Are there any tell tale signs to look for on a crank that would lead you to think it could be a stroked engine?
Here is a pic of the 455 I recently acquired...

another picture

 

Not to be a smart @$$, but if the heads are off, why don't you just measure the stroke? Measure from the top of the piston to the deck at TDC and BDC. The difference is the stroke.

 

ya, I will do so.

 

What makes you think it’s a Stroker?
Looks like stock rods which would most likely mean stock stroke.
Whether it’s an aftermarket crank or you do it from a stock one, you’ll need to use a different rod, most often a BBC style that has a different journal size. I think you’ll find it’s stock.

 

I measured the stroke with a caliper and it was 4.370
This is my first time getting into a engine. Just looking for guidance in the process.

 

From the deck to the piston at the bottom of the stroke? If so I stand corrected.

 

It’s a cast piston. I wonder if it’s got about a .120” dish ? 😁

 

At the risk of belaboring the point, did you measure first the depth that the piston was below the deck at TDC, then rotate the crank 180 deg to BDC and measure the depth below the deck to the same point on the piston? Typically the piston will not be at zero deck. Subtract the first measurement from the second to get the stroke. I'm kind of with Mark on this one. That looks like a stock crank and rods, which means the stroke should be 4.250".

 

I went back and checked again and found that the dial caliper I used was not zero'd. Anyway 4.250 it is.

 

Yep, stock stroke like I surmised with the stock rods. They’re a dead giveaway.

 

Okay now that thats sorted, can I run a true flat top piston with the E heads and the Engle EP28 cam? Compression should be around 11.5 to 1
Is there enough room for a cam with 555 lift. I know this may be a stupid question.

 

You’ll have a mile and half of valve to piston clearance. But unless you’re running race gas or E85 I wouldn’t shoot for 11.5:1.

 

what piston would you suggest to get the appropriate compression ration for that cam.