The Olds 455, Chevy 454 and Ford 460 are really almost identical in performance in stock form given the same pump, hull, etc. It's when you start hot rodding the engines the differences rear their ugly head.
Chevy is the cheapest to build and add HP to, as parts are everywhere and dirt cheap, and every engine shop in North America probably does 2-3 Chevy engines for any sum of all other engines they do combined. Some will argue because parts break so often the aftermarket floods to cash in on this, or the same for "inferior" parts. I beleive it simply stems from the fact that the smalll block Chevy has been in existance nearly untouched for going on 60 years, and the BBC just benefits from "guilt by association" and nearly the same for 40 years.
The 460 Ford is popular, and was with the boat builders, because it's so damn strong to begin with, for one, and you can build BIG hp fairly easily and inexpensively while not changing a thing on the bottom end as far as rods, main caps, crank, etc. In fact, a little birdie told me of a rumour of a dyno pull only engine being built. Stock 2 bolt block, cast crank, twin turbos and hoping for 2000 HP just to prove a point. But it is far more expensive to "Go Big" on this engine vs the Chevy.
The 455 is simply the odd man out in this arena. Probably why you see more of them on CL. BBF and BBC boats command higher prices, and if you notice, at least I do, Pump brand is mentioned early and often if it's Berk, rarely if at all on a Jacuzzi or Panther.
Ray