So I just picked up this big project for what I thought was a good start. Needs steering/suspension/brakes/electrical/plumbing/.... pretty much everything. But it has a 430-4 67 wildcat with a 400. Slim pan 400 which I've never actually seen(family biz was automatic transmissions). I'm a Chevy man from a Chevy family so this BBB is new to me. I'm pumped to get it going but thinking this motor may be worth what I paid for the whole thing. Let it stay or Buy a BBC?
Welcome! What did you buy? By your description I'm guessing a Wildcat or Electra? Tell us what you want to do and you'll get help, but the answer won't be BBC. Patrick
Lol, it's a 53 f100 chassis with a 46 dodge cab and a Buick 430-4 wildcat engine. S10 rear , totally rat rod West Virginia home built. I'm finishing it but I'm hesitant on this motor. Don't know anything about it. Points gotta go and carburetor is duh but if it fires and runs I think it's worth something. I'm building the car just don't know about the heart. 67 wildcat 430-4
Funny, if it was my truck and it had a BBC, I would yank it and put a Buick engine in it What exactly do you need to know about it? The 67 430 has the big port heads. Its a good engine with plenty of torque. Weighs like 150 lbs less than a BBC. If the engine runs well, has good compression and oil pressure, leave it be! Plus, don't you want to stand out in a sea of Chevy engines at car shows?
I'm one of those non-partisan guys. I own several Chevys and Fords as well as Buicks. That said: If the OP pulls the Buick and installs a BBC, I'd say that he yanks it as well.
455 parts sometimes work? Headers? Hei conversion is special? I'm just gonna have to do some digging. I love the uniqueness of it, think it's gotta stay. Sea of chevys.... that's funny but true.
As you look and read threads here, one common theme you'll find is that Chevy solutions don't apply. Build a torque monster, not a screamer. Use the q-jet (or a big Holley), not an Edelbrock. Use good factory stuff (if you want electronic ignition, buy a used HEI and have it curved). Go mild on the cam. Put down the Summit or Jegs catalog, and get the T/A Performance catalog. Patrick
One top of the list BIG warning from me having only been told AFTER it trashed my engine.........get that damned "quieter than metal on metal" nylon covered timing chain gear out of there if it is still waiting in there to grenade apart! Other than that,that 430 is an excellent,high torq,tire fryin son of a beeoutch!
Was told 650 Holley was what I should run. Leaving it stock except headers and carb, possibly a timing gear per stage3...
The Q-Jet is going to work soooo much better for street driving. And 650 is way small. The factory carb is a 750. By 71, they went to 800's
500+ for headers, the smallest port cheapest ones.... geez why I've been Chevy so long, cheaper. Lol well manifolds for now. Ones cracked. Unless anyone has a set laying around?? Older the better.
i am a Buick man thru and thru, and i say, sell the Buick motor to someone that will use it, and drop a chevy in her, its an old ford truck, run it and have fun
[QUOTE="...but thinking this motor may be worth what I paid for the whole thing..." [/QUOTE] I suspect the used Buick 430 engine and trans may only bring 300 to 600 dollars.
Grab some nickle rod and weld er up, or find someone that can. Unless you intend to race, headers are just wasted money.
And to just finish this thought, the enclosed rollback drove to Chicago this past weekend with the '71 GSX on its back. 10.5++ mpg towing. Nary an issue. What a truck!!
