Probably the best place to grind in Pokémon Blue before the E4 is on Victory Road, you'd want to specifically fight trainers in the lower areas to avoid high level encounters. Also, you could go and grind against Pokemon trainers on Seafoam Island and Cycling Road. But I'd personally suggest victory road! also good luck with ur run!
I've played yellow but I beat the E4 only thanks to missingno.