Blew up the 350....here comes the 455 econo build

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Canadian GS 350, May 5, 2020.

  1. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    Anyone have the fel pro part number for their composite intake gasket for 1972 heads/intake?
     
  2. LARRY70GS

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

    Last edited: May 15, 2020
  3. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    Thanks Larry
     
  4. chrisg

    chrisg Silver Level contributor

    Actually Fel-Pro does make a nice composite intake gasket with the Printoseal construction. I have them in my engine.
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1357
     
  5. LARRY70GS

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

    Very Good, I always say I learn something new on V8 everyday. They are .060" thick.

    The TA ones are available in several thicknesses if needed.
     
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  6. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    On the heads, do the head bolts require thread sealer? Can someone describe their process for installing fel pro head gaskets? What sealer if any? Do I lubricate the head bolts etc? Haven’t replaced heads on a Buick. Thanks
     
  7. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Take what I know with a grain of salt, I’ve only done it twice. If you use a steel gasket, you have to spray a copper coating to help seal the gaskets. I was also recommended to lube the end of the threads with a light oil
     
  8. LARRY70GS

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

    If you look at the Chassis manual, they mention using "Perfect Seal" on the head bolt threads. Looks like it is more for lubrication than sealing. No sealer necessary for the Felpro gaskets. I wonder what Jim Weise uses. With the intake manifold bolts, I just dip them in clean engine oil. I did the same thing with my head bolts when I put my iron heads back on my first motor.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
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  9. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    9BB46813-E83D-4F52-9D4A-D673FBE7CB5C.jpeg Thanks. I can certainly do that I’ve been working on getting this project going. Cleaning timing cover, ordering oil pump shim kit, booster plate. Ordered carb kit from Cliff Ruggles on Friday, get my heads tomorrow.
     
  10. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    5B5710FC-ACB3-499D-8B27-FFA57684D5A0.jpeg Guys - can I skip using this heat shield?
     
  11. LARRY70GS

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

    That is part of heat stove for the heated air cleaner. No RTV around the intake ports, only around the coolant passages.
     
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  12. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    That intake pan came with the 72 short block. I’ve ordered TA intake gasket, will chop this up for a valley pan as per the TA performance recommendations in the back of their catalogue. I have an SP1 intake, but I’ll save that for the 470/482 later.

    I think I’m going to skip the heat shield, as it’s only a fair weather hobby car. I’m going try to block the crossover mostly off as well, plug all the A.I.R. Holes in the heads.

    Amazing how these “small projects” consume so much time........and a few $$$ as well.
     
  13. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    21B0CA12-842C-4B41-9643-9490BE603080.jpeg AAAC570D-3682-4D0C-A41F-84665A0BA76E.jpeg Got the heads today. Now I clearly see the heat riser holes to plug, the A.I.R. Holes to plug.
     
  14. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    A good friend of mine is going to check the spring heights once I get the comp cam springs. Hoping the stock retainers will work for this build.
     
  15. 71staged

    71staged Well-Known Member

    Which shop did you use to have the machining and assembly done on the short-block, Brad? Years ago, I used High Performance Engines Ltd. in Burnaby to do all my Buick engine machining.

    Nando.
     
  16. 71staged

    71staged Well-Known Member

    Not long after I bought my GS in 1982, I began the swap from 350 and Turbo 350 to 455 and Turbo 400. I blew the original engine in catastrophic-fashion on the main street (Cleveland Avenue) in Squamish.

    Old photo from back then, after I had the GS towed to the access lane behind my parents' back yard.

    img029.jpg

    Nando.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2020
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  17. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    Nice car. Hey send me your address so I can mail you that $20 Nando. Yes, my preferred engine guy is Dave at High Performance.....whom is moving now to Mission!
     
  18. 71staged

    71staged Well-Known Member

    Brad: It was only $10, so there's no reason to mail it off as I can wait until we eventually meet. I remember Dave at High Performance. He may not remember me. I was one of the first customers, with a Buick engine build, the shop did back in the early 80's. And some 37 years later that same 455 is still going strong.

    Nando.
     
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  19. Canadian GS 350

    Canadian GS 350 Well-Known Member

    Guy, as I’ll be using my 350 pullies etc, the cars has air conditioning, do I need a long 455 water pump or short?

    Thanks
     
  20. LARRY70GS

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

    Last edited: May 30, 2020

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