Beginner Engine Builder: 455 Help!

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by BuickLove, May 29, 2018.

  1. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Hello V8.

    Let me just start this by saying I am very new to this. I am about to embark on a never before done journey by myself, by tearing down a 455 Buick motor. It is between 71-74. I want to post here yo extract all your very useful information, that could take some people a long time to find out(Especially when it comes to Buick engines). I know many of you have years and years of experience with Buick and would love for some guidance during this project. Anything from tips/tricks to special tools, compression, Timing Chain information, ANYTHING! I will post pictures soon to show what I am working with. I would love help on trying to decode the engine and seeing what I really have. Then I would like advice on how to make it better. I think this will be a fun experience for me and I would love to share it all with you through pictures.

    BuickLove !
     
  2. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    We moved this thread to the 455 section of the forum.

    Post pictures of the engine including the casting numbers behind the intake manifold. Also post a picture of the deck of the block around the dip stick hole.
     
  4. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    It's Kyle right? Sorry, I forget names....What machine shop are you going to use? Out of morbid curiosity, what's your budget for this rebuild?
     
  5. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Yes, it's Kyle! Have not looked into local machine shops yet out on Long Island, However I was going to make a post and get some ideas from people on this board who live out this way and have tried someone already. The budget as of now is around 5k , with ability to throw more $ at it, given time/ if needed.
     
  6. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Will do soon, thanks for the reply!
     
  7. Dan Gerber

    Dan Gerber Founders Club Member

    Hello Kyle.
    I strongly recommend that you read through the Jim Weise threads at the beginning of this "Street/Strip 400..." section for a good education. There's a lot of very useful information in them.

    Good luck with your project.
     
    sailbrd likes this.
  8. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Kyle, I would recommend Richie at McBetts. He's in Holbrook and has done both Bruno's (The King) and my engine in my 71 GS. Super nice guy and has been rebuilding engines since cast iron first came out.
     
    Dwayne B likes this.
  9. patwhac

    patwhac Well-Known Member

    Hi Kyle,

    I'm in pretty much the exact same boat as you right now, tearing down my first engine, a 1976 Buick 455. Check out my thread called "455 Core Engine Bore Pictures" in this section or just go here:

    http://v8buick.com/index.php?threads/455-core-block-bore-pictures.334519/

    I'm also photo documenting the process. This board has been great to me, you'll get lots of useful advice! Good luck on your teardown!
     
    BuickLove likes this.
  10. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Okay everyone the 455 has been started on . Check out some pictures , help direct me on what nunbers I need to find to decode this engine please! I will then post pictures of the areas with numbers close up. This is my first time touching an engine. Got it to this state in about 4 hrs haha! Let me know what you guys think so far!
     

    Attached Files:

  11. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Will do man thanks for the information ! Can’t wait to follow your build also!
     
  12. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    There's an 2 letter engine code between spark plugs 5 and 7 on the deck of the block that will tell you what year and what hp engine you have. There should also be 2 digit year on the block in the rear. The cast numbers on the heads will also decode year and hp/comp ratio . post those numbers here and we can tell you all you need to know. I'm guessing it's a 73 or earlier based on the points distributor and red color..
     
  13. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Heads are 73 castings. Intake is for an AIR pump
     
  14. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

     

    Attached Files:

  15. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    can it be replaced ?
     

    Attached Files:

  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Looks like XF. That would be a 1973 455.
     
    BuickLove likes this.
  17. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Is this bad ?
     

    Attached Files:

  18. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    In person it deff says XF
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    No, it isn't bad. None of it makes a bit of difference since you are rebuilding the engine.
     
  20. BuickLove

    BuickLove Well-Known Member

    Why is it all chopped up in the middle with jaggy edges ? Just for my info! Thanks for all the reply’s too
     

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