I want to convert my 73' 455 to a infamous 70' stage 1

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Always Cool, Apr 15, 2018.

  1. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    I'm blessed to be the 2nd owner of a 73' boat tail 455 all original. The previous owner bought my pride and joy off the showroom floor for his wife, who never had a job, and kept her in the garage. I've had Gladys for the last 18 years and have been more than satisfied with Buick's 45 years of longevity. With 38,000 original miles on the block and chassis why would I complain? I'm in the process of beautifying this “ Champaign Red " pimp mobile back to showroom quality, but I'm at a crossroads. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to, if possible, convert my numbers matching regular 4 double nickel to mighty a “ Stage 1" ? I'm also wondering about a rumour of flawed front case covers that were supposedly made out of some inferior aluminum, as opposed to cast iron like the rest of the block. I'm under the impression that an aftermarket brand is available for a pretty penny, but if true, should be well worth it. Any information or experienced opinions will help.
     
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  2. TexasT

    TexasT Texas, where are you from

    are you wanting more power or just to be able to go to the shows and say it has a stage one?
    for more power I would look into some Ta heads and a more aggressive cam. Or maybe a roller cam and some head porting if you are on the more power side.
    if you just want to tell people it is a stage one, then it is. No additional work needed.
     
  3. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    I'm wanting a true Stage 1, not just a bragging point. I'm wanting a reasonable increase in over all power, torque, and performance. Maybe a total of 400 net horses and 650 ft/Lbs of twist. Also, do you have any thoughts about the oil pump and front engine case cover being made out of aluminum or cast iron and potential failures?
     
  4. Julian

    Julian Well-Known Member

    You better think about going in the motor if you want 650 ft lbs of torque
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2018
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  5. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    What about the case cover issues? Any thoughts?
     
  6. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    The 70 stage 1 455 only made about 16 horsepower more than a 70 non stage 1 455---376 versus 360. A 70 455 only made 460 - 480 foot pounds of torque notwithstanding the 510 max. rating. You have a lower compression 73 engine. You would need a major rebuild and a lot of Franklin Brothers.
     
  7. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    Think all the timing covers are aluminum and interchangeable. With that low miles it should be good. Not hard to check out.
     
  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/oil-pump-clearances-and-oil-pressure.326597/

    400 HP is easy with a moderate cam, but you will need to spin the engine higher to make that. Probably need gears and a torque converter as well. You will be way better off saving your money and buying a set of aluminum heads. Not only will they have the Stage1 valve sizes, but right out of the box, they will out flow most if not all iron heads. Head flow is where it is at if you want to make power. With aluminum heads, making 500 HP is relatively easy.
     
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Why would you want to take apart a 38k mile all original engine that runs fine? I wouldn't take a valve cover off that engine if it didn't leak.

    If its not broken, don't fix it!
     
  10. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    Does that mean that there's no such thing as a cast iron timing cover or fabrication for such a thing? Was there an issue with that particular part with the Buick 455s?
     
  11. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    Wich one is more durable, cast iron or aluminum heads?
     
  12. Always Cool

    Always Cool Active Member

    I know what you mean. But 45 years is a long time. I'm more on the path of preventative maintenance and potential upgrades than anything else. This is coming from the son of shade tree mechanic with class 8 diesel engine oil pumping through my blood.
     
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  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    No difference in durability. Huge difference in power. Head flow is where it's at. I've had my TA Performance Stage1 SE heads on two different engines for 12 years+
     
  14. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    There were no cast iron timing covers for the 455 that I have heard of.
    Only iron covers I heard about are the marine conversions for the V6, the V6 and 350 Buick use the same covers.
     
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  15. KenneBelle455

    KenneBelle455 Well-Known Member

    This right here. No chance I'd mess with a genuine 38k mile car. I'd cherish it and enjoy driving it as the survivor that it is. It's only original once, and you can't go back.

    Those numbers - 400hp/650tq - sound like numbers randomly pulled from the sky because they sound good. Not really a realistic outcome for a gasoline engine of any performance aspirations. In reality, your figures will be quite a bit closer to each other than that. Besides, don't worry about numbers.

    If you really insist on taking this original engine apart and making changes, I'd personally limit my changes to the best factory parts available and leave it at that. All this talk of aluminum heads and such is a little goofy to me for a full size, very low mile creampuff. It would make much more sense to me to use or make some stage 1 heads, matched accordingly with a non-EGR intake, and an appropriate camshaft that will result in a smooth idle. No chance I'd turn your full size survivor into a hot rod and ruin the appeal of a quiet, smooth luxury cruiser such as that.

    But of course it's your car to do with as you please.. but since you came here to ask, I offered my advice.
     
  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I agree. I didn't read the very first post and just came in mid thread. You shouldn't pull apart a 38K motor to hot rod it. Enjoy the car the way it is.
     
  17. FJM568

    FJM568 Well-Known Member

    The only thing I would do is put a new timing chain on it. Not because of the mileage, but the age. Being 45 yrs old, the plastic timing chain sprocket is probably brittle.
     
  18. HotRodRivi

    HotRodRivi Tomahawks sighted overseas

    Find a bunch of stage 1 emblims for the fenders and your good. Is it at least a GS. ? Bucket seats? center councle, the better rally wheeles. Usually when someone opted for the stage 1 package they got a posi rearend. 3.23 posi or a 3.07 one legger.
     
  19. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    And there is the issue of the special stage 1 TH400 transmission.
     
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  20. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Your best bet would be to source another 455 and build that. I'd keep your original engine unmolested.

    Buy a complete 70 455 and you'll have most of the necessary parts.
     
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