455 Identification

still would like some advice on product or method to break the froze bolts lose..:beer

 

There are many brands. Some Like PB but any will do. Soak these for several days. Sears makes some extractor sockets for those with round heads. An impact gun works best for me.

 

Was afraid to use my impact gun for fear of snapping bolts, but I'll give the PB and impact gun a try. Hopefully I'll have the engine on a stand by today. And maybe some pics :kodak: as well...

 

Regarding the "dual" valve springs, if they are truly dual springs, both being wound from round stock, they are not stock. All the 455's utilized a single valve spring with a reverse wound damper spring on the inside. The stock inner damper is wound from flat stock.

Here's a good pic of a typical stock spring w/damper (dampener):

http://www.performancespares.com.au/images/Crane%20Valve%20Spring.jpg

Devon

 

My own experience is that the impact gum does a a great job of breaking these loose without taking off the head.

 

Thanks Jim for the advice. Has been a chore so I hope this is the trick.

DaWildcat, Actually, you hit the nail right on the head. They are not dual springs. They are the stock inner dampers wound from flat stock. Thanks for correcting me.

Aloha,
Scott

 

1112521 3H 2
Just found this # on the distributor and according to the Stage-1 registry this would be the stage-1 distributor so:
1-Seven bladed fan instead of 5 blades
2-Chrome valve covers
3-Valve springs w/dampers (maybe)
4-Distributor w/# matching the Stage-1 registry
I hope when I get some #'s off the block that will finalize or end my curiosity about stage-1 or Stage-0...we'll see.
Thanks for the help you guys!!:3gears:

 

Here are some pics of the hopefull stage-1 I recently I aquired/traded and paid for. Never mind the other pics:
www.photobucket.com/smbolter
More to follow as I tear more down. Aloha

 

Odds are getting better all the time!

Devon

 

The '74 Stage 1's did come with the HEI ignition systems. The camshafts also were visually differant from the standard camshafts. They have a groove around the front bearing journal.

 

Dave,
Thanks:TU: I'll check the front bearing journal for the groove you mentioned. Can't wait to get the heads off to see the valves and hopefully how close they are like in the registry.
So far so good!:beers2:
Scott

 

How about OILING? How were the '74's oiling set up? Do I need to make any adjustments to ensure the entire motor is getting adequate oil?
Aloha,
Scott

 

the 74's are better than earlier years but you can always clean up the passages and enlarge things.

do you need links?

 

Bob,
Links would always be nice. I saw something on a member of El Camino Central where a member put a 455 in a '84 El Camino, but he installed a line on the side of the block to improve oiling. Seemed like a kit I can buy and was going to check with him soon unless you know about it.
Scott:beer

 

7 blade fan means nothing. It does not belong on that engine. 70 was the only year with a 7 blade fan on a 455 with AC or stage-1. 71 and up Stage-1 and 455's with AC had bigger about 20" 5 blade fans. 7 blade fan was never used as a Stage-1 indicator.

 

Was merely going by the stats I got from the Regisry at this link:
http://www.stage1registry.com/stage1info.html#glance
Says 69-74 could've had a 7 blade fan, so maybe this one had one installed at the factory...not impossible...

 

Unlikely as the fan shroud diameter and water pumps (or some) also changed after the 70 model year.

 

Links would always be nice.

i've already got them posted over on the FAQ. it would probably be nice if a mod would sticky that....



http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=181444



go ahead and reply to it to bump it up to the top, would you?

 

Stuck on my tear down to i.d. this 455 as a stage-1 or just a run-of-the-mill 455 (455 still in bed of truck as you can see if you go to my photobucket link at the beginning of this thread) which is fine too, BUT if it does turn out to be a stage-1 from '74, is there anything bad about the motor, heads etc anyone would suggest changing?
I have a 455 from I believe a '72-73 electra that's +0.030 I was eventually going to build. Swap parts around or keep the 455 stage-1 pc's in-tact?
Aloha,
Scott

 

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=46071

the 74 stuff should have the same size oil passages. the 72 might have a smaller oil pickup.

i don't think there's any real preference one way or the other, unless you want to build the 72 stuff to thrash and keep the 74 stuff for collector value. assuming it's a Stage piece.