A whole barrage of questions. How can you tell that you have an original 1970 GS455 with the stage one package? I have heard that some people have bought up some stage 1 gear and installed it on their car to make it look real. Was a 3 or 4 speed standard trans a option on the 1970 GS455 stage one? How much would a 1970 GS455 stage one hardtop with matching numbers, low miles, and a manual transmission be? I was thinking about 40-50 is that correct? Thanks for your help.
The VIN does not indicate a Stage1 equipped car. Casting numbers and codes might, if the say, tranny is original and it is a BB coded TH400, I believe. Give Marco a PM and ask him, he'll give you the skinny. If the car were a '70 LS6 Chevelle maybe 50K...in perfect shape. A Stage 1 GS would be about 30K, I suppose, in excellent shape, maybe a bit less. That's a rough guess. rarity and quality are not the only things that make the car valuable, I'm afraid. Popularity is a big issue, too. We all know a GS is better than an SS here, but we're a minority:grin:
For a Stage 1, that the tag that says BB on the tranny will be on the passenger side. It is a black metal tag about 2"x3" on the side of the tranny. Easy to see looking from underneath. There should be chrome valve covers also. The block will have a special code stamped in it on the driver's side along with the serial number between the #5 and #7 cylinder on the top. The code is SS. It may be between #1 and #3 cylinder, I can't remember which one. The carb's number is also unique to a Stage 1. It is 7040246, number is same for sticks and automatics It also has special rods in the carb for more fuel. The distributor was also different, but I couldn't tell you what to look for. OK, I pulled out my 1970 Buick catalogs. According to them, the standard tranny was a 3-speed manual on the floor. The standardd axle ratio for sticks and autos was a 3.64 posi. This will be a 10-bolt rear. Hope this helps. Phil
The distributor number is 1112016 and the numbers for the 3.42 posi(for A/C Stage 1 cars) is OO.I'll have more info soon for you.
The 'OO' rear is 3.42:1 The motor code is stamped on the block between cylinders #5 and #7. Should be 'SS'. Only way to tell stage1 heads is to pull the head and look at the valves. Price depends on condition. Sheetmetal, motor, trans, interior, grille, chrome?
The 1970 axle code for a 3.64 posi was OW. Should be on the passenger side of the axle tube near the center section, under the seats, not on the gas tank side, right guys? Also, if you can pull the heads, the valves should be almost touching. These will be the 2.125/1.75 Stage 1 valves. Regular valves have a definite gap of about 1/4" or so. Phil
Thanks for the help! Now some other questions. Was ther stage one package only an option on the 455ci or could you, for instance have a gs350 or gs400 with a stage one package?
GS400 in 1969 only 1970-1974 - GS455 I've actually heard of a 1968 GS400 Stage1 package that was dealer installed, not factory issued.
I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT IF IT IS A QUESTION ABOUT STAGE-1 CARS THAT MARCO REALLY KNOWS HIS STUFF. HE TAUGHT ME A COUPLE OF THINGS THIS PAST SATURDAY, FACTORY COLORS AND WHAT YEAR DIFFERENT COLORS CAME OUT.THE MAN MUST HAVE A BUICK LIBRARY IN THE TRUNK OF HIS CAR. I ASKED HIM A QUESTION AND HE HAD AN ANSWER IN ABOUT ONE OR TWO MINUTES LATER.HOW DO YOU LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT THESE CARS? I KNOW IVE ONLY BEEN INTO GS'S FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW,BUT THERE IS SO MUCH INFO OUT THERE IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR IT.THANKS ALOT MARCO.TALK TO YOU LATER:Smarty: :TU:
I got that OW from several "Buick" sights with charts of various years. Sorry if I gave poor info. Phil
Phil - 'OW' is 3.54:1 Ken - Thanks for the compliment! You don't need to know everything, you just need to know where to find what you're looking for
No need to apologize Phil, I appreciate your input. This is how we learn by sharing info and open discussion.
It's listed in the 'Guide to GS Buick' by Stephen L Dove. There is a chart that shows all 1970 rear codes. I'd assume the chart came out of either the assembly manual, or the chassis manual. I'll look when I get home.
:error: ou: I misread the book. My chassis manual states that it's a 3.64 rear and 'ON' code, not 3.54 and OW. The quality of the photocopied 1970 axle chart leads a little bit to be desired. Sorry for the confusion. ...Did I mention that I love my chassis manual??? :beer
Sorry Marco, when I was posting the message from work, I inadvertantly put 3.64. I should have put 3.42. You are right,'ON' is the correct code for the 3.64 ratio. I should have known that-after all,I have one of these cars with this ratio!Thanks for correcting me.
