I found a 454 for sale supposed to have 110000 miles on it, 1975 engine 361959 block casting. I am told it needs rebuilt because its been sitting for 10 years but ran when it was pulled. It is complete from carb to pan. The guy wants $500 for it does this sound like a decent price?

 

sounds like a pretty good deal, it's gonna cost a pretty penny for the rebuild though. (aka machine shop, magnaflux, as that good stuff)

 

I spoke to the guy today and did a little seaching $500 is a decent deal not exactly a steal though. He mentioned that mice may have gotten in it I told him I will need to pull off the heads to check it out he said the micewere not in the top of the engine only the bottom... I may go look at it cause its close by and I am curious.

 

Mice wont hurt the motor. You will be cleaning it out when it gets rebuilt. I dont know where you are, but out here in So. Ca. I had a quote for around $3,000 to do a complete rebuilt on my 454, that was for a stock rebuild.

 

My last mouse episode was with a triumph Bonneville I rebuilt, bored out new hepolite pistons (high compression ones), Black Diamond valves ect. I got it done ran it for a few hours parked it in my dads garage for the winter. He got into feeding birds for some stupid reason mice would take the cracked corn up through the Jardene headers and drop the corn into the cylinder. I went to start it in the sping it kicked about a quarter stroke and then was stuck I was stumped I pulled the spark plug and could see the corn through the plog hole. I was pissed off... nottotally at the mice but myself for not pluggeing the pipes. I decided I am not pulling it back apart(they are not the most fun engine to work on) I sucked the corn out with a shop vac poured in the turbo blue and fired it up....... and your right the mice didnt hurt a thing.....

 

That guy selling the engine doesn't know what he's talking about. The Small block is the mouse motor and Big block is the Rat!
Actually, mouse infestation doesn't matter since you're rebuilding it. Price doesn't sound bad at all, but I would still try to twist him more. Stress to him how the acidity of mouse pee could possibly have done some unseen internal damage! That block casting was used in Chevelles, passenger cars and trucks from 1973-85.