Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
We thought we scored a standard junkyard 454 big block — until the casting numbers told a completely different story. In Part 1 of Paige's 1964 Chevelle big block swap, we decode the AC Delco remanufactured engine tag, uncover a 0.030" overbore that makes this closer to a 461 CI, and verify the cylinder heads are matched despite some suspicious external casting differences.
Then we get into the build — installing a budget aluminum intake manifold and a set of Jegs headers. We weigh the old cast iron intake against the new aluminum unit: 55 lbs vs 20 lbs. That's 35 lbs off the nose of the car.
📢 OneMoreBolt Swag 📢
🔗 onemorebolt.printful.me
What's covered in this video:
🥓 Decoding 454 big block casting numbers & remanufactured engine tags
🥓 Understanding a 0.030" overbore on a big block Chevy
🥓 Budget aluminum intake manifold install (~$170 option)
🥓 Jegs headers install & fitment review on a Chevelle
🥓 Spark plug access tips with headers installed
🔧 Parts Used in This Build (Amazon Affiliate Links):
📌 A-Premium Intake Manifold: 🔗 amzn.to/3L9cciF
📌 Fel-Pro 1212 BBC Intake Gasket: 🔗 amzn.to/4jlXeCq
📌 Big Block Chevy Headers: 🔗 jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/30064/10002/-1
(Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Plan: Budget Big Block Swap
00:11 – Flashback: First Start of the Junkyard 454
02:46 – Pulling the Cast Iron Intake (It's HEAVY)
03:29 – What's Inside? Inspecting the Valley & Oil Passages
05:00 – AC Delco Tag: This Engine is REMANUFACTURED
05:44 – Discovering the 0.030" Overbore Stamp
07:40 – Head Casting Number Mystery Begins
10:30 – Pulling Valve Covers to Confirm Matching Numbers
13:10 – New $170 Aluminum Intake Manifold Install
16:03 – Cast Iron vs Aluminum: 55 lbs vs 20 lbs (35 lb savings!)
19:28 – Jegs Header Dry Fit on the Big Block
21:35 – Testing Spark Plug Access with Headers On
23:18 – How to Reach the Tight Plug with a Special Adapter
🚩 Will It Run? Scrapyard Big Block 454 Shoots FIREBALLS on First Start
🔗🔗 youtu.be/3Rfn-N6YS7E
About the Project:
This isn't a high-dollar shop build. This is hot rodding the old-fashioned way. We are taking a questionable junkyard engine and swapping it into a classic Chevelle using budget parts and our own two hands. If you love a good junkyard engine build or are planning an LS swap vs Big Block debate, stick around!
#junkyardbuild #bigblockchevy #chevelle #454bbc #projectcar
We thought we scored a standard junkyard 454 big block — until the casting numbers told a completely different story. In Part 1 of Paige's 1964 Chevelle big block swap, we decode the AC Delco remanufactured engine tag, uncover a 0.030" overbore that makes this closer to a 461 CI, and verify the cylinder heads are matched despite some suspicious external casting differences.
Then we get into the build — installing a budget aluminum intake manifold and a set of Jegs headers. We weigh the old cast iron intake against the new aluminum unit: 55 lbs vs 20 lbs. That's 35 lbs off the nose of the car.
📢 OneMoreBolt Swag 📢
🔗 onemorebolt.printful.me
What's covered in this video:
🥓 Decoding 454 big block casting numbers & remanufactured engine tags
🥓 Understanding a 0.030" overbore on a big block Chevy
🥓 Budget aluminum intake manifold install (~$170 option)
🥓 Jegs headers install & fitment review on a Chevelle
🥓 Spark plug access tips with headers installed
🔧 Parts Used in This Build (Amazon Affiliate Links):
📌 A-Premium Intake Manifold: 🔗 amzn.to/3L9cciF
📌 Fel-Pro 1212 BBC Intake Gasket: 🔗 amzn.to/4jlXeCq
📌 Big Block Chevy Headers: 🔗 jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/30064/10002/-1
(Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Plan: Budget Big Block Swap
00:11 – Flashback: First Start of the Junkyard 454
02:46 – Pulling the Cast Iron Intake (It's HEAVY)
03:29 – What's Inside? Inspecting the Valley & Oil Passages
05:00 – AC Delco Tag: This Engine is REMANUFACTURED
05:44 – Discovering the 0.030" Overbore Stamp
07:40 – Head Casting Number Mystery Begins
10:30 – Pulling Valve Covers to Confirm Matching Numbers
13:10 – New $170 Aluminum Intake Manifold Install
16:03 – Cast Iron vs Aluminum: 55 lbs vs 20 lbs (35 lb savings!)
19:28 – Jegs Header Dry Fit on the Big Block
21:35 – Testing Spark Plug Access with Headers On
23:18 – How to Reach the Tight Plug with a Special Adapter
🚩 Will It Run? Scrapyard Big Block 454 Shoots FIREBALLS on First Start
🔗🔗 youtu.be/3Rfn-N6YS7E
About the Project:
This isn't a high-dollar shop build. This is hot rodding the old-fashioned way. We are taking a questionable junkyard engine and swapping it into a classic Chevelle using budget parts and our own two hands. If you love a good junkyard engine build or are planning an LS swap vs Big Block debate, stick around!
#junkyardbuild #bigblockchevy #chevelle #454bbc #projectcar
