455 Stage 2 build has started!

Well, after many years, and making hundreds of calls to guys who knew someone, who heard of someone, ...and tracking down leads across both our countries - I have finally rounded up all the major parts needed for my Stage 2 build!

NOS 455 short block - standard bore required for the undersized Stage 2 forged pistons
Iron Stage 2 heads
NOS Stage 2 cam
8 NOS Stage 2 pistons
Edelbrock B4B - original version
Holley 850cfm - 4781
and as many stock parts from my Stage 1 motor as possible.

The goal: To build a Stage 2 motor as it would have been back in 1970, sitting in a Stage 1 car.

Rob Chilenski, at Stage 1 Automotive in NJ, will be building the motor for me, and has just started cleaning up the old (new) short block.

a few pic's, and I'll post more as the build progress's

 

If I'm not mistaken that's a 75/76 block. Likely a great block to start with. I'm sure Rob will sonic check the walls to be sure.
Ray

 

Cool!

 

What's all that goop all over everything?

 

cosmolene? he said it was a NOS block, and the scallops look later.

 

Yup! Cosmoline it is - a rust preventer. The NOS 455 Short block sat in a crate covered in that 'goop' for almost 40 years.

It melts off at about 45-50 degrees C - has a waxy feel to it.

I'll post more pic's tomorrow - Block just got back from the machine shop and it's all cleaned up.

A nice finishing hone, and the forged Stage 2 pistons will fit like a glove! a loose glove, till the motor is warmed up. I had a very difficult time finding a used block that had the piston bores not worn too much. Even the slightest ridge, bearly noticable to the touch was too far out of spec.

it's a little late, but if I remember correctly they were .005" smaller than standard or 4.307". So it needed to be a NOS block for the build

 

That stuff is a bear to get off.When we bought 10 of those boys in '87 from GM we had to soak the block in a 50 gallon drum filled half way with kerosene for a couple weeks before we could even get the crank to turn.Half of them had bearing issues too.some had the rod bearings installed wrong with the tang on the wrong side,some had nicks in the crank,and one had the main bearing shells reversed,the half with the hole on the cap not the saddle???
So much for quality control.
gary

 

Way cool Mike, your livin' the dream!

John.:TU:

 

My nos block has 2 nicks in the crank. I think it was from the rod bolts when assembled. It's a later block.
Ray

 

Everything has been cleaned up, and yes it sure did take a while!

Assembly should start any moment now, any everything has been completely dis-assembled and checked.

Cool project for sure, it's been planned, re-planned, and seems to have taken so long. I can't wait to here it run!

 

:TU: ,how's about posting a few good shots of those iron Stage_2 heads? :beers2:

 

Yes ,post pics of the heads

 

Will do guys!

I had the Heads sent to Greg Gessler for a good once over. Had a set of springs put in to match up with the Stage 2 cam...I will get a few pic's now that Greg is done with the heads, and post real soon.

 

And please when you fire it up shoot a video for us all to hear what a genuine stage 2 sounds like !!! J

 

Here are a few pictures of the 455 Stage 2 iron heads. just love those heads! everytime i look at the huge round exhaust ports I get excited!:eek2:

I had Greg Gessler put new springs, retainers and locks on the heads to work with the Stage 2 camshaft - apparantly it's very hard on the valve train! slams the valves shut

I also have the Jesel roller rockers on there, again to help with the valve train longevity. All they need is a coat of 'buick Red' and there ready to go! Greg sure does awesome work!:beers2:

My front cover assembly is off to the side, ready to go as well. I picked up a new Stage 1 fuel pump, oil pump kit and booster plate from T/A as well as the pre-fabbed Stage 2 fuel lines - All awesome quality parts.

I think I need the shim kit for the oil pump, as clearances were a tad off - But Rob at Stage 1 Automotive can sort that out for me.

 

Very cool, Mike. And I think you made a really good decision to work with Greg.

I enjoy your updates and look forward to more.

Devon

 

Looking good! What a great project! What is the history on those heads and cam?

NOS slugs are the TRW 12.0-to-1? and I believe the engine ends up at 11-to-1 unless you cut those heads down a bit; do you know the cc's of the heads? Also, a B4B fits those heads? That STAGE II cam duration is incredible! I can't wait to hear that bad boy so hopefully you can post some good audio.

 

Well, as far as I know - the heads were used, and used HARD! they were in great shape though.

The Cam was NOS, picked it up from a guy who had it sitting in an old bag all gooped up with cosmoline on a shelf in his shop. Always intended to use it, but better/newer cam variations were available. It was still in incredible shape when i cleaned it up.

Not sure about the Forged Stage 2 Pistons - they were Genuine GM parts, and I still have the old boxes they cam in. Maybe someone else can add more info about the forged pistons. 12:1 pistons and 57cc heads - I have not done the math yet on compression.

The Cam has some incredible numbers, and I have been told by a few members here that the key to this setup is the headers - making sure the heads can do their job and FLOW!!:beers2: should sound awesome

 

I was just reading the article in the May '70 HOT ROD mag about BUICK experimental engines, and it has the goods in it, check out page 35 :TU: Thers's a picture of the STAGE II parts all laid out.

Anyway, according to one reference I have, the piston for 1970 STAGE II parts was TRW # 1394878.

Part in parcel with 2-1/8" ID headers for optimum flow of that beast is tranny and rear gears; that thing is not going to want to putt around town. It is a track durration cam and I think the recommended rear gear is something like 4.78:1!!! What set up are you installing this beast in?

 

when I ordered the Stage2 package for my 69GS the 4.78 gear was included,even though I have a 4speed.It was floor it and shift,no time to watch a tach.
gary