Hi Guys,

New to the forum! I am restoring a 68 442 convert. I am planning to pull the engine (car was restored in '89) It runs fun, just want to make sure everything is good. I was considering "heating it up" a little. The car is going to stay relatively stock. Any suggestions on cams, pistons head work, etc. What kind of HP bumps can I expect without going to crazy?

Thanks,

Craig

 

Drop a $100- $200 for a 455 block and reuse heads and your internals

 

Wouldn't those pistons rattle a bit?

 

lol!!

 

OK, I suggest new pistons as well

 

If your engine is numbers matching to your 442, I would save it and find a 455ci to rebuild. It's a win-win solution

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the replies! It is a numbers matching car. What are the benefits of a 455 block? (besides the cubes and hp increase) how much of the 400 stuff will transfer?

Thanks,

Craig

 

I went through the same thing as you. I didn't have a numbers matching block but I had (and still have) a "correct" 400G block. Everything can be reused except the pistons, which, even if you rebuilt your current engine, you'd have to get anyway. So basically your only cost is the block. If your car is a standard you should limit your search to blocks that have the threaded boss for the Z-bar, which are 68-74 (?) 455's

 

Thanks Mike,

I was looking at your photos yesterday and getting inspired! I have been torn on how stock I want to keep it. It is a driving investment. I want to keep it at top dollar just in case I need to sell it. Numbers matching seems to be the best way to keep your investment.

Craig

 

Benefits of 455ci are: HP & Torque increase, availability & cost (cheapest to rebuild). Purchase a long block, don't rape your current engine for parts or you will regret it