ive posted this question amongst another topic in the bench with no response so here goes another try... #1) i found a 69 430 engine. any engine i find i plan to rebuild. arent the 400-430-455 blocks the same? can i take the 430 and bore it out to match the 455 or even more? #2) there are a lot of guys wanting 69 430 heads for thier 455's. what is the advantages of using these heads? bottom line, if this block can be bored to 455 specs would it be wise to use these heads with a mild port job? sorry for the newbie questions but im a real BB rookie. currently my skylark has a 350-4 and while it is respectable it has to go! i need more of this... :3gears:
I can tell you the stoke is the same between the two motors. Here is a great source for Buick info. http://www.taperformance.com/newpage1.htm
1. The 430's can't always be taken out to 455 spec. Some of the later 430 blocks can, because they had the revised cooling passages (Buick looking ahead to the 455 maybe?). You would have to have the block tested by a machine shop to know for sure. 2. 69 430 heads aren't really the most desireable head. 67 430 heads are, because they came with a taller and better intake port. 69 heads are good heads, but they can be a problem as far as cracks are concerned. The 70-72 heads are a little better to start with for porting. The 69's have smaller chambers for more compression- if I remember right, they are 68cc compared to 72cc for the 70-72 heads. You can use the 69 heads for a mild port job, but they should be tested for cracks before you have any work done. Hope this helps.
thanks guys. i think im gonna go ahead and get this motor. first thing ill do is have the heads checked then go from there. if it cant be bored out very far ill manage, its gotta be better than a small block.
They are good runners. Be aware that you will have to have a piston custom made if you want it to be forged. Cast are available off the shelf.
430 motor i have some 67 430 heads and a 4bbl intake. whats it worth. the whole motor is here. everything but the carb. trany is here as well have the kick down switch and everything. motor not ran in awhile though. ghildebrand@wi.rr.com
no one makes a forged piston for the 430? im sure ill figure something out, ill have fun along the way. im looking to build a pretty strong street engine with aluminum intake, holley carb, cam, headers and so on...
Wish I was further enough along in my project to give you some advice because a`69 430 with TA SP1, Holley Dom, cam and headers is what I'll have once its all put together. Really looking forward to seeing what sort of HP this configuration puts out because it seems fairly easy to rustle up these parts and for those on a budget I'll have right at about 1,000 in the engine for everything Ive picked up. Yay for budget builds!
Yeah, I'm about to do the same thing: I picked up a 430 with factory style forged pistons (yeah, they used to make them) from FloydsBuicks and I'm going to put in new rings and bearings, rebuild the oil pump and open up the oiling passages, and basically put it back together as is. I have a set of 71 stage 1 heads that are going on it. I am going to use a TA 210S cam in it- stock 69 rockers with adjustable pushrods. B4B intake with a Holley 850. I should have around $1200 in it, all said and done. Should be a good cheap motor, hopefully. My dad's car with a 430 sure runs good! It's just a 9:1 430 with a B4B, headers, Q-jet, and kennebell 107 cam. Runs 12.20's in a full weight 70 GS. My next motor is going to be a stage 2SE 464- 10.8:1. John Zerucha is porting the heads for it now. I just found out we have a kid on the way (our 1st) so I need to get the car together. The 430 was the quickest and cheapest way to do that.
I punched my 430 out to standard 455 bore with no problem and used stock stage1 10:1/2 pistons. This worked great and had no overheating problems despite the cylinder walls being thinner.
John, I completely forgot about Earrick having the forged pistons! Glad you mentioned that. As far as getting in touch with them, I hear you. It typically takes about a week to hear back from them, if they respond at all. I don't know what the problem is there. It also makes me hesitant to use them for anything. I hear they Brian is a really nice guy, and that they do excellent work though, so maybe the wait is worth it.
Hey I also have a 69 430 Block/heads that has been bored out for std. size forged 455 pistons (.125" overbore I believe). I did all the oiling mods, got the TA 292-02 cam, an awesome rebuild, headers, SP1 intake, Speed Demon 850 carb, MSD ignition and even with untouched 430 heads it runs awesome. I haven't dynoed it, but it did manage to get my 4800 lb Sport Wagon to run 14.14 @ 99mph with no posi and a lazy tranny. The online horsepower calculators based on weight/times estimate about 370 rwhp, and about 420 hp at the crank. I have no overheating issues either!
