Good morning guys, I am looking for a pair of used aluminium heads for a Buick 430. TA's Stage 1 or ED's, I have no preference. If the price is right and the shipping not too bad (I am located in Canada) I might step on your offer. Thanks!
Before TA heads were available, many fellows wanted ported and big valve conversions for their old iron heads. They were told the larger valves can't fully breathe due to the blockage of flow on a smaller 400 bore. Likewise, oversize valves may not be fully functional on 430 engines. Long stroke 455 Olds and Pontiac engines are limited due to the smaller bore and sometimes notched the cylinder bore to help flow. TA may install standard valves if you ask them to. You'll still gain 40+ hp!
That is probably a great option I would most probably consider if I'd be close to TA's shop, however by living in Canada that's a little bit trickier to get any kind of mods done by them. My current heads aren't in a bad shape but they would probably need a rebuild to be fully functionnal, and since I am willing to shave weight and get a peppy engine I feel I'd be a tad more logical to save my money and directly buy aluminium heads. But I am greatly open to any tip or input on what I should/could do. FYI the 430 build is going like this : Engine goes in a 75' Buick Electra 430 engine with 0.030 over Poston pistons, stock rods, ARP bolts All the "street" oil mods will be done, crankshaft has been balanced Unsure about the cam for now, and unsure about the gear I will be putting in (currently has stock 2.73 gear) Has long tube Doug's headers + 2.5 dual exhaust system with no H or X pipe, Edlebrock Performer intake, a built quadrajet and a new HEI distributor
In my opinion,for what its worth, is to get a 71 or later 455, everything is the same as a 430 except bore but some oiling mods are done from the factory. Piston availability is better,unshrouds stage1 valves,more cubes, and could probably get just a block for under $200.
The engine is currently out of the car, Pistons are going to be in the next few weeks, headers are already installed, exhaust system as well No cam has been selected yet, gear that are currently in are 2.93 (but will most probably be changed)
That's why I asked the question I did because I was going to suggest the same as greatscat did but had a hunch that you already started the 430 build. Oh well build it and enjoy, or as my old boss use to say "piss with the pecker ya got"
I am still looking for aluminium heads, hit me up if ya got something ! TA or ED it really doesn't matter.
I ran a .060 over 430 for many years. Had a great set of flat top Jahns pistons sold by K/B in the late 60's and early 70's for it that were ancient even when I bought them used, in the late 80's. Really lightweight, about 530 grams or so as I recall. Man that thing would Rev fast. In later years, we switch to a basically identical compression ratio 464.. It only picked up about 20 ft lbs, built identically... (with the same cam and complete top end). On the track, the 464 was maybe a tenth quicker. Both were 13-1, ported Stage 1 iron heads that flowed about 260, 308s cam, SP-1 and a 1000 comp series TQ. Stock rod deals, nothing real fancy, but enough to put the 4100 lbs 70 Stage car into the mid to low 11's at 120 and then my 3100 lbs 87 regal into the mid 10's at 125ish.. Considering the increased structural cylinder wall rigidity of the 430, I always look at that motor as a good option for a bracket engine, where the extra power was really not an issue. I am actually building one with a blow thru procharger right now. That said, for an NA motor, cubes are king, hence why I am building a 482 for my return to the track later this year. The shrouding issue was really a big deal on the 400, nowhere near as bad on the 430. Good luck with it. JW
Great story Jim ! Unfortunately (or luckily!) the 430 I was planning to build turned out to be junk. There was a huge crack near the oil pick up tube so the thing was unsable. I am building a good ol 455 now, with 0.38 over forged pistons from TA.
