will 455 heads work for a 430

hi i have a 68 430 wildcat and it turns out that i have a crack in one of my heads and i dont have much money so i found a pair of 455 heads that are from a 60-70 or so 455. will they work or what should i do!!!!!!

 

The 430 lifters and rockers have larger cups than the 455. Also the 455 oils the rockers through the pushrods.
You can the 430 rockers (stronger than the 455rockers) on the 455 heads. There is a hybrid pushrod that has different sized ends accordingly. But it needs the proper (455) oil through design lifters do do so. Only available from TA Performance. You will also need to plug the oiling hole on the dr. side deck (easy fix). This is likely the most cost effective solution.
You can find out what year heads they are here.http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/bigblock_casting_numbers.html
Ray

 

Look for tony on this board he has some 430 heads.

 

If you switch over to pushrod-oiling, you'll need to plug the deck holes on both sides of the 430 engine, not just the left.

Devon

 

You are right Devon. On the 400/430's there is one on each side. The 455 has it only on the dr. side. ou:

 

i have the original heads off my 430 (69) and they are for sale also :Brow:

What has to be out for the hole to be plugged?

i still need to do that, but my shortblock is already together.

 

how much are you selling your heads for??

also will i be losing or gaining any performance if i get the 455 heads?

 

I just took apart a 69 430 motor with ONE cracked head. Have a good #1231109 head in good shape that you could use. Has stock valves and springs in it so I would recommend pairing it up with your good head and having them both done right (valve job etc.). $80 shipped to you. Let me know and pics on request.

Doug

 

would i have to get the valve job do you think or what i have limited funds.

 

Almost all of the `67-`71 heads show cracking. If it is minor cracking on the top between the guides, have them pressure checked, often they are still usable.

If you put 455 heads on a 400 or 430, you do NOT have to block the oil passages, the heads already do. But this does force you to pushrod oiling. `70 & `71 heads will go right on, some `72's will work, but you may have to address the smog pump holes on the intake side. `73-`76 have an additional coolant passage that would need to be plugged.

Pushrod oiling with 400-430 rockers consists of using 455 lifters and hybrid pushrods. Hybrids required because of the different ball ends used between the two generations.

 

I recommend blocking the passage(s) due to infrequent complaints of leakage past the gaskets if left alone.

Devon

 

ok since the the 430 have been known for cracking would it be better for me to just go and get the 455?

also would i have to change my cam if i get the 455?

and what about performance ? improve stay the same or what?

and which 455 heads will be the most compatable and does anyone have any of those?

or stage 1 or anything lol?

 

HAVE TO? No. This is the driver side head from the motor discussed here:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=116283. All compression readings were good on this side before I took it apart. Once apart the driver side head gasket and all the cylinders were in good shape. If you just want to get the car running again for the least amount of $$$, you should be able to clean it up by hand, throw on new head gaskets and bolt it back together.

SHOULD YOU? Probably, but if you reuse the stock springs and valves, it shouldn't cost you more than $150-$200 for a good valve job. Considering the time it takes to pull it apart and put it back together, it's money well spent IMHO.

 

what about the combustion chamber, will anything happen with that will it match all up?

 

Yep, no problem.

Devon

 

If you swap, you'll need 455-specific intake manifold bolts. The 430 heads use a smaller diameter bolt to hold the intake down. I never plugged my 430 holes and never had a leak problem.

Use new ARP head bolts, too.

 

I found a pair of 455 stage one will there be any problem with those and my 430??

also will i have to change me cam now?

 

Other than the oiling issue, 430 and 455 heads are pretty much identical. No performance advantage one way or the other. Again, other than the oiling differences they interchange with no other issues.
As far as Stage 1 heads, you may not see as much improvement on a 430 compared to adding them to a 455, because the larger valves are pretty close to the bore in a 430 and end up fairly shrouded.

There is no "need" to change your cam, but while everything is apart, that's an easy upgrade.

 

should i get solid lifters or are they too much of a hassel. i heard that you get more power from them

 

Not unless you want to spend about $1000 for new solid cam, lifters, and adjustable roller rockers.