im going to be getting a '75 455 block withen a month. its going to be a long expensive build for me with it being my first engine builds. my question is, what would be the best setup for the '75 block? like heads, pistons, cam... all that stuff. id like to get around 400 hp and torque. is this doable in a '75? also, what would be the best way to preserve my progress. since it wont go together right away, how do i keep out the surface rust and other random stuff? its going in a 72 skylark too... thanks... pete
For the whole set up go to TAPERFORMANCE.COM we have everything you need. pretty much the best for buick performance. to preserve it soak it in a light oil or WD and cover it with a trash bag to keep crud out let me know how it goes, im doin the same thing with a 73 455 for pistons you might want to go with JE or if you dont want to spend to much go with the stock 70 pistons they had the higher compression ratio
While this may not be an answer to all of your questions, here is a similar thread I started a while ago: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36444
Just the basics, find some 70- 72 heads, run stock 70 pistons, get a 3 angle valve job ,then cleanup the bowls,and runners,then port match, have the plenum on your intake milled down 1'', then run a cam with around 220 intake duration. and it will run fine in a all stock car. I am reringing a 455 now for my 72 skylark, its a 72 block im useing a good set of 70 pistons, 70 heads and a M1H cam from KB that is just a little bigger then the stage 1 cam and i shouud make at least 400 hp 500 tourque.
Yup, the heads are the key a healthy Buick. The 75 heads had the lowest compression + smog equipment and were generally regarded as the worst of the bunch. To preserve what you've done... Not sure of the right answer, but I think most people just spray the cylinders and mating surfaces with a light oil.
thanks for all the help you guys. is there any books or websites that gives a step by step process on a rebuild?
hello, 455 up grade: use the 75-76 block as the block has the best oil galleys of all 455 buicks, but change pistons to 10.5 to 1 and here is the best shave 5 thousands off the heads of a 70-71 ( must use 70-71intakes or aftermarket) or 10 thousands off 72 -74 and use 72-76 intake with emissions blocked. cooling the intake is amust use 3/4" frost plugs in cross heat exhaust ports in center of heads intake port to keep out heat from carb, send exhaust out tailpipes not intake. Use cam and oil pump choice of kenne bell plate pressure kit or posten buick high volumne pump but research drag on camshaft gears, but the book guide to Buick performance by Dove and read this will do the best for any buick owner, P.S. 3.8 v6 out weighs a 455 by 203 pounds, so regals tend to tip up nose with a 455 and need springs heated or cut. craig
Pete, check this out, http://www.taperformance.com/newpage1.htm. This might help. Ill try and shoot some pics of the block 4u this weekend. I cannot place the pistons thou. They have a very shallow dish. Once I pull out some 430's, Ill have a better idea... Michael
so if i get a set later model heads, when i start getting the parts for the rebuild, like the cam, and pistons, gaskets and stuff, do i get parts for a '75 455 or for a different year.. or does it even matter??? thanks. pete
thanks michael. looking forward to seeing em. whats the name of the machine shop you got the work done at? do you happen to know how many miles it had on it? im pretty stoked. been looken at parts non stop since i talked to you yesterday. :TU: pete
It has about 76xxx miles on it. The only work I had done was cleaned and magnafluxed. It is a virgin 75 block, standard deck/bore and zero lip/ridge. The 73 heads that you are getting should not be to bad for performance, and once I figure out what pistons I pulled out, (dish size), you will have a better idea of what you need. http://www.buickperformance.com/pistons.htm The pistons look like the shallow 70's. defiantly NOT the 74's. The big things you will need is a cam (got the original, but dont think you want to use it), oil pan, and intake. The only xtra I have is #'s matching for my 69 stage 1. I'll get pics off to you tommarow. Michael
I have gotten some video's from my colledge library. They were just basic rebuild technics, like tear down, cleaning, and reasembly. Look for a book if you can't find a video. Goodluck.
Yes. This is a very good book. I just got mine on ebay a few weeks ago. The sellers ebay name is 'books4cars-com". I think their web address is www.books4cars.com . It only cost me like $34.95, and shipping was excellent. The book is great.
Can't you buy that book from Poston. My last catalog has them for $21.95 + $4.75 for shipping. Maybe they don't have them anymore? Tom
thanks for the heads up on the book? im gonna check into ordering one today. what does the book cover? ...and my girlfriend says i dnt read enough...:Brow: :grin: pete
I has all build spec/clearance/tolerance. Aside from that, it also has many tips & tricks for performance builds of the 455 (and the other motors too). It explains various operating systems of the engine, such as the oiling system, the timing/cam components. Its really good.
Even better, if funds allow. Watch and wait for someone doing an aluminum head upgrade. Swap to a 70 piston, match the cam last and hang on. John
