I am rebuilding my 455 in my 1971 442 convertible clone and I am not a mechanic by any means as far as building engines. My uncle is the master builder he is trying to save me money. I just want a mild motor because before I messed the engine up it made excellent power and torque to so it will be back stock again he want to do everything that it needs but if it doesn't show wear in places like cam and lifter he recommends re using the old ones what do you all think me personnally if i am spending 1500-2000 I want everything brand new

 

So what happened to your motor??? In my opinion your $1500-2000 budget would be fine as long as it didn't lunch your lower end. I do agree with your uncle, if those parts show no real wear by all means re-use them.

 

Welcome to CO, 455 engines are quite durable and if you don't have serious compression issues or oil loss or anything else then don't fix it if it aint' broke.

 

thanks for the advise, when I first got the car the motor ran very well no blowby, no blue smoke nothing. As a matter of fact it ran to good I live in north lousiana in the rural area and I would take it out on the back roads and lets just say I would have a good time with my new project. I started hearing a little rattlling sounding like lifter tap but it was the back two piston on the passenger side rattling in the motor.

 

So it sounds like you think it's got a rod knock? Are you sure it's not a lifter?

If your uncle is experienced, did he hear it, and agree that that was the problem? Have you taken the oil pan off yet and checked the rod bearings?

It's hard to make good recommendations without more information.

- Eric

 

Plus you have two engine threads going on.