455 Buick Crankshaft Install

Discussion in 'Wrenchin' Secrets' started by IDOXLR8, Mar 6, 2022.

  1. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    I think I posted a question like this once about a Buick V6. I changed out a crankshaft on a Buick V6 with out pulling the heads or intake. Has anyone tried this on a Buick 455 V8? I think with care and two extra sets of hands it would work. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Sure, I have done it.. have to loosen the rockers up so you can work with the timing chain, but it's possible.

    JW
     
  3. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    I must be missing something here. The timing cover, chain and gear must be removed before the crankshaft is removed. From what I remember was the order the rods were removed. I may just pull the heads and intake to avoid damaging the new crankshaft.
     
    1973gs and Super Bald Menace like this.
  4. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Use protectors on the rod bolts. Like a rubber hose. This will help to protect the rod journals.

    Tom T.
     
  5. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Personally I would have the block hot tanked and start with all fresh clean parts since it’s down this far anyway. Plus don’t you want to measure the main bore inside the bearings as well as the rod big ends? How else are you going to know your bearing clearances?
     
  6. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Checking bearing clearance with plastic gauge. The engine is a low miles on a rebuild and spin number 3 rod bearing, had the crankshaft turned, all rods balanced with the crankshaft. Never happy with the crankshaft having a low end noise at times on start up. I have a high end 10-10 crankshaft and bearings to to install.
     
  7. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    At the least you will have to pull the head for #3 to get the rod re-sized after it has spun the bearing. May not looked damaged but I bet it is.

    Tom T.
     
  8. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    The number 3 rod had been replaced and the crankshaft turned down. I think the problem is to much clearance in the main bearings. I had a Chevy guy do the crankshaft. I have a new 10-10 crankshaft to install.
     
  9. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I did it once on a 455 Buick, not easy, but like you I didn’t want to disturb the heads or intake, the engine was out of the car, is yours??
     
  10. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    I did it on a ford 460 a couple years ago. Unbolted all the caps, put rubber fuel line on the rod bolts and shoved every piston in as far as it would go. Lifted the crank out. replaced all the bearings and set the crank back in place. Stuck a long screwdriver in the spark plug hole to push the pistons back up.
     
  11. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Will be. Plan on detailing it like I did Marco's.
     
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  12. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    What I did was bring each piston to the bottom of their bore, it gives a wee bit more room.
     
  13. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Waste of time just do it correctly
     
    IDOXLR8 and sean Buick 76 like this.
  14. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Whare did the metal from the bearing go?
     
  15. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    No metal issuse, just think it was machined a bit loose.
     
  16. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    As I posted earlier, I have everything to do it by the book. Looks like that will be the route I will be going. If I can do an in frame on a class 7-8 tractor I think I can rebuild 455.
     
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  17. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Guys.. the engine had a failure, he took it all apart, cleaned it all out and re-assembled it with a new turned crank.. and now has a noise..

    Wants to just replace the crank on this new non-damaged, but noisy engine. Speculates that the chevy builder had it ground too small, resulting in too much clearance.

    -------------------------

    The noise your probably hearing is a main bearing knock.. I would recommend that you first throw some plastigauge on the mains, to see if you can identify the housing that is the issue, or if it is all of them.. then I would remove the current crank, and measure it.. then compare that to the fresh crank you have. For it to be noisy, then I would expect to see at least .0015 smaller readings on the old crank. Needs to be up past .004 in clearance.

    If they are the same or inside of .001 different, then it's likely the main noise is coming because the main housings are too big, and if that is the case, then your taking it all apart to have that fixed.

    JW
     
    john.schaefer77, Smartin and IDOXLR8 like this.
  18. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    Jim, thanks for your follow-up! I will report back on my findings.
     
  19. IDOXLR8

    IDOXLR8 Senior Member

    I pondered with JW and it was doable! I've had this 455 apart before and know the engine well, so in short not nessary to disturb anything that's working. The only consurns I had was protecting the crankshaft bearing areas. I think I have an idea! On the old crankshaft I will be removing with the Clevite slide on protectors and after removal, remove all the old rod bearings and put them on the new 10/10 crankshaft as protection. Black electrical tape should work. Then after all is in position one by one plastic gauge and install all the bearings, your thoughts?
     
    DaWildcat likes this.
  20. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Sounds like a well-thought-out plan!

    Devon
     

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