This is my first time building a Buick 455. I want to know if there is tips or tricks to building this motor. The motor has been recondition at the machine shop. It's bored 30 over with speed pro pistons. Rods are stock. Crank turned 10/10. Heads are stock but, they have high lift vavle springs. HEMI hiller cam. T/A super comp headers. I have all the new parts to rebuild it. Also Jet performance quadra jet stage 3 carb. Any tips or tricks to biuld this motor please list. Please tell me if you have used these parts on your motor and say whats good and whats not. Thanks. Or e-mail at Buick455truck@aol.com
Before you fire it up. Pack the Oil pump with Protrollum jelly and prime. (learned that the long way, didn't we Jon!) Have you already gotten the mechine work done? Need to do some oil modifications to the block and the timing cover.
Timing cover mod is described at George N's great site www.Buickperformance.com. Many thanks should go to George for the thankless task of maintainig that wealth of info we all take for granted. He was an original founder of this site too.
I'd like to suggest LubriPlate as an engine lube. I even used it on my cam, the tub of cam grease was solid as clay, so my machinist recommended the LubriPlate for that, too. Worked like a charm New bolts and washers on everything will make you happy, the old original ones will make you sad. Grade 8 hardware is cheap insurance. Use anti-seize on anything you can to prevent breaking bolts if you ever remove something.
More specifically: http://www.buickperformance.com/oilflow.htm Too late to do the block mods if you've already had the machine work done. Also, most recommend AGAINST a High Volume/High Pressure pump. Get an adjustable regulator from TA peformance and an oil pump booster plate instead.
Many thanks to you too Gary for writing the article. I have seen many on the Board who also feel the high volume pump has led to major engine problems and would instead go with the set up you describe.
Have the cam to cam bearing clearance checked after the cam bearings are installed. The cam will probably have to be polished to acheive the .002" clearance.
NO! There is no reason to use those pumps! They have been linked to numerous front cam bearing failures and sheared-off roll pins on distributors! Just use a TA booster plate and adjustable pressure regulator and be sure to crank it in until only about 1/4" of threads are sticking out.
As far as the buildup goes, you want to deck the block to boost the compression to a full 10:1. Be sure to have your intake manifold at the shop with whatever gaskets you'll be using to make sure they cut the intake side of the heads (and intake if needed) so the intake fits. Set your rod and main clearances to no more thab 2 thou. The front galley plugs behind the cam gear must be inserted no more than flush! Then staked in place.
hey brian... may i ask what you were charged at the machine shop? i would also like to build up a 455. id like the whole bottom end to be put together. pete
What everyone else said, and make SURE that the valve stem height is set to within factory Buick specs!!!!!!!!! Alot of shops out there do seem to know this critical spec or pay attention to it!!!!ou: If they valve job was poorly done by someone inexperienced with Buick 455's, it's SURE to be WRONG!:Smarty: This will cause MUCH GRIEF!!:gt: Don't use hi-volume oil pump! Keep main & rod bearing clearances tight! No more than 2 thou. Consider decking the block NOW, while you still can. This will help quench, and although it raises comp., it helps alot in controlling detonation and running on pump-gas. Use the BEST bearings, especially TA perf. full-groove cam bearings. Take care to have them installed EXACTLY as per TA recommendations! Check, recheck, recheck again ALL clearances:Smarty: Don't be afraid to "mock up" the engine assy more than once as needed! READ LOTS! ANYTHING you can get your hands on about Buick 455. Just don't take everything you read for Gospel! I made that mistake.ou: This Board is awesome!!If you try hard enough with the search function, you should be able to find ANYTHING you need! Hope I helped ya some, and good luck!!:TU: :grin:
