In 69, they made a Stage1 400. I was wondering if it was a differently designed block from a nonstage1 400? The wheels are spinning in my head... 67 GS400 Stage1. I have never heard much about them because of overshadowing from the 455 I guess. I know that a 455 stage would look almost identicle, but I would know it isn't a 455. I am just thinking aloud here. Anyone with any info, please let me know Thanks,
A staged GS400 would look just the same except for badges, stickers, and maybe a little chrome. If you want to make a phantom, how's this for an idea... A '67 GS400 Stage1 wagon 4 speed with 4 bucket seats and the rear facing 3rd seat. :Comp:
The engine oiled the rockers the later way like a 455. It also had a stage 1 cam and big port heads. Other than that it's just a 400.
The carb was also jetted differenly, the Distributor had a different advance (and part#), in Automatic cars, the trans was BB coded and had 6 clutch packs, the Fuel pump was different, and a few other odds and ends. I have a 69 specific Stage1 & 2 document specifying all the differences for both the 400 and 430 !! Yes.....a Buick Document specifically stating Stage 2 parts numbers for a 430 engine !! :bglasses: IMHO - since it doesn't exist anyway.....and if you need to "Do a block", do a 455 and call it whatever you want:TU:
Are you dead sure on this? I think that is misinformation I have read in one publication someplace. The Stage1 in 68 was dealer installed cam, valvetrain, distributor recurve, and carb recalibration. In 69 they had the same heads as any other GS400 as well. You may have been lucky and got the big-ports in your 68 GS400, but you may not have too. The 69's all had the smaller port heads. I can't be adamant in this statement, but all of the information I have found other than one article from someplace has stated this. If anyone is sure that I am wrong, don't be shy about saying so.
I've never heard of seen of anything that states '69 Stage1 heads were any different than regular GS 400 heads.....or sportwagon 400 heads for that matter. .....but now that you've got the brain cells bumping.....I wonder if those above are any different than the 430 stuff in the Big cars ???
Re: Are you dead sure on this? My 69 GS400, much to my surprise, have the big port heads with the 430 part number (one of the many) from 1968. My GS was built in March of 69, maybe they had extras left over from 68.... I verified the number on the Atlana Buick Specialties website. This car is all original.
Wierder things have happened from the factory. My uncle bought a new 79 Chevy 1/2 ton with a factory installed 73 LT-1 350 specified for a Corvette. He pulled it anyway and put a 454 in.
vin# Does anyone know if the vin# shows if a gs is a stage 1 car my trans is a bb code don't have the motor ,and the vin shows it was build in flint
unfortunately,....no the Vin# doesn't show Stage or non-stage for 69. The only Definate way to tell a 69 Stage would be either by a window sticker and/or a build sheet. Other than that its a parts matchup. Say tuned......Im going to scan and post my specific documentation detailing the Stage1 and Stage2 package available in '69 for BOTH the 400 and 430 Yes.....you read that right
I have had my 69 Stage 1 since it was 2 years old. The motor was apart in 1977 due to a cracked cylinder head. Was leaking coolant between the intake and exhaust valves on #8 similar to what was discussed in another post. . The build date on the firewall tag is Jan 69 so the motor should have been put together in 1968. It had the correct 1969 casting #'s on the heads, was small valves and did NOT have through the pushrod oiling as it was "thru the head". It DID have the 60 psi oil pump spring, Stage 1 cam/valve springs/pushrods and the larger oil pickup in the oil pan. I can only speak for the motor in my car and not what may have been done with other cars built earlier or later. As to the BB trans, if it is a 69 trans with the matching vin # stamped on the case then it is correct for a Stage 1 car. The Vin itself does not specify Stage 1 in 1969. Hope this helps, Mark
'68 Stage 1 I have an old Hot Rod (Dec '67 I think) with a road test of the '68 GS400. There is a sidebar with info on the Stage 1 program which was ALL dealer add-on stuff - none built at the factory. I promised to send it to Marco but haven't followed through yet (sorry Marco). There are a number of parts listed including undersized bearings, camshaft, oil pump spring, headers?? I can't remember everything, but it was for sure a candystore of late 60's performance parts.
Sooo... 68 had... and 69 had... So 68 had Stage 1 dealer options and goodies (maybe even late 67 just because I am jealous!), and 69 had factory otpion Stage 1. To be honest I didn't even know about the 68's having Stage 1 stuff until this thread.
Someone in touch with Dennis Manner should get the scoop on the '68s I seem to remember hearing it was for designed for model year '69, but as '68 hadn't yet finished their selling year, it was offered through the dealers late year. Totally 4th or 9th hand info.....I'd like more reliable info - like SOMEONE who Actually ordered it from the dealer !!!!
The Stage 1 and Stage 2 options were available over the counter in 1968 (mid year I believe). I have that Hot Rod issue that shows the "Buick Staging" options along with the part numbers. Stage 2 was "not recomended for street use". The part numbers listed in Hot Rod also show up in my '68 parts manual. The parts could also be ordered for the "430" motors. :beer
Soooo May I Ask What the Part #`s are on 430 Heads>? ou: I Have a Set of 68 430 Heads that Were Reworked+Came Back OKIE DOKIE So I Was Told?Quite a Few Yrs Back Now,Then 1 Wrist Pin Went Bad on the Motor(Didn`t Replace Pins)ou: So I Got this 68 430-4 in Peices with a Slightly scoured Cylinder+Slowly Rusting Away :ball: Whats the Easyest Way to Know if there Stage 1 Heads or Plain Ones>I Thought it was Size Valves>?? Thanks for Any Imput,Unless Somebody Hear Needs Any 68 430 Parts Before I Put the Motor Parts on Ebay! Thanks Again, Dave
Do you think you could dig up that copy and maybe list the parts under the Stage 1 options? What month/year Hot Rod was that again? A copy (scan) would be great! Thanks for any info you may have,
