I have a 455 with a 10qt dooley pan, hi torque starter, no heads, and a broken crank...   It ran (briefly) with the broken crank. Heard a light tapping turned it off and found the crank problem.  Thats as far into as I've gotten so far, but I will sell it or parts of.  Heads are about to be sold on E-Bay starting bid $1000 cause they are original F heads.  If it doesn't sell in parts I will get a new crank and heads for it and sell it complete and running...  just need the time to get everything done.  I have all the mounting hardware, basset headers complete with water injectors and T-valve.  I know someone one her inquired about the pan and headers I think, but I have been just too busy to do more than get off the floor and onto an engine stand.

OK ...

Rod thru pan behind starter

you can see the hole behind starter, below/right of dipstick; you may also notice that the starter isn't straight; the rod hit the starter and pushed it out; evidentally shorting out the solenoid and melting the battery cable insulation (I had fire exstinquisher in hand watching the insulation melt and drip off the cable; love the smell of melting plastic).



It came out with such force that it busted the starter housing (HotRod will hate to see this)


and the both bolt channels


Didn't get a pic of this, but the piston, without rod, shot up and compressed the top after hitting the head (no damage to head).

So, so far the shopping list is:
- pan
- piston
- rod
- starter (again)

Oh yeah, battery cable 

The list will likely grow after I pull the engine.

Damn! I totaly missed this thread. Sorry about your luck, I'm not in tears about the starter.

I'm trying for ya Wanabe. No one wants to give up their big blocks this week.... I have a bunch of small blocks though. 3 350's-4 bolt mains, 2 327's-4 bolt main large journals. All with forged steel cranks.
A 350 would do you well despite what all these guys say. I know you're not out to kill anyone out of the hole or top speed. If you're just looking to have a good ole time and be reliable I have some small blocks for you to choose from. And you can have one.

I doubt the 455 was at 450. My buddy will have a set of vortec heads for cheap here pretty soon... so if you want a small block I can get you heads, block, manifold, crank. All for free except the heads. The Vortec's have been flow benched and modified by CFO enterprises and came off a 700HP blown SBC.

You could get an easy 400 out of the small block. Probably for around $1000 finished considering the block, crank, and heads are already here. for your 455 let me call one more person and see if he's still got the one we pulled out of a boat in the middle of the desert last year. We pulled to engine apart and it was perfectly new on the bottom, the top/outside was a little rusted and the hull was SCREWED. But I'll see if the pistons/rods are any good or if he still has them...

FOUND YOU A 455 I SENT YOU A PM! CALL ME WHEN YOU GET THIS WANABE. Should be able to get you all this stuff by this weekend especially if you and/or flytime are coming up this Sunday to Castaic.

thats some fast work

Thanks UNDONE; I appreciate it.

I spoke with UNDONE about this today; now I need some insight. I stumbled into a short block at an auto school for <$200; I was ready to jump on it and went by this afternoon to look; problem is that one piston is missing; now I have 7 good pistons/rods in mine, but I'd guess you can't just mix and match pistons because of balancing issues.
THOUGHTS?

No you can't just mix and match pistons.

Start saving your pennies Tim . For what you want , it shouldnt be a rediculous amount of money . Shop that baby around . Or get yourself one like bobs and accept the boat payment 

-beerjet-

Sounds like you have two options...  complete rebuild and do it as best money can afford... 

or budget! find another piston (should be lots around for 455 with same shape/size must be same piston style and number preferably)
and ballance pistons and rods (very easy and cheaper than a major) I've worked in a machine shop and it can be done!

Just most people like to spend there money on doing it right (because they have the money)...  tight budgets can be worked.
Just don't expect a race motor when your done and you'll have lots of fun for years to come.

If you know anyone with connections with someone at a machine shop, you'll need them to ballance stuff and check out tollerances
before you throw another motor together to find more problems.

Plus it would be alot more work to swap to a SBC or BBC for all the other parts you need to change.
Wish we still had the machine shop, like to help after seeing the look on you and your son's faces.

Hope you get her running again soon !


Rebel

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