400/430/455 Block ID, Prep and Oiling mods

Can anyone talk to me through how to take the rear plugs out without a torch? Can i just drill the rear plugs out? Use a left hand drill bit?

 

Hey Chris I ran into a problem with those rear plug twice on two different blocks. Look at my solution for it on this thread page 3, 14th post down.

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/400-430-455-block-id-prep-and-oiling-mods.214613/

 

Thanks Bob, I was thinking of doing the same thing. Maybe I’ll use my left hand drill bit before the tap but we’ll see!

 

No problem, best of luck to ya!

 

I got them out today! Man I drilled it with the left handed 3/8 hoping it would catch and unthread but nope. Ended up having to use a hammer and screw driver to turn the plug out.

 

Yeh that's why I just drilled mine out, work up in bit size so there's only a very thin layer left that you can use a pick or a tap to extract what's left which is just the thread portion of what use to be the plug. In any event I'm glad to hear you got them out. Now onto the mods.

 

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can buy the 12 inch flame shaped carbide burr to finish the hole at the cam tunnel? I have 4 inch and 6 inch burrs, and I’m having a hard time finding a 12 inch. Thanks

 

Hey Chris I was asking the same question awhile back and I'm pretty sure JW said that was a typo and he only uses the 6" burrs and he was going to correct the thread on that. Feel free to msg him to clarify that but I'm pretty positive that's what he told me in a msg, I'll see if I can find it to clarify 100% for you. I only used the 4" & 6" burrs myself.

 

How did you finish the hole out Bob? You can't go through the sender hole if the burr is that short. I guess you need to go on an angle from the front of the cam tunnel.

 

Hey Chris, reread the list of tools required for that section, JW mentions you need a die grinder with a 1/4" and 1/2" flame 6" long. Later on in his description of the same mod where he says use your 12" flame, he meant 1/2" flame. You can finish that hole off by just knocking the sharp edge off from not drilling all the way threw with your bit by just touching it on a slight angle from the front of the block.

I asked him the same questions as you're asking as I was unsure and trying to find a burr bits in 12" lengths was extremely hard and when I did they were extremely expensive.

 

Yeah Ill clean it up from the front of the engine, thanks Bob

 

No problem. And if you're still unsure just PM JW he's really awesome to talk to.

 

Might be my computer but the pictures on the 1st page are showing as no longer there.

 

Perfect!

Thanks Larry