it as I'm running a Crane hydraulic roller cam

As I pointed out in Post #84, the GM HEI fits every V8 from '55 through 2000, small blocks, big blocks, all displacements. Chevy used the same shaft dimensions, oil pump interface, and drive gear for everything, so I believe the answer is "YES".

You say "...the aftermarket distributor I have is definitely too loose in the block" but then you ask will a "...Delco HEI out of a 1977 Chevy Corvette / Camaro 350 fit correctly into my Mark IV 454 block." Is your HEI distributor a used GM HEI unit or aftermarket? Define "Too Loose". Have you measured the distributor base on the old point style compared to the HEI compared to the hole in the intake with a pair of calipers? How sloppy is it? Regardless, the "play" you mention sounds like it's the distributor housing base to the intake manifold, not the distributor shaft so it won't affect your timing once locked down. That said, if it worries you at all why not invest $100 in a new HEI unit from JEGS, Summit, or another reputable supplier? Just avoid the Amazon Specials and buy from a good seller. A '77 unit is almost 50 years old!!!

Earlier you questioned the reliability of the HEI units. Back in the early days of electronic ignition the modules in all of the systems were the weak link, and seemed to fail for no reason, but it was usually excessive heat. They've improved through the years, and while a module can still fail the "mean time between failures" is drastically improved. I'm running a GM HEI on the '32 roadster, provided by GM Performance in the ZZ4 package, and I don't bother carrying a spare module. I can get one at any big box (or hole in the wall) auto parts store if it ever does happen to fail. It's just not a worry point to me.

Good luck! It's great that you've got the engine installed, and that you're working towards getting it moving down the road!!