72 455 in a 71 Riv Questions. Opinions needed for an idiot.

After being "out of the car game" for awhile, I've decided to bring the old Riviera back to life.

She's back home about 90 miles away, safely stored in a trusted friend/mechanic's garage for the past 15 years. I've given him the go ahead to dust it off and make sure everything is in order. I'm friggin' excited, my old friends!

But, enough back story. Here's what's getting done to her: It's a 72 block, but stock 70 heads are being put on. Compression ratio, baby! It has an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold with an Edelbrock 750CFM carb. I made the mistake about 15 years ago and "accidently" put a 71 intake manifold gasket on a 72 block (shut up, I was young and didn't know how to check numbers. lol). My mechanic friend is making sure I didn't cause too much damage when it overheated on me back then. It was a time I'd like to forget.

Yeah, I said enough back story, sorry. I would like to add TA 2012 headers, since one of the exhaust manifolds has had a leak for over 20 years anyway. I would also like to add a TA 284 88H camshaft.

With all these additions, is the stock valve train going to be okay? Should I make any mods to the transmission, other than a shift kit? What about power brakes, AC, etc? Will I still be comfy in Midwestern Summers? What other issues am I gonna' need to throw money at? Lol.

I want a nice bragging-rights street and show machine that turns the tires a little faster and harder than stock. Am I looking at close to 500hp?

 

If your block and pistons are ‘71, changing to ‘70 heads won’t affect compression. The difference is in the pistons. If the engine checks out healthy it should like the cam and all your accessories will too. Headers are cool but you need torque, not horsepower, and good used manifolds will be plenty for a low rpm torquer. Do you have a quadrajet? If so have a guru on here build it. If not, find one (‘72-74 455 is ideal) and have it built by someone on here. Avoid at all costs a part store reman. Sell the ‘Elderbrock copperator’ to a chebby friend. Follow Larry’s sticky about timing. Unless you put slicks on it or start doing neutral drops the rest of the drivetrain should be fine (if it’s in good order now). Again, you’re seeking low rpm torque, not high rpm hp. No, you’re not looking at 500hp nor should you be. You will be looking for 500+ ft/lbs of torque at 2800 rpm. Horsepower sells cars but torque wins races. You probably will be happy with a sharply tuned healthy bbb, but if not the next steps are expensive-custom torque converter, better rear gears, posi, aluminum heads, but there’s not much ‘in between’ for a Riv. Maybe a turbo or blower.
Good luck, keep us updated!
Patrick

 

You rock, Patrick! I do not have a quadrajet, unfortunately. I took some bad advice about 20 years ago and switched it out for that Edelbrock. Thanks for the advice. Once my buddy gets it running (hopefully) again, I'll give an update.

 

Be ready to hear that one or both of your heads are cracked from the overheating that took place 15 years ago!

 

Nah, not bursting my bubble at all, Larry. I appreciate the input! My budget could handle the pistons, but probably not the aluminum heads right now. Still need to get her a new paint job. I imagine I'll be happy with new pistons and the stock 70 heads for now. Which pistons would you recommend?

 

Agreed, Steve. Hence why there are 70 heads sitting in the trunk. Lol! Praying for no cracked block...

 

Larry, you are the man! I have a budget of $2,000 or so for the engine. Looks like new pistons are on the table now. Lol. I also want to pull the engine, paint it, paint the bay, etc. May as well add those pistons while it's out! Once I get to the engine-pulling, I'll probably be creating a few posts.

 

Are you doing the work yourself? $2k goes away fast!
Patrick

 

You can save on pistons by going with the hyper-eutectic pistons instead of forged pistons. they should be fine for a mild build of less than 500 HP.

 

Doing almost all the work myself, yes. No body work for me, though. Lol

 

I was considering Keith Black hyper pistons for the future but after reading this thread I'm not a bit wary:

http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/kb-pistons.77410/

Are there other hyper pistons that people have had success with? I've also heard that the Speed Pro forged pistons are now made in India . . .

 

Car's been parked for fifteen years?

Stop working on the engine, verify Brakes, Steering, and Suspension.

Everything that's rubber is likely to be rotted. Body bushings, control arm bushings, seals, belts, hoses, etc.

 

I can report that I have run the KB 357 pistons for 6 years and have put over 6000 fairly hard miles on the motor and have had no issues.

 

For one thing dont call yourself an idiot. Idiots dont own Buicks.

 

This may have to be my signature on here now...

 

Has anyone had any luck with the stock replacement cast 10:1 pistons from TA? I'm seriously considering them as an option. Probably un-notched, right? And I'm still considering the headers and the TA cam just because I want them (lol).

http://www.taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=196

 

Good to know!

 

I just swapped a set of the TA1607-std in my motor. No problems so far.