Just thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone might have some input. I'm looking at a rebuilt 455 and the casting numbers on the heads are 1237663. I have checked atlantabuick.com and these numbers dont add up. they have been checked three times. I'm sure I have the right numbers. Any comments?
While were on the subject... 1238148 I'm pretty sure they are 72's. But what is the casting # for Stage 1's???
I think that is a casting of 70-early 72, before they started using the double scalloped blocks. Stage1 castings should have the same casting numbers as non-stage heads.
OK according to my AERA chlinder head book part #1237661 is off a 455 70-76 withbuick vin p,r,t,u,v,w part number 1238148 is also the same as above no listing for part number 663
ok here is waht i've copied off the buick performance site: 400-430-455 head casting numbers and descriptions by George Nenadovich, Ron Rygelski and Gary Bohannon 1967-9 Heads have small combustion chambers, 68 cc, for the best compression Buick big block heads. The 67 430 heads have casting numbers 1382983, 1382985 and 1372963. These 67 heads are known as big port heads. Some 1968 heads with casting number 1384720 are big port heads. 1970 Heads have good compression, 68 cc. First year to use the large Stage 1 valves. Heads have casting number 1231786. 1971-4 Heads have slightly less compression than previous years, 71 cc. Heads have year cast onto exhaust port at #1 or #8 cylinder. 1973-4 heads have casting number 1241860. 1975-6 Heads have open chambers and low compression, 78 cc. If earlier model heads are to be used on these blocks special head gaskets are required since water ports are not the same as earlier years. Earlier years are round while later ones are oval. Example of water port differences will be shown below in a few weeks.
Jerry, This just shows them as a 72, they don't differentiate the Stage 1's: http://www.atlantabuick.com/CastingNumbers.htm
After seeing the pictures of both heads, I think the heads I'm looking at are either stage 1's or standard valve heads that have been opened up. The clearance on the valves was about a fingernails thickness. I thought the valves should have been a little deeper in the head. Maybe all in the valve grind? o No:
What he said. actually I do have a digital camera.... ricoh Rdc-7 I take most referance pix w/ 1024 fine for detail but have to reduce them quite a bit to post them. Here is one I took(almost in the dark) of my '71 heads with hardened exhaust seats installed -- yet to be cut for the stg 1 valves... have some things to do first...
