72 Riviera GS (ie: factory stage one motor) Throw block away and repair stage one head? :ball: The Details.... Here's what I found: Pulled driver-side head off and found head gasket blown out between cyls 3 and 5 and also from 3 through to push-rods/valley. Cracked between chamber 3 & 5 on the head at the gasket face and between bore 3 & 5 at the top of the block (once again, at the head gasket face). Cracks are not deep (less than 1/4 inch down 3 and 5's bore) nor much wider than a few hairs breadth. I don't think they go through to water jacket as engine did run rough for several hours total without coolant loss - over a period of months (hardly driven at all and off the road (legally) for months). No condensation/greysludge in oil or under oil filler cap/ rocker cover either. smoked light grey/white on driver side exhaust pipe too. Question: the block crack - a job for 'cement' ? o No: (I understand welding is an engineering nightmare. A financial nightmare for poor me (lack $$$)). Car is just kept for occasional cruise - family heirloom. Don't intend to do much more than get a full 400hp out of it and restore it's drop-dead gorgous looks. :3gears: Please bare in mind that I'm on the other side of our beautiful planet, and Buicks of all kinds are very rare here. I value and appreciate expert opinion and comments that point in that direction. :Smarty: The Riv is too, too beautiful to junk. Could arrange to post photos...
Thanks, George! Why store it... you think a Riv Stage One 'donk' is worth keeping for posterity (2171 built (sold?) for the 1972 model)??? PS that seven blade/18" fan you sold to me is really top quality! :beer
Well, you never know what technology will happen to solve your problem. Won't cost anything to store it so save it for "someday"
block looks to be cracked, I had the same problem on a chevy 454 block I bought at a swap meet. My local machine shop fixed it for $90.00 I have not had a problem since.
Thanks, 'BP_Motorworks' ! Yep, I don't doubt that the actual repair of the crack itself may be low cost - it's the related time/expense I'm concerned with. I should have been clearer in the advice I'm seeking. I'm keen to hear an engineer/experienced Buick 455 mechanic type person's opinion on welding or cementing that crack - especially in situ. Pulling it out of the car, pulling apart and then rebuilding all costs big $$$$.
Indy cylinder heads will fix that.I have had them weld the same area on a sbf we are still running this block we have gone 8.20 since the repairs with no problem.They are a little expensive but their work is so nice you forget about the price.
Sorry didn't notice that you were from australia so Indy would be a stretch to say the least.A good welder can fix that if he knows how to work with cast iron.
