[Bad Rat 414]

If I can't find a 454 block I thought about using a 396 block that I have and a 454 crank. Does anyone have any info on this combo? I found this information on the Keith Black page. I can't find them on the Summit site to price them. Does anyone else sell these pistons?

[Blazin72]

Probably because a standard 427 BB or even a SB 427/434 is a better way to go. You might be stuck with having to get them directly from the manfacturer.

[coldknock]

Here ya go.

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/kbpistons_434.html

$375 from them.

Larry

[Bad Rat 414]

Thanks for the link.

[wildman926]

Cool.

Any special clearencing issues, or any issues to consider with the 454 crank in the 396 block?

[Bad Rat 414]

As far as I know the crank counterweights and the piston skirts are the problem. You need to by the Keith Black piston in the above link or have yours piston skirts cut down. I've also been told the Keith Black pistons have the pin located higher.

[bracketeer]

The 396 and 402 blocks were machined to handle the smaller stroke crank. The 454 and 427 cranks will not spin in the small blocks. The 396 crank will go into the 454 though.

[Bad Rat 414]

Originally Posted by bracketeer

The 396 and 402 blocks were machined to handle the smaller stroke crank. The 454 and 427 cranks will not spin in the small blocks. The 396 crank will go into the 454 though.

Then please explain this link...
http://kb-silvolite.com/performance....tails&P_id=110

[bracketeer]

It's a parts website. What's to explain?

The 400 and 350 use the same block. They were not machined the same. But you can build a 383 simply by installing an aftermarket crank. With a stock 400 crank, the rod bolts will generally hit the cylinder walls. So machining or shaving the rod bolts have to be done.

The 396 and 402, the 427 and 454, all use the same block. They are not machined the same. But can be.

[Bad Rat 414]

Originally Posted by bracketeer

The 396 and 402, the 427 and 454, all use the same block. They are not machined the same. But can be.

Because I'm a nit picker and a smart*ss let me correct you. The 396,402 blocks are not the same as the 427,454 block. The cylnders walls in the 396,402 block are not as thick as in the 427,454, plus there are differant generations of 454 block.

[bracketeer]

Since we are nit picking the 400 and 350 do not use the same block either.

[wildman926]

Originally Posted by Bad Rat 414

As far as I know the crank counterweights and the piston skirts are the problem. You need to by the Keith Black piston in the above link or have yours piston skirts cut down. I've also been told the Keith Black pistons have the pin located higher.

So, if you buy the pistons, that takes care of that issue. How is the counterweight issue resolved?

I am curious to know, since I have a Eagle cast steel crank, and some nice truck rods with arp bolts. If I can use them instead of selling them, that would be great in that 396 engine that I have waiting for a rebuild.

[bracketeer]

To accept the longer stroke the webs have to be machined, possible machining to the cylinder walls, and on some blocks the side rails have to be notched.

[Bad Rat 414]

Originally Posted by bracketeer

To accept the longer stroke the webs have to be machined, possible machining to the cylinder walls, and on some blocks the side rails have to be notched.

Ok, I did some asking on another forum. So this is the answer I got to your statement.

"THe crank is not the the issue. 396, 427 and 454 cranks are the same overall dimension (counterweights), Difference is the crank pin location. Pan rail doesn't need clearancing just the bottum of the cylinders to clear the rods. One way to gain the clearance is to use a H-beam style rod."

It sounds like a way around machine work.

[bracketeer]

You may want to check into the cap screw I beam rod. It's cheaper.