1969 Buick Riviera 430 suggestions....

A 2-barrel on a 430? I'll bet it was a real dog around town. You'll definitely enjoy the pull of the secondary side.

 

Bought car that way, didnt even drive it home due to carb. Figured it was way to small for that 430. Looking for one on ebay as we speak, hopefully I win the bid. But knew I had to have it, I seen a nice project with a great outcome.

 

paul knippen does excellent carb work and is very good with q jets his shop is near you in sandwich il his # is 630-400-4441 tell him rod sent you.

 

____ just got real. What kind of intake is on the engine, is it a 4 bbl intake with an adapter or a 2 bbl specific? How many bolts are on your valve covers? Also, look at the back of the intake or the block just above the transmission bell housing to see what numbers are marked such as 350, 430 or 455. Since we are on the subject is the distributor in the front or back of the engine. Don't rush into buying anything until we can determine what you are really working with. Reason being, Buick Big Block 2 bbl intakes are extremely rare and someone putting a 2bbl intake on a 430 would be even more obscure. So the inquiry is if it is a different engine such as a 1974 455 with a 2bbl, or a 350 with a 2bbl or some other transplant. Which all would have different considerations for parts.

 

Here goes some pics of what Iam working with, love everyones thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks,

 

The photos are telling a whole different story. You appear to have a 455 engine from the mid '70's, maybe '75 or '76, actually could be had from the factory with the 2V carb. The good news is you have more cubic inches that you thought you had. This should be a good foundation to work from and still be fine on 87 octane gasoline.

Devon

 

I just figured dude was trying to save on gas with this little carb... lol...

---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------

So its a 455, how can you tell? More points and tips for me are usefull..

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 PM ----------

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Buick-G...3d6e77&vxp=mtr

Just got this carb off ebay, hopefully I didnt jump the gun on this one. Should be fine on motor or ?

 

There are a few indicators about the engine. Of course it could be a hodge-podge of different year parts, but not so likely.

The horizontal lines stamped into the valve covers started with the 1970 455. Before that the 400-430 had vertical ribs stamped in.

The 2V engine was only available in the mid 1970's.

The blue paint is indicative of a 1975-76 model year. If you can get the casting number off the back of the block, we can look it up.

Here's more about how to identify it:

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/engine_ident_where.html
http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/bigblock_casting_numbers.html
http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/engine_ident_63_75.html


And the carb you bought should be fine once you get a 4v intake, as long as the carb is still wearing all it's original innards. Sometime remanufactured carbs are put together with lord only knows what for jets and metering rods, so you're always taking a chance by not starting with one that is untouched.

Devon

 

I guess when the previous owner had carb installed, he had a manual choke installed inside the car so he would pull knob open when starting to open the choke than push back to close choke. I can elimate that after changing carbs right, really never seen that before also.
Thanks

 

It's much more likely the previous owner found a used 455 engine that came with the 2v carb originally and simply dropped the whole package in where the 430 used to be. The numbers will help us figure out what's up.

Devon

 

Devon, I know you know your stuff , but don't 455 valve covers have 4 ribs on them and 350s have 3 ?

 

Now you have me wondering. Does it look like there are only four valve cover bolts here? BBB has five, 350 SBB has six.

Could this be a 340 small block Buick like this one? The valve covers look the same:



Devon

 

Im going to see if I can get any numbers off the block to see what we exactly have here.... I appreciate all your buick knowledge. Gladly appreciated...

 

that is definately a 300 or 340 engine

 

That's what I was afraid of. Why anyone would cripple a Riv with one is beyond me!!!

Tony, time for a major reevaluation of this project before you spend another dime.

Devon

 

yeah, with that little engine it probably takes that Riviera two trips to haul ass.

 

Thats horrible news.... Any way to be exactly sure on this?

 

Keep looking for casting numbers and anything else per the links I provided. Also, start a new thread in the small block section with your photos asking for ID help.

Devon

 

the valve cover bolts are a dead giveaway. 6 bolts is a 350, 5 bolts is a big block and 4 bolts is a 300-340

 

Personally I'd be looking for a 455 next...especially if you can hear it run before buying.

Devon