Factory Stage 2 heads

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by Dennis S, Nov 22, 2005.

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  1. Gary Bohannon

    Gary Bohannon Well-Known Member

    Guy Parquette asked:
    Gary / Mike,
    Is this in book form or an actual Hot Rod magazine?

    My book says:
    Complete book of ENGINES
    5th annual edition by the editors of hot rod magazine (copyright 1969)
    ..."anayzes all of the 1969 powerplants - just as the fourth edition last year studied the '68 engines."
    It has 192 pages of specs, paper bound not stapled, charts, engine photos, and 10 engine build articles, one of which is "Addin' "POP" To The Buick".
    On page 171 is the photo of an extreemly stock appearing Buick under hood picture of a stage 2 engine (heads and headers) with 1969 valve covers with the trishield label 400-4 Stage 1. The inner wheel wells have dust covers, stock fan shroud is there, power steering, quadrajet carb, cast iron intake, heater hoses hooked up, no-power brakes.
    ..........My offer to provide this book to a known Buick authority who will post photos and info on this thread still stands. Appoint one soon. Don't take my word for it; who am I?...not a known guru or historian for sure. Racing Buicks since 1960, cause I love 'em....My motto.."It's More Fun To Win With A Buick".
     
    BeatersRus likes this.
  2. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Here is a better picture of the engine with the Stage 2 heads:
     

    Attached Files:

  3. nickbuickgs

    nickbuickgs nickbuickgs

    Guy , my heads are the same as yours . Welded bosses , no pads casted for power accessories.
     
  4. BUQUICK

    BUQUICK I'm your huckleberry.

    Gary you can send your book to me and I'll scan and post the pages here and send the book back to you promptly. If you don't still have my address, then send me an email at buquick@comcast.net
     
  5. nickbuickgs

    nickbuickgs nickbuickgs

    Mike , What month is that Hot rod ? Can you post a picture of the cover
     
  6. skierkaj

    skierkaj Day 2 Street Screamer

    I think It's June of 1969?
     
  7. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    I don't know what month, I have not found it yet. The pictures I posted are from the Hot Rod magazine article but they are the ones posted in the GSX-TRA.
     
  8. Gary Bohannon

    Gary Bohannon Well-Known Member

    Mr Gary Steele,
    The "ENGINES" Annual book will go to you, my long time Buick friend. You can keep it since I'm getting old and my things will be scattered to the wind or to the dumpster in a few years.
    The Photo shown in the 1969 "Hot Rod" magazine article above, is identical to the one in my book. My picture has no caption or comment to go with it though.
    I will get this to you soon.
    Shure would like to see you again. I'll try to go to BG in September.
     
  9. BUQUICK

    BUQUICK I'm your huckleberry.

    Thanks Gary. I'll still scan the pages of the book and post them here for those that collect this information. You and I will cross paths in 2016 one way or another.
     
  10. skierkaj

    skierkaj Day 2 Street Screamer

    Well, this is an interesting article to say the least.

    I'll let Gary post up the full writeup, but here are a few things I've gathered from reading it. . .

    First; The only mention of cylinder heads are in the very last photo and very last caption of the article. In the entire write-up, they talk about cams and valvetrain, pistons, headers, etc, but they don't mention the heads till the end. What gives? :Do No: Something related to Buick not "endorsing" racing?

    The article has at least 2 different styles of prototype Stage 2 heads in one photo. Both look to be vertical boss style, one with the normal round exhaust ports, and one with rectangular/square style ports. The rectangular port head is missing a valve/spring/keeper for some reason. The caption on that photo says "Don't look for these at your friendly Buick dealer. They are strictly experimental, hush-hush. Someday, they might be available." :Brow:

    It seems impossible to tell which prototype heads are on the engine in the photo. The headers bolted up to them seem to be like the ones from another photo in the article, and are stated to be Mickey Thompson brand. I can't say both header photos are the same set for sure, but It would appear so. They're definitely custom made, as the box collectors bolt on separate to where all the tubes meet. We all know that the standard Mickeys aren't like that, but they must be that brand; same signature collector style.

