I’ve built a few motors before, but this is my first BBB. I picked up a set of 71 standard 455 heads that were supposedly gone through a while ago. Noticed some gouges on the chamber. Are these ok to run like this? Also for reference I’m planning on running these on a used low mile with good oil pressure 75 block. I’m installing a new TA-212 cam & new Johnson lifters, eddy performer, Quadrajet, new timing set, new TA dual groove cam bearings, new gaskets, a built 200-4r with a 2500 stall, and 3.73 posi. Decent combo? Also, are the Fel-pro 8494pt head gaskets ok to use for this combo? Thank you for taking the time, and any suggestions or help here is greatly appreciated.
Did you check the head with a head gasket to see where the cylinder ring lands? That’s a hell of a gouge in the wrong location.
No I haven’t hit that point yet. Still need to buy head gaskets. Was hoping maybe someone here would point me in the right direction, and/or maybe have a machine shop take a look at them.
1. Whatever gasket you select, it'd better seal the differences between the newer block cooling holes, and the older head core shape and coolant passages. 2. Wild Guess: That gouge is right where the fire ring needs to seal. If it can't be planed flat, or filled-in with weld (braze???) and resurfaced, that head is scrap. Maybe I'm wrong. 3. What valve springs are those? Are they compatible with the cam you plan to use? Retainer to seal/guide clearance acceptable? Installed height acceptable? What do the exhaust seats look like? Valve guide clearance/wear acceptable? 4. What valves are those? Stock/welded? Or aftermarket one-piece valves? 5. Not "too" concerned about the corrosion around the coolant passages at the intake gasket surface, but you might want to fill that erosion with some epoxy and then sand it smooth and flat again. Others might fill it in with RTV Silicone. 6. Is the color "off" on my screen, or did someone paint those heads? Kinda looks like there's same-color overspray on one of the valve springs. There is NO WAY I would accept paint on an oil-wetted surface. Paint not applied, can't flake off and cause problems. Paint on the external surfaces is fine.
1. from my research and talking with Tim at TA using the older heads on the newer block is fine with the regular 71-76 head gasket. There’s one coolant hole on the block to head where the head has two. Was told by TA that it’s fine. 2. That’s why I posted this, hoping I can get some good advice. 3. Don’t know what springs they are, but they look stock with a dampener inside. TA-212 can run on stock valve train so I’m assuming the stock springs are fine. 4. stock replacement valves. 5. heads have definitely been painted. Ive seen heads coated on the inside but it’s not my choice to do so. I wouldn’t have done this. I will call a machine shop and ask if they can clean them up. the guy I got them from said he had them magnafluxed and they were fine. I don’t know if the damage/gouge was there before of happened after. Thanks for the response!
That is almost certainly into the fire ring. Those will need welded or they are paper weights. Edit- at least the head with the chunk missing on the end.
Thanks to those that offered opinions and suggestions. I brought the heads to the machine shop today and they are going to fill the gouge with a weld and surface the heads. I opted to have them fully redone there. I don’t like taking chances on stupid bets. the machine shop pointed out some good and some not so good things on these heads. They said they are save-able and it’s only going to cost $300 for the work done to them.
Yes. I have TA Stage 2 SE heads on a 1967 430. All oil mods, include blocking off the oil to the heads through the block (front driver's side) to the top end and facilitating oiling through pushrods. (all and more in Jim's mod thread) https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/400-430-455-block-id-prep-and-oiling-mods.214613/
Did you have to do anything special? I heard that there are extra cooling passages in later heads so you can’t use them on earlier blocks but are these not in the TA heads so not an issue?
I blocked the oil passage to the head on the passenger side, used "Orange Crush" gaskets and oil through pushrods with the TA heads and that was it. The later OEM heads/blocks have oval water passages and I think that is what you are referring to. Not an issue with the TA heads and earlier block, like what I have.
Big ones, I did not do any unshrouding, but then, the '68 didn't come with a 430 or all the goodies, so if I left a few ponies in the barn, I'm still having fun!
Not wanting to steal original guys post but since we are talking heads. I have a 68 430 with the 68 heads. Long story short motor has issues and is out of car right now. Can a guy do the oil mods including plugging passenger side blocking hole going to heads. Continue to use the iron heads but use push rod oiling? So if a guy gets some more money saved up could eventually swap to aluminum heads if they wanted to? Ryan
The mod for pushrod oiling is taping and plugging the hole. If your valve train is good, you could do all the oil mods, tap the hole and fit the plug, then remove the plug and if you ever swap heads, put the plug in and your done. You would need to measure and order the pushrods anyway, no reason to spend money twice. But, yes, you could do what you ask.
