Any Chevrolet Big Block Experts Out There?

cbxjeff

I have a '71 Camaro with the 454 (probably not original) that I'm trying to identify.  The casting # 14015445 and serial number above the timing chain cover is CG3328876. The casting number tells me that it is a 1978 -1986 (2 piece rear seal) but I can't decipher the serial number.  Can anyone help or just steer me to a 454 forum/club?

Thanks guys,

savage170

The book that I have doesn't give alot of information on that one either other then the c in the serial means that it was ment for a car and that it can be either a 2or 4 bolt main

Ditch-Runner

 I know 1970  some camaro's  had 396 factory installed  rare but they made them   ( sometimes called a 400 ) from the factory 
 454 were never put in a production camaro  except for the aftermarket  dealership swaps and at that time 427's were the most common  . Yenko nickey and motion to name a few  
  I am not a expert by a long shot  but have ran BB chevys in my cars for  at least 40 years ( I have  two  69 Camaro's both  with  454's  one stripped down body and engine  both awaiting my attention my driver has slightly modified   454 60 over  4 bolt steel crank I built many years ago    . 
 I have many books on the  chevys , camaros and engine numbers  and codes but all are stored away some where in the horde and its been 10 years since I looked any numbers up  . 
 I would guess google would be your friend  even finding a forum or pages of info .for what  you seek should not be too hard 
as a kid I would have loved to have had google and youtube .
 sounds like a great project ? toy you have 
best of luck 

TRAP55

https://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm

sxsnuf

I drove a 71 Camaro SS 396 back in the day. In that model year, I only remember seeing them with a 350 or 396. Wish I'd had a 454. Might have been able to catch those damn 440 cudas of the era. The 396 and I couldn't quite get that done. Sounds like you've got a fun project there!

select-fire

You have to drop the oil pan to determine if 2 or 4 bolt. My book of numbers shows no 2 letter BB 454 engines. Most likely a counter exchange.

Smitty500mag

Here is some info I found on the block. 

"They were crate engines, and built with whatever 4 bolt blocks Chevy was producing at the time, and 1978 -1990 was when those crate engines were offered. And by the same token, it could have been the same block used in a light truck with a 454. Only truth is that it's a short deck block."

So it could be a 2 or a 4 bolt main according to the link below. Just according to what was available.

Here is a listing of Chevy big blocks.
https://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm

clays

select-fire said:

You have to drop the oil pan to determine if 2 or 4 bolt. My book of numbers shows no 2 letter BB 454 engines. Most likely a counter exchange.

Not any longer, simply remove the oil drain plug and insert the 5.5mm inspection camera.  It is being done quite often now to verify rare engines.
https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/usb-endoscope-camera-5-5mm-lens-waterproof-ip67-inspection-borescope-snake-night-video-cam-2m-length-for-android-pc_p6392824.html?currency=USD&litb_from=bing_shopping&country_code=us&utm_source=bingshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=bingshopping&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=%5BEN%5D%5BBSC%5D%5BLITB%5D%5Bc2619%5D%5BP%26E%5D(US)(shopping)(L1)&msclkid=1c179393919918448a0dccb49202434a

montanajoe

where's LOKO

cbxjeff

Thanks for the replies guys.  I have a 2 bolt block w/ 2 piece rear seal.  Given that, it's a '78-'86 block.  My problem is that I can't find anything about what seems to be a weird s/n (above the timing chain cover).  What I'm trying to do is purchase new head gaskets.  I have found that are many 454 gaskets and the first pair I bought blocked some of the cooling passages.  At $100.00/pr, I don't want to buy the wrong ones again.  That's why I would like to nail down just what this engine is.