71 Stage 1 & 4 speed question

[64 Hardtop]

Not sure were to post so if it needs moved ok.
Do factory Stage 1 cars underhood decals have "Stage 1" printed on them?
Did 455 4 speed cars come with same dist as Stage 1?
Did all 4 speeds come with a 3.42 ratio rear? With exception of special order and AC?
I'm not sure if my information is all correct, so any help will be appericated.

[flynbuick]

Do factory Stage 1 cars underhood decals have "Stage 1" printed on them?
A-- They have an embossed decal on the air cleaner

Did 455 4 speed cars come with same dist as Stage 1?
A-- The external part number is the same for stage 1 cars is the same regardless of the trans. Non stage 1 cars have the same part number regardless of trans. depending on the year model and time of year they were made. Stage 1 and non stage 1 cars have different distribs.by part number.


Did all 4 speeds come with a 3.42 ratio rear? With exception of special order and AC?
A-- It depends on the year and engine. A 70 GSX stage 1 non AC has a 3.64 rear standard. Standard ratio for a 71 stage 1 car I recall was a 3.42 regardless of the trans used. If it is a 71 350 GSX it was a 3.08. But confirm this with others. You could order other ratios. We had a 4.78 factory rear in our first 70 GSX.

[64 Hardtop]

Do factory Stage 1 cars underhood decals have "Stage 1" printed on them?
A-- They have an embossed decal on the air cleaner
Thanks, The decal I'm talking about is the emission or tune up decal on radiator metal top

[flynbuick]

They generally have a different radiator decal because, for example, the intial advance specification is greater on a stage 1. So there will be a different part number for a stage 1 decal.

It has been a long time since we owned a 71 stage 1. But for that decal I recall the intial advance on the decal is 10-12 degrees whereas a non stage 71 455 is around 8 degrees.

[64 Hardtop]

So then will the decal have "Stage 1" on it if the inital timing is to be set at 10 degrees according to decal?

[flynbuick]

I do not recall that "stage 1" is on the radiator decal. But I do recall that the intitial advance is 10 or more for a stage 1 engine's radiator decal and less than 10 for a non stage 71 455. It will also have a GM part number unique to a 71 stage 1.

[buick64203]

The 71 emissions decal wont say Stage 1, but rather a two digit code. Stage 1 decals will have a code of "BG", while a 455 decals will say "BH"

[64 Hardtop]

Is the part number 1237198 listed for a stage 1?

[buick64203]

yes, thats is the Stage 1 decal part number. But I would take that with a grain of salt. Even if it is an original sticker.

[flynbuick]

Just the other day we were talking about what was a 71 -72 radiator cover that a seller on ebay listed as a 70 because it had a 70 decal on it. And the decal looked old, original etc.

[64 Hardtop]

It was not mine! Mine also has a second decal for idle settings on a 4 speed.
I'm looking for a stamped date code on my cover.

[staged70]

I remember this car from the reunion and was looking at it when I was told it was already sold. Have you found any docs yet? I saw the decal myself and believe it was legity buyt I am no expert. Nice score IMHO

[64 Hardtop]

I have no paper work, nothing. Just trying to determine what I do have.
It will be built as a Stage 1 car, rather it was or not. It's my car and that is how I would have wanted it new. Color and all!

[staged70]

I have no paper work, nothing. Just trying to determine what I do have.
It will be built as a Stage 1 car, rather it was or not. It's my car and that is how I would have wanted it new. Color and all!

One of the cool things about the reunion was the number of colors never seen on 71 and 72 GSX's If memory serves this is the first found in this color.

[buick64203]

I just put 2 and 2 together and realize what car we're talking about! I was there too and saw it pull in. Just to recap, did you pull the tank yet or ransack the interior and dash for the build sheet?

[64 Hardtop]

Did all 4 speeds come with a 3.42 ratio rear? With exception of special order and AC?
A-- It depends on the year and engine. A 70 GSX stage 1 non AC has a 3.64 rear standard. Standard ratio for a 71 stage 1 car I recall was a 3.42 regardless of the trans used. If it is a 71 350 GSX it was a 3.08. But confirm this with others. You could order other ratios. We had a 4.78 factory rear in our first 70 GSX

The information I find a GSX 4 speed and a Stage 1 all have a 3.42 ratio rears. The GS could have 3.08 is this correct information?

[flynbuick]

A 71 350 GSx 4 speed used a 3.08.

[64 Hardtop]

A 71 350 GSx 4 speed used a 3.08.

I'm talking 455 4 speeds

[flynbuick]

For 71 all 455 GSX cars and 71 stage 1 cars, regardless of the trans, and non stage 1 GS 455 4 speed cars came with a 3.42 as the standard gear ratio. For 71 the only 455 A body cars to not have a 3.42 rear gear ratio standard is a GS455 with an auto trans.

I hope I got this right. Others will correct me if I am incorrect.

[Jim Jones]

The information I have seems to support what Jim Lore posted as 1971 standard equipment.

455_____4-spd manual__3.42:1
455_____TH-400 auto___3.08:1 (performance option 3.42:1)
455_GSX 4-spd manual__3.42:1
455_GSX TH-400 auto___3.42:1
Stage 1__4-spd manual__3.42:1
Stage 1__TH-400 auto___3.42:1

[rjohns]

Norm
I was at BPG show when your car showed up
I gave it a thorough inspection and that car is definetly a a Big Block 4 speed 71 GSX.

That car being a 71 Big Block GSX should have an 8.5 "corporate 10 bolt 3.42 posi rear axle.
The code stamped on axle tube should be LWB.
If that car was a non Stage 455 car and not a GSX it would have come standard with an LHB 3.42 open axle.
Even in 1971, Buick saw fit to give Big block GSX 4 speed cars a 3.42 Posi LWB code axle standard only in a GSX.

Post some new pics of that car,very unique piece.

Not sure were to post so if it needs moved ok.
Do factory Stage 1 cars underhood decals have "Stage 1" printed on them?
Did 455 4 speed cars come with same dist as Stage 1?
Did all 4 speeds come with a 3.42 ratio rear? With exception of special order and AC?
I'm not sure if my information is all correct, so any help will be appericated.

[64 Hardtop]

Thanks for all the help, that is how I thought it was just wasn't sure.
I really don't have any new pictures of interest. I have been checking some date codes and trying to determine just what I have. I haven't really started any restoration. Just making it driveable and safe at this time.

[flynbuick]

Are your carb and distrib numbers for a stage 1 car?

[64 Hardtop]

Engine was replaced in the late 70's. Carb is dated a replacement stage 1 and I purchased a correct stamped dist.

[flynbuick]

I see why the radiator decal info is interesting.

You have looked on top of the gas tank and inside the car for paperwork?