" I'm looking to have a good solid 450 HP or so when I'm done with this rebuild. I want it to run on 89 octane..."
The "557" blocks are said (by some) to be good to 400hp. Some have lived beyond this. Some have failed below it. It's a gamble and YOUR choice. I'd save it, for possible future resale, and build using a 455 block or a non-557 400 block.
You can make 450hp with a 400 cube engine. But, it's so much easier with 455 or more cubes. Plus you can do it at a lower rpm & have more low end torque.
Your call.
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