72 GS 455 - electric fans/smog pump bracket/HEI

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by Paul A, Jul 21, 2019.

  1. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    I have a 72 GS455 convertible and I need some assistance/advice. When I bought the car the smog pump was removed but the ugly aluminum bracket is still in place and I would like to get rid of it. Can I remove it and use the existing PS bracket to remount the PS or do I need another bracket such as from a 71 or 70 GS455? If so where would I look for one?

    I also want to remove the engine driven cooling fan and replace it with an electric two fan set up. Has anyone installed a set up that works well and keeps the engine cool? I read that a v8 needs a minimum of 26oo cfm and that puller fans are better than pushers. I have an after market B-Cool radiator in the vehicle.

    Final question. I would like to install an HEI and I noticed TA performance has an HEI for the 455 at a very reasonable price. Has anyone installed a TA HEI and if so are you satisfied with the product? I seems rather inexpensive when compared to the DUI HEIs at Summit Racing - $100 at TA performance and $300 for the DUI.

    I would appreciate any assistance. Thanks.
     
  2. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  3. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  4. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    IMO the factory driven fan is best for keeping the engine cool and reliability. If you go electric you will have to upgrade the electrical system and alternator.
    I have read good reports on the TA HEI. Search the site. A factory HEI is a good option if you can find a good one. Repairs/upgrades to the factory one will cost you more than the TA unit. Also remember you cannot use the air scoops with an HEI.
     
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    X2, the mechanical clutch fan is more than enough to cool your engine. the 1972 engines are more prone to running hot because of the retarded ignition timing. That is pretty easy to fix. The Be Cool radiator is a good radiator. As long as the stock clutch fan is working and you have the proper fan shroud, the engine will run cooler with more advanced ignition timing.

    The TA HEI is a nice unit with a performance ignition curve. It is a big cap HEI though, and there are potential interference problems with the front of the intake, upper radiator hose, and as mentioned, the stock ram air air cleaner. You will also need to change the ignition feed to supply full time battery voltage to the distributor. The points use a resistance wire to drop voltage to maximize point life.

    If I was you, I would simply covert my points distributor to electronic ignition and save yourself a lot of work. The breakerless SE fits inside the stock cap, and is very reliable.

    https://www.ss396.com/chevelle/3813...MIo8r5nZLJ4wIVh5OzCh1eLAEgEAQYASABEgIqTfD_BwE
     
  6. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    Hi Steve and thanks for the pictures. Unfortunately I am not sure what I am looking at. I obviously see the PS pump and it is mounted without the smog pump bracket but what I am missing is whether or not you used another bracket to remount the PS pump or simply reinstalled it without the smog pump bracket. I have not removed the PS pump and the smog pump bracket as yet to see what's underneath. Thanks again for the pictures.
     
  7. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    My 72 is a Freemont Ca. car. So thought if I gave you a pic of how it ended up.A.I.R. pump removed
     
  8. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    9A3F6A14-54B7-454F-B54A-28885FFE87BF.jpeg Here’s my pump restored
     
  9. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    Larry, Thank you for the information. With regard to the fan situation, I was also interested in getting rid of the drag on the engine created by the stock fan and having a system than will continue to run even at idle. However, I think I will put the electric fan on the back burner for the time being because the engine is running within limits around 210 degrees in the hot weather. I have committed to the HEI ignition, I bought a B4B intake from TA and will install it soon with my rebuild stock carb. But upgrading the alternator to a one wire unit is appealing but I am not sure of the installation issues that might accompany that swap.
     
  10. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    Bill, Thanks for the info on the TA Performance HEI and I am glad you have heard good things about them. I believe TA would not risk their reputation by selling an inferior product but I still have a hard time understanding why the DUI HEI from Summit is right at $300 and the TA HEI $100. Is the DUI worth 3x the cost of the TA HEI???
     
  11. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    Steve, Thanks for the new picture and if I am reading you correctly the parts in the most recent picture are the parts that make up the smog pump and the associated pieces. The other pictures are pictures of the PS pump reinstalled on the car without the smog pump and parts?
     
  12. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Nothing is free. Good electric fans move a lot of air. That requires a lot of amperage to run, and the alternator will produce more drag to make it. Also, fans are somewhat an impediment to air flow when off. A good clutch fan does not take that much power. The clutch slips and lets the fan turn slower when it isn't needed. They work surprisingly well.

    I don't know how original your engine is. The stock distributor has a relatively small amount of mechanical advance (14-18*) built into it.

    1972IgnitionSpecs.jpg




    That, combined with the 4* BTDC spec for initial timing means the most timing it will have when you mat the gas is 22*, about 10* short of what it needs for best power. Why Buick did this is anyone's guess. In any case, it hamstrings the engine. In addition, the Transmission Controlled Spark system, an emissions device, prevents any vacuum advance at closed throttle, so at idle, timing is 4* BTDC. That relatively retarded timing will cause any engine to run hot. You may be able to save yourself a lot of money and work by just getting the ignition timing right, and the engine will make a lot more power to boot.
     
    scubasteve455 likes this.
  14. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    TA is trying to help the Buick brethren...DUI is trying to make money. my 2 cents...
     
  15. Paul A

    Paul A Active Member

    Larry, Thanks for the info on the electric fans and I think I will put that option on the back burner. No need to spend money unnecessarily. Will focus on getting the timing correct.
    I agree. I have been doing some Internet research and have found nothing that in my opinion justifies three times the cost.
     

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