74 Chevy Nova Update 18 - Big Block 454 V8 Engine Makeover

[rikraptor814]

How long did it take you

[talon4wd]

@rikraptor814 I did it in steps so I cannot really pin point how long. I would say a 2-3 weeks because I replaced oil pump and other things while i was doing the engine makeover. Also with the planing and ordering of parts. These things are always work in progress type of projects. Thanks for watching.

[cgrobe21]

Well so far I degreased and wire brushed till my elbows hurt its pretty damn clean to the touch and to the eye, but I want to be damn sure that the paint with be a positive ya know. Where would I get phosphoric acid from? Homedepot or maybe autozone? I'm not sure. I just want to make sure it's definitely going to get paint that's good to go. Thanks for the reply.

[talon4wd]

@cgrobe21 Home Depot....Watch Update Number 29 and 30 for details of product.

[cgrobe21]

Really nice job man. Really nice. Looks great. I want to paint a bare block I have in my garage. Did you prime before paint? Ppl are telling me I don't need primer for this.

[talon4wd]

@cgrobe21 I did not prime the Block. Just degreased, Phosphoric Acid treated than Cleaned with Acetone. Than paint. I agree...No need to prime the block. I have painted several engine blocks in my life and never primed any. Just make sure its really clean and degreased. In my case for this 454, The block had rust. So the Phosphoric Acid cleared the rust and preped the block (by etching metal) for paint. Acetone nuetralized acid and made sure it was super clean.

[draz506]

how did u clean the whole engine and taking all the oil and dirt off ?

[talon4wd]

@draz506 First sprayed it down with a degreaser and with a toothbrush scrubbed it down. Hosed it off with water. Than sprayed phosphoric acid all over it to remove surface rust. Than wiped it all down with Acetone to ensure that it was really clean. Process took 2-3 days. For Tranny, I used a power washer and degreaser. Also used a toothbrush for the hard to reach spots. Mask off all parts that you do not want water to get into with plastic.

[draz506]

@talon4wd great thanks bro

[Commandant02]

what modifications do you have to do to fit a big block in a nova? my dad said it won't fit anything bigger than a 350 without having to change some things around.

[talon4wd]

@Commandant02 I'm sorry to say that your Dad is wrong. The 1969 and 1970 Novas came with big blocks as an option. And the body style is the same from 69-74 (aside to the changes made to the front and rear of 73-74 Novas). I used 1970 Chevy Nova Frame stands and mounts. Thats it. It actually fits nice and snug in there and fills the bay nicely.

[Commandant02]

@talon4wd thanks for the info! i thought it was a bit far fetched but i just wanted to confirm, thanks again!

[chevy5994]

man i gotta say that is very nice, you did a fantastic job, i would like to drop a 454 into my '61 chevy c10 step side. i think it would be wonderful to get power steering on it too, but i have to wait until im done with my current resto on a '71 jeep cj5. but anyway great job, you should be proud

[talon4wd]

@chevy5994 I am very proud. thank you for your comment!

[Thetruejarodavick]

thats nice work im guessing its a show car?  if its a driver is it hard to keep all that clean?

[talon4wd]

@Thetruejarodavick Its not that hard really. If you have seen my other car, the Talon, you will see that its built with the same style. And its spotless with alot of polished aluminum which i did myself. So far 10 years and its still clean enough to eat off it! It only takes 5 minutes to clean an engine bay if you keep up with it and do it often. Yes this Nova will be a Driver with show quality engine bay.

[idependentconspiracy]

Sick



[d006las]

You are a SAVAGE! Thats some serious work you put in. Best update yet.

[talon4wd]

@d006las Thank you. Not the first engine I have made over but it is the biggest engine I have worked on. Alot of fun! My Talon's Engine was also made over.

[xxxMrAwesomexxx]

Looks better than new!