Over time, I've seen the passion of Buick enthusiasts as they discuss "the best heads". Consensus was established that the '67 430 heads were the best. Okay, I can go with that. I found a killer place out here in Western Washington called "Buick World" that'll sell me those '67 430 heads for $125.00 per head, cleaned and checked. Before I go diving headlong into these heads, let me ask you guys some questions... Is $125.00 per head a good deal? I haven't looked too hard at finding some as I figured with the heads being so popular, they'd be rare as hens teeth. My other question has to do with "Okay, so I buy 'em. How do I make 'em work for my '72 455?" How DO I do that? Oiling passages, pushrods, etc.? What about the intake manifold gasket? Exhaust Crossovers and water passages? Arrrgh, without any information, I may just stick with some '72 heads. If anyone wants to write a lonnng reply/comment about the heads, I'll be glad to listen, I really want to learn before I make the comittment to purchase 'em. Nathan
I've dealt with Buick World a lot. Great people. But.. I think you are referring to the 1967 430 "big port" heads. I believe they are a different casting from the stock 430 heads. You need to be sure of that. They just might sell you stock 430 heads, while you think you'll be getting the big port ones. They will bolt right on to your 455. You should plug the oil hole in the head with a slug or cap. The intake bolts are smaller than the 455s, so be sure that you have ones that will fit. 455 lifters work fine and 430 and 455 rockers are a direct bolt-on. 430 rockers require the use of TA's hybrid adjustable pushrods. Use 455 pushrods if using 455 rockers.
I believe ALL '67 430 heads were Big Port. 68/69 varied by csating #'s Only problem with those heads are they tend to be brittle and crack. Rocker perches, inbetween valves..... do some searching here - its been covered to death
430 head casting numbers available at this link. http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/bigblock_casting_numbers.html HTH
OK, then. Looks like all 67's are big port. And what Alan said. Yes, they are very prone to cracking. If Buick World checks them over before selling them, do they magnaflux them? I'd gladly pay $125 each for big port heads. But... will they need valve seats? If the valves have been sunk too deep, you may. $250 for the heads + $200? for a valve job + valve seats = more than TA's Stage1 iron castings. Ask Buick World what they mean, and is there a guarantee they are not cracked. Ask to speak with Jim Macy. He drives a 69 Riv and is very knowledgable.
Nathan Do you presently have no heads at all? The difference between the big port heads and others is not much. That is, any port work done on any head will be better than a stock big port. In other words, if any porting work is in your future, I'd start with the later heads and not have to worry about the cracking issue.
TA in the past sold Iron heads. For people wanting stage1 conversion heads look in there catalogs and I think you will see them... I don't think they have them listed online... My buddy bought some from TA about 3 yrs ago. Information may have changed as well so when in doubt call TA.
$1095 a pair with a $200 core charge per head. They are made to order with your choice of valvespring, depending on your camshaft.
When you consider what it costs to rebuild a set of iron heads and get any kind of decent numbers out of them, it doesn't make sense to go this way (unless you just want a stock type rebuild). Why would you put $1200 in a set of iron heads when you could invest $650 more and have aluminum stage 1's? You would have a better head that has the future ability to flow way better if you have some porting done. Also, they can be repaired. Just my opinion of course, but something to think about.
