Hi, I have a few questions I hope someone can answer. Is a 75 350 engine block supposed to be painted red? (regal) Has anyone heard about aluminum 350 heads from Australia? T A Performance doesn't show 350 forged pistons on their web site. Is there another place to get them? Thank you for any help.
The 75 Buick engines were a turqoise metallic blue. There are no dedicated aluminum 350 buick heads. Theres a company that makes aluminum heads for "I think" the 215 Buick, BUT, the intake port arrangement is different, someone that knows more about this im sure will chime in. From what I've read and heard, production of 350 forged pistons has ended, you CAN get them custom made tho from various manufacturers. Mark
Here's the correct color blue metallic for the engine, even though it is on a V6 the 350's (and 455's) of 1975 used the same color. One year only as in 1974 the engines were Buick Red and in 1976 they were GM Corporate blue. Duplicolor makes an almost exact match with part number DSGM440 Bright Aqua Metallic. <a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m253/BradConley/?action=view¤t=DSC_0350.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m253/BradConley/DSC_0350.jpg" border="0" alt="Skyhawk engine 5"></a>
Brad, I would suggest calling Egge Machine about pistons. They have been advertising they have correct original pistons for the 455 so they may be willing to talk 350 with you. As fro Aluminium heads; I've never heard of them. Did you talk with Gessler or Burke yet?
Well the Custom Diamond forgings are VERY NICE! call them up they can make you a set just like these for about $950 If you are staying under 600 hp then make sure you use the 73-80 style connecting rods since the 68-72 rods will fail if pushed over 550 hp or 6200 rpm for long. If you are adding nitrous, turbos ect then look into a forged rod. I am using these $1300 Custom rods that are much lighter and stronger than stock but pricey: http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5205&highlight=forged+350+rods Another option if you want to save some $ but still get forged rods and pistons is to use Eagle SBC rods, with Ross custom pistons: Engine builder Brian Leibee used an off the shelf Eagle rod at 6.30 long and had Ross make custom pistons for the application, after slight machining this combo has been track proven reliable and the cheepest option so far for forged piston and rods combo:The rod used for the Buick 350 is the EAGLE CRS6300SLW http://www.sciontist.com/ProductDeta...x?id=100005865 or http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/produ...177&CtgID=8085 Just spoke to Troys Engine builder Brian Leibee and he said that it would be no problem to do another setup liek this for someone. The rods are VERY slightly narrowed, bearing tang moved and stock buick 350 bearings are used, the piston is custom made anyways so no problem to go with the SBC pin diameter. Info on the pistons again: The piston builder Ross Racing Pistons. Job card # off the order sheet was 115793. Should help speed the process of ordering. Waited about 5 weeks. Pistons are a true flat top with 4 cc valve reliefs. Engine builder Brian Leibee with Leibee Precision Machine,Phone# 307-362-5049. Tell him Troy sent ya hill take care of ya. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=139310&highlight=casper
A big THANK YOU to all of you for helping out. Lots of information to work with. I had no idea getting forged pistons was going to be that costly and difficult. Time to talk to to the guy working on the block I guess. My bud said "see I told you on the engine color". Well either way it looks like I will have to break a few cobwebs and open my wallet a little wider. My machinist is backlogged 5 weeks so at least I have some time to figure things out. Again thanks for the help Terry
