Yep, there’s no such thing as a stupid question, obviously the person asking the question WANTS to know, or have a reason WHY.
Thanks. I don't worry about it. Only a bit surprised by it. Been here since january 2007.....so far so good.
Exactly. These kind of questions i am asking is to get some knowledge for myself. I have no interest in bad vibes. And like i said i am from across the pond, my english is not perfect.
Your English is good enough, but the actual communication is sometimes lacking The question you are asking probably has more than one answer. I'm sure a lot of factors went into the design of the head, physical constraints being just one. Performance was not the only consideration, and emissions was starting to be a concern even in the late 60's. You would need to ask the engineers who designed this engine line, your question, but if you did, they might look at you sideways. The engines were designed to make great low and mid range torque to move big Buick land barges around. They probably never envisioned us spinning them to 7500 RPM or more, and making 800+ HP. This is 53 year old technology mind you. I'm not sure anyone can answer the question you asked, except the engineers, and like I said, they might look at you funny. I could see them say, because that's the way it had to be given the other design constraints.
Understood. It's just that i compared it to the for example 454ci and saw the difference, already a long time ago but never brought it to the v8 board. Thanks.
The Chevy 454 is a completely different engine. GM made 3 455's, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac had 455's. Different bores, different strokes, different dimensions, virtually nothing interchanged.
I always thought the BBC heads were so big and wide because of the canted valves and angles.. Just how big a piston can you put in one?
It’s like the saying “more than one way to skin a cat” In other words each manufacturer in GM’s divisions AT THE TIME had different approaches to the same outcome, power and torque, and that is what gives each early GM V8 its personality.
Yep. I have read somewhere that the nickel content in the Buick block is also higher than in the 454ci? One of the reasons it is much lighter?
Yes, they are, but they all have the exhaust ports extend out from the head. Here is a picture of the aluminum 455 heads, top to bottom, Buick, Olds, Pontiac
Possible, but I haven’t read or heard any conclusive evidence at this being factual, only repeated “urban legend” I DO KNOW the later Buick V8’s had nickel plated exhaust valves, this is straight from the chassis manual from 1971. Also, all Buick 350 thru 455 used Nodular iron cranks. In the early years Buick used a foundry that cast both gray iron AND nodular iron, hence the reason for the “N” on early cranks. Later years Buick used a foundry that cast ONLY nodular iron, so no reason for the “N” cast into the crank. Just another tidbit of useless info!
I love all this Tech info, this is what the Buick forum is all about. I've learned so much from the members of this site. Keep bring it. VET (Navy)
You are 100% right on Larry. What an innovation for the 1970 period! Wouldn't this make a great history recall if we could have been able to lesson in on the engineers discussing this idea! VET
I believe the high nickel content just made the block and heads a little stronger but the scalloped block for lightness probably just neutralized the strength. I think the heads machined valve seats benefitted by not wearing out as fast?
I also read because of the high nickel content, you don't have to have machined harden valve seats installed. I guess the Buick engineers had a lot of reasons why they added nickel into the Buick block. Hum, a lighter cast iron block, than Buick came out with the aluminum block. Guess they had a mind set to make lighter engines that also disapated a lot of the engine heat too.
I guess the Buick enginners couldn't have emagined their 455's one day having 600-700+ HP either. I'am sure they would have reconsidered making a thin block.
