Head No. 1231786 -- supposedly off a 1970 Stage 1. Would this casting number be correct for my 1969 GS 400? Would they change the car's performance, or are the big valves just not worth it on a 400? Photo attached. Exhaust manifold #123899 -- again, supposedly off a 1970 Stage 1. Again, correct number for my 1969 GS 400? Steve
Head number is for 455. Same number as Stg1 heads but most likely you will have 455 standard heads. No use putting Stg1 valves/heads on your 400, not enough room for proper flow. If the 400 is going to be rebuilt, save it and build a 455 for it then put the 400 valve covers on it. Much cheaper!
Fine, that's what I thought but I just wanted to confirm it. Dude on www.buicks.net has the aforementioned heads and exhaust manifolds for sale. Pictures attached are what he sent me. Says they've been sitting around since the seventies -- pulled them off a 1970 GS with a blown motor. Says one valve and one spring are bad. He says he wants $300 plus shipping. His e-mail is mklein@iowatelecom.net -- Steve
Steve, If you are not in a rush, be patient! You can get an entire 455 engine w/all brkts and components from Copher's/ LKQ for $250. That way, you can remove your existing set-up w/all components and rebuild the later model engine. Also, if you need a shortshaft TH400, LKQ in Clearwater just put in a 77 Grand Prix with one. Those heads look like standard 455 heads. Shipping the heads and exhaust manifolds would easily be another $100-125.
Sorry, I misread your incomplete casting # No on the 1st, no on the 2nd, yes they are 70 heads, and the exhaust manifold # is for a 72 & up (though it will work just fine on all BBB heads. :bglasses:
Not interested anymore anyways. Just posted the contact info in case someone else was interested. But thanks for the help. -- Steve
Stock Exh. Manifold Is it a common thing to find that both left/ right side exh. manifolds are cracked? Manifold in question are off my '71 engine? Thanks Dan
