I have a friend who wanted to know if the 430 Buick crank is a factory steel item? I do not know, so I'll forward the question to the Experts. Thanks Gary G
cranks All buick cranks are cast but not all nodular.Can be identified by a big N on the crank.Some later model 455 just had cast cranks no N.Chris
Hi Guys, Chris......The earlier 400/430/455 cranks had the "N" cast into them to identify them as being nodular. The later 455 cranks were also nodular even though they did not have the "N" because of a switch to a different casting facility for the later cranks that cast only nodular so then there was no further need to have to differentiate it's composition as had been needed earlier due to the prior facility casting both nodular and regular cast iron. Hope this helps......Kerry
cranks Hi Kerry,is that the same plant that made 9 inch ford carriers?Thats how you ID them,I was told thats kinda industry standard. I would like to see that article that your referring to.Thanks Kerry.Chris
Hi Guys, Sorry, but I forgot about this thread.... There was an article on this subject awhile back in one of the past issues of the GSX-tra. As soon as I get the time I'll go back thru them and find it. I don't have a scanner but have had past success at taking a pic of another article and posting it on this BB. It may be a few days before I get around to doing it....
CHEV GUY Maybe a chev guy wrote that article, We were told from TA there was a differance.Why does FORD use the "N" on there 9 inch? I guess that would mean there all just as strong,Maybe someone should tell all those ford guys ou: Looking forward to seeing that article because we have a awesome no N crank crane we can use in the 494o No: Chris
To my knowledge, I will say that I believe all Buick cranks are identical, in material, regardless of markings. I do know that Buick never used the "grey iron" that was common in other makes. Now.. you want to talk steel cranks? Here is a 4340 Billet 4.4 stroker.. all 90 lbs of it! Wow.. is the word your looking for... Those 2" rod pins on a 494 crank always did scare me to death.. I like the 2.200 units on this piece. I can make 800 HP, and sleep at night with these rod journals. So here is what you get for your $2800 or so bucks.. Very nice..
SHOW ME THE MONEY I do know for a fact on a Ford 9 inch diff pot N means nodular iron and they are stronger, does this apply to Buick cranks? For the twenty years that I've been playing with Buicks, I've always been told that there is a difference. I was told by TA Performance that there is a difference. I don't have a problem with being wrong but I want to see facts. Were those Ford 9 inch pots built in the same plant as the Buick cranks? I don't think so. I've seen this N on various brands of parts. I believe this is an industry standard. I would like to clarify this fact and until I do I will believe that the N makes a difference especially if it helps keep the engine oil off the slicks, I like my paint (it's only 9 months old). By the way Jim that's a nice looking crank, I have one just like it for the 542 stage 4 with a 4.5 inch arm. I sold my 494 to my friend Adam. Did you ever come up with a price for porting that intake? Chris.
Well Chris, you seem to be pretty sure on this deal... I guess I will have to give Dennis a call.. see what he says. And mention it to Mike next time I talk to him. Can't say that I have dwelt a lot on it, because all my cranks are N cranks.. I rarely buy any complete motor newer than 72.. Intake porting.. just the top, or the whole dang thing.. Speaking of that, wait till the new SP-2 comes out.. I think that will also be opened up in side, so it my not be required to do what we did to them in the past.. just bolt on a dommie flange Sp-2 and go.. But, STG 4... that's sheet metal intake.. JW
The Bag-O-Cash has arrived! Hi Guys, As promised, here is the article from the November/December 1998 issue of the GSX-tra. Straight from Dennis Manner's mouth.... This is a pic of the issue article as I don't have a scanner...yet.:TU:
looks like your rich! Thanks kerry,this is good to know now I won't be scared to use those other cranks. Jim that intake is for a stage 3 project, the stage 4 will get a big dodge intake,sheet metal is too much $$$$ A friend of mine took his 540 dodge to the dyno and made 1050hp with that intake and A 1150carb.Chris
cranks The way you can tell a steel crank( forged) from a cast crank is look at the casting line running down the crank if it is about a half inch wide it would be a forged steel crank if it is paper thin line it would be cast. mike
