Hi, I have visited your site on-and-off for a couple of years now. I thought it was time to enter and chat so I can learn something. I am a second generation Buick lover in my family. I grew up riding in my father's '66 Riviera. Fell in love with it and never outgrew it. My older brother later got the Riv in the 70's when he was 16. After watching it sit most of the 80's and start rotting down, I demanded he give it to me or spend money on it while he could. So, in 1992, I used his money and started a back yard restore. He loves Buicks, but doesn't love the mechanical end. I enjoyed trying to learn how to work on it. This got me in the learning process while getting my brother happy that he was getting a part of his history back in good condition. Along the way, it got my father interested in vintage cars again. Worked out well!!! Since getting it in good shape, we have acquired several more Buicks over the years. Too many to list, but the one I am currently getting tired of seeing not finished is my '71 GS 455 Stage 1. The engine is not original and according to the Buick collector I purchased it from is now built to '71 Stage 1 spec. The only thing he did optional was an Edelbrock intake and hei ignition. My goal is a little more HP. I am not a racer or very knowing about it, so I need your help. I have ordered a Holley high fire ignition control box with 50,000 volt coil for the ignition (not installed). Talked with a wonderful man in Minnes. (Sparky) that claims to be the best in the buss. at fixing QJets. So, my 71 stage 1 carb will be mailed off this week to him for custom building. He needs a list of my upgrades and vacumn info. to determine how big the aftermarket cam is. Here are the questions: Is this Edelbrock intake any good? Are Poston or Ta ones better? I currently have a Poston Sdivider intake on a 350, but it is not installed, so I don't know how it performs. Which of these will work best with the blueprinted QJet? I also have an old Offy. 360 deg. dual 4 intake if it would help, but I have heard mixed reviews about them. The Nailheads I have installed dual 4's on gain from it, but I don't know about this 455. Next, I want headers if they will help. Is Poston or Ta the better choice for me? Next, I plan on ordering a set of gears and posi unit for it. I mainly go to local shows or cruise-ins, and not too many interstate trips. Is a 390 gear too low? Will it help over my high speeded rear? Last (probably aren't any left reading this long message), I checked my parts today and found a set of '68 430 heads (cast #1384720). I used my '67 ones this past summer on my 70 driver Riv. and don't know if these 68's are the big ports or not. If they are, would it pay to have the local guy port them and install stage 1 valves? He is a Chevy man, but told me to bring them over and he could fix them. I look forward to any info. you send my way. I have met some Buick people over on Ebay when I sold parts to them and they hold this board in high regards. Thanks for your time. JOhn Ayers
Welcome aboard John! Is your '71 GS a factory Stage1 car? If so, please consider registering it. Thanks, and again, welcome!
Stage 1 Well, sorry from listing it as a Stage 1. Guess I have looked at the emblems so long I think it truly is one now. I bought it from a Buick guy in South Carolina who claimed it was a true Stage 1, but got it home to see the wrong engine in it. Has the correct trans, carb. and did have the correct distributor. Along with the radiator cover with Stage 1 timing settings and breather. But this is all in vein without the original engine now. For sure a true 455 GS though.
trans Never tried to match the serial number of the trans to the car. Lost some interest after seeing the incorrect engine.
Stage 1 Don't get me wrong. I love it!!! Bitter Sweet Mist and a light vinly top. I have enjoyed the car over the years, but I gave up on it being a legit. Stage 1. This guy knew too much about GS cars and I am sure he was in the process of building his own Stage 1. He had an unrestored 70 GSX with no data plate on the firewall. I bought my car and my Mopar buddy bought the GSX. The GSX turned out to be a real GSX!!! Since he was a Mopar man, he sold it and I couldn't afford it at the time. Hate it!!!! Meanwhile, this Buick man that owned all this stuff, (tons of parts worth a fortune), has fell off the edge of the earth and I can't find him to go back and get the remaining parts that I had in the deal. We learn as we get older. THanks for the encouragement!!
above all Poods said-"would it pay to have the local guy port them and install stage 1 valves? He is a Chevy man, but told me to bring them over and he could fix them" Rule #1: It's a bad idea to let a Chevy guy fix a Buick. (I did read your first post all the way to the end)
agree, anyway welcome to the boards youll probably see me around on here alot cause im on the borards daily see you around.
thanks Glad someone read all of it. Long winded, I was. He is a friend of mine that will save me money. I am working with limited funds at the time for this car. He drag races and is the second gen. performance store owner in this small town where our business is. I have discovered online some dos and don'ts of porting buick heads. Pictures and important facts on how to. He says with that info. he thinks there will not be a problem. Arogance plays a factor too since he has done heads for 25 years now. Guess I will find out and I may regret it. Thanks for the welcome. I have a few weeks to play around with my cars so guess I will be a regular on the board too.
