what makes a stage 1 a stage 1

I have a 1970 455, head casting #1231786. They have 2.02/1.60 valves. I c this casting # on ebay for stage 1, how can I tell if the heads I have r stage heads. Any ideas would be great!! Thanks

 

First, your BBB heads don't have SBC valves in them. Second, you can't check valve face diameter unless you pull one or both cyl heads to inspect. The Stage vs non-stage valve diameter has nothing to do with casting numbers, only the machine work done either by Buick or another machine shop at a later date.

Devon

 

Pretty well covers it there as far as the heads. Stage 1 had a different cam also.

 

Ok I was wrong the valves r 2.0 and 1.625. And I do have the heads off thats how i know what size they r. I was trying to decide what motor to use a 70 buick 455 or 70 olds 455 but it looks like the buick block may not b usable. I bought it from a guy that apparantly left it out in the rain, its got 3 rusty cylinders.

 

I think stage 1 is 2.25 and 1.8" ?
I could be wrong, and someone will point out if I am.

 

2.125", 1.75"

Devon

 

Ouch!

A tip for new users: Look around the sight a little and use the search function. It will save you some embarrassment.

Or don't. I could use some entertainment.:laugh:

 

Things have been a bit snippity lately.

 

Depending on how much $ you can spend, you would want to bore out the block anyway, so rust wouldn't be an issue, I (and most everyone on this site) would probably agree that you should go with the buick, although adding stage 1 valves isn't going to give you that much power gain unless you also have the heads ported and use a cam /intake/exaust combo that will take advantage of the larger valves.
If you have it bored you can run 10 to 1 comp. Ratio pistons or even a little higher on pump gas.
Good luck, and go with the Buick!

 

On the buick block it has more than surface rust, in 1 hole it feels like an 1/8" or more pit 2 fingers long and 1 finger high its pretty bad. By the way i'm only a newby to the site not to cars. I grew up in an auto repair shop and am running the family shop now. I'm just not real well versed in bbb's like a lot of u guy's r. I do have a good amount of experience with a buick 350. I learned the hard way about the weak spots. That motor went through 3 cars smokin everything that pulled up except a 455 pontiac 76 trans am.
Anyway heres what I'm building, the tacky stripes and cloth top are gone. never mind they won't let me post a link. 1978 regal, turbo hood, auburn gear posi 3:42 gears, in painting stage.

 

I apologize if my remark came off too flippantly. My wife underwent an eight hour brain surgery on Wednesday, and my stress level has been through the roof. All went very well so I'm coming back down to my usual level of assness.

Devon

 

A block with rust is not a tragedy. I've heard from friends about these things called "Machine Shops". Take it there. Have it bored. If you can't bore out all the pitting, build it anyway. I have a 400 pontiac that I threw together for under $500 that will destroy anything in 2 counties. (My friends 67 lark is currently not running. (Nasty 455. Real nasty.))

 

No sweat, Devon.

I hope all is well with your wife, brain surgery is no walk in the park. I'm sure all of us here wish her a speedy recovery!:TU:

 

Thank you, Steve!

Devon

 

I understand if u were edgy my mom had a tumor removed from her brain a few years back, I was a lil touchy for a while bout that time. Hope she is doing good!!!!
I got that motor completely apart and found a std. nodular crank :TU: and a cracked piston. The rust may not be as bad as I think.

 

Here's the Stage 1 package from Buick..

 

Thank you Seth, my wife is making excellent progress. I hope your Mom is fine too.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Devon