Overheating Big Block

[mprat]

Well after trying everything, I finally had no choice but to start tearing stuff down and begin searching for the problem. The last thing I wanted to do was to remove the heads. But after removing one head, there was the problem.... The idiots I purchased this crate engine from installed the wrong head gaskets....Seems as my research tells me, all 454 engines after 85 will have the three lower coolant holes open in the gasket, of course mine were not. You know you would think if it has large coolant holes in the head and the block you would notice a problem especially if you do that for a living...... a relief to finally find it, now a really angry call to the engine people, and putting it back together to be able to drive. Thanks for all the help....