    I can't say what year the car is in the photo; someone else more knowledgeable on engine bay differences might be able to tell. The car appears to be possibly a gold color or maybe some shade of red.

    Other notable mentions are a Mickey Thompson piston and a 4-Weber carb intake manifold. It doesn't mention the intake being the Mickey Thompson one, but I suspect it is.

    The book's copyright is June 12, 1969. This means Buick engineering must have had at least some prototype heads cast before then.

    So- getting back on topic; I can't say when the public could get their hands on production Stage 2 heads for sure. It seems from the article here that it is a ways off in the future. The heads here are definitely not production pieces.

    One question that looms in my mind: Who is in possession of the car wearing the prototype Stage 2 heads when this shot was taken? Reynolds? Pops? Buick Engineering? It's a full on conspiracy between them all I think.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2016
  11. Guy Parquette

    Guy Parquette Platinum Level Contributor

    Please don't confuse the stg2 head with this experimental head I think is in your photo. Will be interesting to see the book tomorrow John, thanks!
    Ps. Think white GSX with green stripes from MI.
     
  12. skierkaj

    skierkaj Day 2 Street Screamer

    To clarify, I think most all the pieces in this article are experimental. Sort of like the Hot Rod cover (May 1970) with all the engines. There are obviously different pistons, headers, heads, etc that I've never seen before.

    Piecing the timeline together; I know over-the-counter Stage 2 cylinder heads definitely weren't available from any dealership at the time this article was written.

    I know they weren't available to the consumer in May of 1970 either. According to Hot Rod (May 1970), "Stage II components assembled here represent much development time and expense. No plans have been made for production"
    This photo shows the full package with cylinder heads.
     
  13. Guy Parquette

    Guy Parquette Platinum Level Contributor

    A couple things. The engine in your photo is a little different than the engine in the "ENGINES" book. But is in the same car.
    Looks like they added the B4B in your photo.
    In both photos the headers don't look like production Kustoms. The bends are slightly different.

    Also, on page 173 the bottom head looks like mine and Nicks. Where one end isn't finished...but the engine bay pic clearly shows a power steering pump. What gives?

    I wonder if Reynolds "68 car had P/S?
     
  14. skierkaj

    skierkaj Day 2 Street Screamer

    Wow, they are different pictures. I had to look at them side by side to notice.
     
  15. Guy Parquette

    Guy Parquette Platinum Level Contributor

    Also on page 173 showing the experimental heads, the middle head does not have round ports. The ports are flat on the top and bottom, but round on the sides. It's hard to see from the crappy picture, but using a magnifier and light it is plainly seen.

    Pretty cool stuff....
     
  16. wagonboss

    wagonboss Benny Georgeson was 1st

    I have been trying to figure out the answer to Guy's question since early 1971 when I received a letter from Buick telling me that the parts may be available in the future, with a hand written notation that the supply was exhausted. Does anyone actually possess dealer paperwork (invoices) during the time between Dennis Manner's April 1970 memo stating that the parts would be available from dealers, and the time I received my letter from Buick in early 1971?
     
    Guy Parquette likes this.
  17. nick tomlinson

    nick tomlinson Well-Known Member

    7-06-16 001.JPG my friend has the blueprints of the stage 2 heads
     
  18. STAGE III

    STAGE III Lost Experimental 455-4 Bolt Main Block.

    WOW! VERY VERY COOL!!!
     
  19. Rocky Rotella

    Rocky Rotella Member

    Nick, is there a part number in the lower RH corner of that blueprint?
     
  20. wovenweb

    wovenweb Platinum Level Contributor

    Uh oh, who let the Pontiac guy in here? I kid...

    BTW, I have your book. Or a couple of them actually, lol.
     

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