New Buick V8 book

Since I'm going to be lurking around the forums here, I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Mike Forsythe, and I'm an author for CarTech/SA Design books. My current project is an overhaul book covering the later Buick V8's, specifically 350, 400, 430 and 455. The book's focus will be overhaul, but there will also be a chapter that covers the basics of performance modifications. I may be asking a few questions of you guys to make sure I cover topics of interest and concern regarding Buick overhaul. Thanks for being here, and I look forward to getting to know you!

 

Hi Mike! You are in the right place. There are TONS of informative posts about Buick engine building here as Jim Weise( the Forum owner here) makes his living building these.

Also there are many other very experienced people here with lots to contribute.

Basically all the models you mention use the same style of oil pump which is in the timing case at the front of the engine. This is a good place to start IMO.

 

Would be neat to see a chapter on the aftermarket ta tomahawk block also. Assembly and combination info.

 

Welcome to the community, Mike!

 

VERY Cool... and WELCOME!
-MIG

 

Welcome aboard and good luck, there is some good info floating around here, people that know Buicks upside down and backwards. They will help you and aren't a bit bashful about letting people know if they don't agree.

Bob H.

 

Thanks for the hospitality and the links. Great stuff! I'm impressed with how much power people have gotten out of these engines and how there's such strong aftermarket support for Buicks. I'd love to do a book focused on performance, but my publisher has told me to write an overhaul book. I will try to pack good stuff into the one chapter allotted for performance mods, but that won't be the main focus of the book.

Thanks again. I'll be absorbing all I can and look forward to connecting further as the project develops

 

Hi Mike welcome aboard! I was a new member here 5 years ago and I didn't know much about Buicks, at first but in that time I've learned an immense amount. One of those things is you learn very quickly is that some of the things done to these engines that are viewed as "performance" mods/upgrades by most people are actually essential procedures done to help with the longevity for the engine's life. To me that would be considered an important part of an overhaul book. It may serve you and the book well to interview Jim Weise via phone or email and he can layout some Buick must do's for basic engine overhauls. Best of luck with the book!

Cheers, Bob

 

That's ok, most of the pitfalls that need to be avoided are the basics of rebuilding.. not so much focused on performance. For example:

Oil system do and don'ts
MLS gaskets and surface finishes
How to work with Stock Buick BB connecting rods- that's half a chapter right there.
How the aftermarket replacement pistons have the wrong specs
And so on and so forth.

In the last 20 years, I am sure we have touched on every one of these topics, probably more than a few times, but if you can't find the info, don't hesitate to ask.

JW

 

Doesn’t Sean have a book coming out also?

 

Not to put too fine a point on it, but that book has been about to be published for many years.

 

Thanks, Jim.