Hi all,

Looking to build a 455 for my 69 442-- but also considering doing a 495 stroker.
Thoughts on a kit like these?
The convenience is nice to buy a kit, but open to sourcing parts from a proven recipe, as well.
Would still need to source the right cam.

 

I'd say it depends on who is building it. Yourself? Kit is probably a good idea. Another builder will probably have their own preferences.

 

The kit you pictured would probably be exactly what I would get if I was doing one for a customer. You simply cannot buy the parts separately for the same price. The only thing to be sure of is that the pistons in the kit will give you the compression ratio you want with your cylinder heads.

 

Thank you - I will be working with C heads, with a goal of around 10:1 CR

 

I built a 455 using the Eagle kit. I used the Diamond piston kit at 10.5;1 compression.
Don't order any upgrades. Do those yourself.
Especially the balance upgrade. It needs to be internally balanced. Rods need to be checked and resized also. All typical machine shop work that needs to be done anyway.
Get your clearances correct. I did a few extras along the way.
Mine is 70' W30 motor. F heads, stock intake and Quadrajet.
I had Bill T give me one of his custom 590 lift hydraulic roller cams.
Beat the hell out of it all day on the Dyno and it ran beautiful and consistently.
95° + day and no climate control.
​​​​530/640 on 93 pump all day long. No tuning except for timing adjustments.
PM me if you want more info on the build.

 

^^^^^
Check clearances. The Eagle cranks run on the high side, and the rods are seldom round and in size. Don’t take anything for granted.