I’ve had my my 67 wildcat for about 4 years now, one thing I can tell you is it’s hard finding parts and information about classic Buick’s. Until I found this website about a week ago, this is the first I’ve seen this type of club for Buick’s and I extremely happy with the support and information from the Buick community. I’m looking to restore the wildcat and currently have the engine, tranny and interior out. I’m starting with the engine rebuild which ran ok before, but wasn’t sure about the condition (A little nervous on some long trips). Looking to upgrade the cam and rest of the top end and I want to get 450-500 hp, any suggestions on what type of upgrade for the top end ( heads-big port heads, stock rocker arms and intake manifold, don’t know about the cam that’s installed now). Also isit necessary to upgrade the rear end as well as the torque converter and transmission to handle the hp. Need a little help thanks
It has a 9 3/8" Buick rear which is stout. You could sonic check and bore the 430 to the point that TA aluminum heads would improve horsepower by 50 or so. Be careful to not overcam the engine.
Could you give me some examples of cams that would suit the 430 and is there other things I could do to add hp would the big port heads
The 430 is a good engine. I have one in my 68 Riv. If you have specific build questions feel free to PM me.
Thanks, I appreciate all the help I can get. Here’s were I’m at right now with the rebuild of the engine. It’s basically on an engine stand with the heads off. I wanted to take a look at the top of the cylinders and pistons as well as the bottom of the heads. There wasn’t anything really wrong with the engine outside of some starting issues ( I don’t think it’s an internal engine issue). I just pulled the engine and transmission because the previous owner said he was going to rebuild it soon, but it drove fine ( still a little nervous on a long trip). I haven’t disassembled the bottom end of the motor yet, but I think I will soon and send it to a machine shop for the works. I know I want to replace the cam/lifters/push rods/rocker arms, timing gears/chain, intake and exhaust manifold, get a good port job on the heads. Were I’m stuck at is what type of cam set to go with and contemplating if I should even take apart the bottom end of the motor because the top of the cylinders walls and pistons themselves looks pretty good. Just want to upgrade the top end to get a little more hp out of it. What do you think?
TA 212 is a pretty good cam for a mild build and should work well with a stock converter. If you replace the lifters and rockers you'll have to seal the oiling hole in the block that now supplies oil to the stock rocker bar.
You need to use new lifters on a new cam. They no longer make the lifters without a hole in the cup for pushrod oiling. You may be able to take the original cups out of the factory lifters and install them in a set of new ones? If not TA claims its ok to use the new style lifters on the old style oiling system.
The TA 1406(i think) is whats in my 430. Still oiling through the rockers. over 20,000 tire smoking miles and no problems. Anyone that knows me and the Riv will tell you she gets drove like a proper Buick should!
