Parts ID

Guys and Gals...


Over the weekend I purchased a 455 Buick engine off of a gentlemen that worked for a Buick dealership years ago. In fact he said this engine sat for over 18 yrs. He also said he barely put any passes on this thing and it was all completely brand new when built. Everything inside still appears brand new!!!

I do race these engines but dont know much about what was available from the factory years ago. So... any help with some part numbers would be great.

Cam......1231304 There are two double grooves just after the first cam bearing journal.

Pistons....Standard bore part number 1238359.

B4B intake.... Are there any B4Bs that are more desirable than the others??? What should I look for???

It also has a 4150 holley on it. Did Buick offer anything rare for the Stage 2? If yes...what was that part number?

Thanks for any information.

 

I'm no expert

I have always heard the Stage 1 had one groove, and the Stage 2 had two grooves on the cam.

:TU:


As long as the intake seals, you have a good one. :TU:


I can't recall if the Holley was an option for Stage 2, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were. Someone out here will tell you for sure.:Comp:


Someone with a parts book should be able to look up those pistons.

All in all, sounds like you have a nice engine.:beer

 

Here's a link to a salesman's brochure for the 1969 GS400 Stage1 and Stage2 options (thanks Alan!). The only mention of the carb involves metering rods, which would indicate a Q-Jet.

Not sure about the later 455 Stage options.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jholthenrichs/stage1-21.jpg

 

Hi John.

Jeff's post seems to jibe with whatever I can still remember about this.

Your cam is definitely a factory Buick Stage 2 - I have the same cam that was purchased new in either in '69 or '70 for my 400 and your numbers and double groove match my cam.

It's been a long time and a lot of brain cells, so if anyone knows differently please correct me, but if memory serves, the only options Buick had available in those days for the 400 were the factory Stage 1 package consisting of the Stage 1 hydraulic cam, heavy duty valve springs, a 60 lb. oil pump spring and a cold-air package, and the dealer-installed Stage 2 hydraulic cam and flat top 11.0:1 TRW pistons ( I had a set of these pistons too - but they're long-gone). They capped it with some "400-4 Stage 2" valve cover decals, which I never used but still have them around somewhere. For both Stage 1 and 2 options I think they also had an intake manifold gasket with blocked exhaust passages and thin .020" steel head gaskets to increase compression a little bit and were more durable.

In 1970 things got more interesting. Buick introduced the 455. They still offered the the Stage 1 package as a factory option, but they enhanced it with the big-valve Stage 1 heads. Then they also offered the Stage 2 package. It was again a dealer-installed option but now it consisted of the big-valve iron Stage 2 heads with the gigantic round exhaust ports, high compression pistons, Edelbrock B4B intake manifold, Holley carb ( I forget the Model #) and Hooker headers for the Stage 2 heads. I believe there was also a small, cheesy (but functional ) hood scoop. The Stage 2 set-up did not come as a "one-size-fits-all" option - it was up to the customer to decide which of the components they wanted installed.

I don't know any of the part/casting numbers for any of these things except for the Stage 2 cam. I'm sure some of the other members can help out with this.

Hope this helps, even if only a little bit.

Larry

 

Thanks guys... Here is a little more info... The block is a 71 code. The heads are 70 Stage 1s. Attatched is a picture (not a good one) of the cam and piston.

 

I did a little more digging and found a part number for the 455 Stage 2 pistons. They were TRW forgings, 12.0:1 compression,
Part # 1394878.

Some additional info:

1) The actual part number for the Stage 2 cam is 1385557. The 1231304 number is the casting number. But the Stage 2 cams did have two grooves.

The only specs I have on the Stage 2 cam are:

Adv. Intake Lift/Duration: .455"/340 degrees
Adv. Exhaust Lift/Duration: .480"/360 degrees
Overlap: 120 degrees

2) The Part # for the Stage 1 cam is 1383853, and it had a single groove.

3) The '70 Stage 2 455 headers were made by Kustom, Part # 2399, not by Hooker as I originally stated.

4) Buick offered Mickey Thompson headers as part of their '70 Stage 1 455 package, which used the big-valve rectangular exhaust port heads. I don't know for sure but I think they were the Super Scavengers.

5) The carburetor could either be a Holley 850 or a re-worked Quadrajet on an Edelbrock manifold. Again I can't confirm it but I'm pretty sure it was the B4B.

6) Other miscellaneous items were 4.78 rear gears (Stage 2), chrome valve covers, Part # 1231542/1543 (Stage 1) and a high performance mechanical fuel pump, Part # 6470098 (Stage 1) .

Larry

 

Thanks again for the info guys....


The carb that came with this engine has a list number of 6R3738B. It is a holley mechanical secondary carb. Does anyone know what this might be???

Thanks

 

I have a Holley Book

But I can't find anything even close to those numbers. Look for others #'s on it. I don't have the book in front of me, but seem to recall numbers like 0-5160 etc.
Dano No:

 

Dan,

Thanks for looking. But I have to apologise for sending you on a wild goose chase. The number I posted was the casting number of the main body. The actual list number is 4781. So I do have a nothing special Holley 850 carb.

But... to me.. things happen for a reason. When I called Holley's tech department, I ended up talking to a guy with the first name of Mike. Turns out Mike is very happy to talk to me because he is glad to talk about something other than a chevy. Yep... you guessed it.. Mike is a Buick fan and turns out to be a member of this board. Thats a great resource for us Buick guys.

So Mike... if you read this... Thanks Again... I appreciate your help!!

Thanks

 

No problem John

It took me longer to find my book than it did to look it up. Besides, I forgot what the book looked like (I used to have a couple of Chevvy tri powers with Holley's in the 80's, which is why I had the book). If I wasn't too lazy, I would have sold on one of the sites. LOL:gt:

 

I just purchased an NOS Stage 2 camshaft in the GM box. It has the 1231304 casting number, but no grooves in the cam right after the first journal. The box is a GM restoration parts box with the correct 1385557 part number. As I understand it, manufacture of these were discontinued after 1983, but there was stock on hand after that date. I do believe that Wolverine Gear and Parts (Crane Cams) will still grind this cam as #85-1385557. Call 800-248-0134 or 386-252-1151 ext 4379. List of $240, probable discounted price of $217. Some people say this cam is a wall hanger, though.

Dan