Wanted to give you Buick guys an FYI: I have ported quite a few Edelbrock heads and have been generally pleased with the product and results. Thru this process, recently a potential issue has come to my attention with the Edelbrock aluminum heads. The Buick 455 block has an oil passage that is located on the block deck surface near the #1 cylinder bore. This passage goes down to the front cam bearing. On 455 Buicks this passage is not needed and serves no functional purpose. (Originally on the 400/430 blocks, this oil passage was used to oil the rocker shafts, but the 455 oils the rocker arms via the pushrods.) Unfortunately, depending on the head gasket used and casting coverage in that area, some of the current Edelbrock heads do not completely seal off this oil galley and it can leak/bleed-off an amount of oil back into the engines crankcase. Edelbrock has been made aware of this situation and they are correcting future cylinder heads. Line up your head gasket with the head casting before installation and check for any leakage issues. I advise, just to be safe: The oil passage galley (located on the blocks deck surface near the #1 cylinder bore) needs to be blocked off. This will eliminate any potential issues. I was recently at a trade show and talked to one of Edelbrocks VPs of sales. It was nice to put a face and handshake with a name I have corresponded to many times via email & phone. I asked if there was any interest in making a dual plane RPM air-gap type intake. Still being early in the process of releasing the Buick heads, they wanted to get a better feel for demand, but so far they were pleased with initial response. I was pleased to see that Edelbrock thought enough of the Buick head to have it on display with 6 or 8 other heads from their lineup.
Thanks for the info Greg.. Got any pictures to point out the casting issue, for the guys who have these early sets? JW
Would it be possible or wise to tap the oil feed hole in the block for a screw in plug to block the oil flow?
Generally that's the best way to do it as long as the engine is disassembled. If in the car, pressing in a plug would be a cleaner alternative. Devon
i have ede heads on a 75 block and mine sprays a 1/2 stream of oil from the hole in the head over that hole in the block. can that be the problem me and another guy on this site are having with oiling issues comeing through the pushrods and also i too just like that guy have awesome oil pressure i guess that the guage gets the pressure before that side of block and i use a tee with the factory idiot light. also i'm using orange crush gaskets hit me up i need some answers bad feel free to call 910-381-6652
Update: The last batch of Buick 455 Edelbrock heads that I received from Edelbrock have been retooled to correct the possible oil leak issue described in the original post. With the latest style castings it is not neccesary to plug the oil hole located by cylinder #1.
A fellow Buick friend just brought this old post to my attention. Now, I'm worried about my Edelbrock heads on my 462. I built my motor this past summer and although the heads that I used were new in the box to me when I installed them, I just went out and looked at the casting date on the exhaust port and low and behold, The date is June 5, 2007! So this means that my heads are most likely messed up as well with this oiling problem. Do I have to pull the heads back off the motor to fix this problem or can I pull the valve covers only and fix it? Good Lord knows that I'm not wealthy and to pull the heads back off, order all new TA gaskets, etc... will be an extremely hard pill to swallow... Help me if you can! Thanks for your concern and help, Jim
I'm afraid it's a heads-off fix. What's odd is that Edelbrock's own installation instructions say the problem was corrected for heads manufactured after 3/1/07, so according to them you're fine. http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/6000/60039.pdf Devon
I find it funny that Edelbrock makes a valve cover for every one of their heads except the Buick. Any plans in the works for a new Edelbrock valve cover? Or a re release of the old school finned aluminum covers they made years ago?
Thanks Devon! I'm going crazy here! LOL I went and got out the paper work on my heads and I think you're correct, but, I'm gonna give Edelbrock a call this coming week just to be sure. It would have sucked if I burned my motor up on the first start/break in due to an oil hemmerage inside somewhere without my knowledge. Thanks for your help and thoughts as they are always appreciated... more than ya realize! Jim
New update. Only checked one head earlier so I thought that I might better go check the other one. Its dated as being cast in 2006! dammit, dammit, dammit! I guess I'll be pulling the motor back apart....
Okay, so I'm looking and hoping for a miracle here.... The 2006 dated head that is bolted to the motor is on the passenger side of the block. Cylinders 2, 4, 6, and 8. The good head dated in June of 2007 is bolted down on the drivers side on the block. Cylinders 1, 3, 5, and 7. I noticed that Greg mentioned something about the number 1 cylinder, so, will I still need to pull it and fix it since the old head is on the passenger (even bank) side? Hoping for that miracle! Jim
Yes, you're on the right track...on the 455 the only oil passage that could cause an issue is on the left front near #1. Devon
Wow. Close call for sure. Sounds like you got your miracle. You must have ordered your heads right after they changed them.
Just checked my heads and the casting number (on top of the exhaust port) on both was 07710. This may be a dumb question, but I assume that means July 7, 2010??
Sriley, Yep! Youre correct July 07, 2010 And thanks again from me Devon. I think that I'm gonna be okay. Its amazing because I could have just as easily installed the older head on the Number 1 cylinder side! Its weird how fate can help ya or burn ya.... Thanks for the miracle info! Jim
Ok, that's what I figured but wanted your guys input just to make sure. Thanks for the assurance Jim!!
Jim, I didn't do anything, just glad your toss of the coin was good. For all we know you may not have had any problem whatsover. Devon
