72-76 Cylinder Head Mods?

Hey guys i just picked up a complete original 455 72-76 block( i think its out of a 72) I need to tear it down still, but anyway everyone wants the Stage 1 heads, they're hard to find or expensive, what can I do to these heads to get similar or maybe better performance as the Stage 1 Heads? This is my first motor rebuild I'm excited and want to get some recommendations. If you have any comments about aftermarket parts about pistons, cam, lifters, rods, etc throw it in with your response. Thanks! I want a 400-500hp mostly street car, I wanna drive this sucker a lot!

 

Chris,

My engine was built using '72 heads. They were ported, and fitted with Stage 1 valves which definitely helped. In conjunction with a static compression ratio of 9.4:1, TA 212, and the other supporting cast members, I was able to surpass the 400hp mark. There is a big difference in the heads from a 72 vs a 76, so once you determine what you actually have, that will make a difference whether you should even bother reusing them or not.

I'm assuming (based on your post) that aluminum heads aren't in the cards for you right now? Maybe some folk on this board might have some decent iron heads sitting around after upgrading to aluminum. That's how I scored mine.

 

Okay, I was reading about porting them and putting the Stage 1 valves in, Im glad you posted about your experience, I wanted to hear it works well. The aluminum heads will have to come at a later time, this is a budget build. If my block and heads are a 72 im fine with keeping them and not finding another set. I have a good cylinder head company by me that will port them.

 

Hi Chris, was this fly wheel hp?

 

No this is to the tires. And im realistic, i think it will be closer to the 400hp mark.

 

Yeah i understand and thats why i said closer to 400hp to the wheels. SO how can i get the most optimal headflow with these stock heads?

 

I have this guy close to me that does port heads out for an affordable price(still getting quote, but everyone says he does great work for an affordable price).

and what does entry level porting mean with the aluminum heads?

 

Yup my bad!!
Edit: Numbers are making sense now, was just thinking the torque would maby be 15 or 20 higher.

 

and what aluminum heads do most buicks run? Edelbrock, TAPerformance?

 

To echo what Larry said, a 500 hp (crank) street engine (pump gas) is attainable with iron heads, but it will take not only substantial work on the heads, but a very well matched overall combo on the engine as well (pistons, cam, intake, exhaust, quench, compression ratio, etc). Stage 1 valves and a little blending will likely fall short. It is much easier with the available aluminum head offerings as the airflow through the heads on these engines are key, and aluminum's flow way better with mild port work compared to irons.

TA heads are tops for these Buicks, but just for an example, I am using Edelbrock heads as I caught them for a smoking deal. Mine were gone through by Greg Gessler, and flow low 3-teens intake and in the 190's exhaust. With 9.3:1 cr, my engine made 532hp at the crank on pump gas with no really trick parts. But the heads were key.

 

After reading that I'm scared to buy edelbrock heads! Haha

 

I appreciate the comments guys, this is the stuff that need to know! I've had good carbs, manifolds from edelbrock but never had heads and I don't want to buy bolts on heads if they're not truly bolt on. I'm gonna have to think about this a bit

 

Larry, the heads you linked are pontiac heads. These are the Buick bare castings:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-60037

Myself and many others here are happy with the E-heads. The biggest problem I've had this far with them is a little bit of lifter noise (the reason for this is well documented and not catastrophic) and getting flack about not buying the TA's from loyalists. Aside from that, no complaints.