Re: Buick 455
 

I think TA Performance, and Silver Seal both, have new replacement timing covers with oil pump assemblies. I blueprinted the oil pump and the passages, using the high volume pump/timing cover. I used to make an externally adjustable stop for the relief spring, so that I didn't have to try to play with springs.

Re: Buick 455
 

Mike, in my opinion, you can't spend too much time on a Buick oiling system.
When you analyze it, you'll see that that rear main bearing's oil is, effectively about 3 ft away from the pick up..
Drill out the pick up passage in the block. "Port match" all the transitions in the oil passages. Use the T/A parts to blueprint the oil pump clearances, use the adjustable PR stop . Baffle the pan in the rear etc,etc,etc...
When you get all done, don't be alarmed if you only have 10-15 psi at idle after a run!
Rev it up a little and watch the gauge. If you have at least 10 psi per 1000 RPM's, you'll be fine.

Re: Buick 455
 

Every one has been so much help, i have ordered the parts to convert the rope seal, and a adjustable oil psi kit from TA. I have done a lot of reading, but i know that i can read all i want nothing is better than getting help from people that run a buick. How many RPMs is to much on a 455, and is their a legal way to beef up the webbing on a 455 block? i heard that main gerdals are NOT leagal? i ordered a cam from bullet, the carb was done by mike walters, but that was years ago! My father ran my GS in G/SA befor but was short lived as we spun some bearings because of bad cam bearing instalation. thanks for every thing guys cant wait to hit the loud peddal on it.
Mike Dean
Dean Family Racing
G/SA 3870

Re: Buick 455
 

Mike, I spin my motor in the 6100+ range with a 4.30 gear. I know when I changed from the 4.10 (5600-5800) to a 4.30 the first thing that failed were rocker arm shafts. I run the TA thick wall rocker arm shaft now. If I were you I'd start with a 4.10 gear, my motor never broke one stock RA shaft in the 5600-5800rpm. Mike I've never had a main bearing fail, I think as long as you get good machine work done i.e. line hone, crank grind and clevite bearings your motor will live a long happy life. Good Luck, JKeihn 3954 maybe I'll see you at the Norwalk LODRS

Re: Buick 455
 

I will be there I hope with the car! John are you running the 455 or 350 this year? Thanks for every thing guys!
Mike Dean
Dean Family Racing
G/SA 3870

Re: Buick 455
 

Mike, I put the 455 back in last fall with a new cam, I ran the Indy Fall Classic with a best ET of 11.25/115.70. I'm freshing the 350 and putting together a second car for the 350. I'm also in the process of assembling a .060 over 455, or maybe I should say wasting time, because the cylinder walls are paper thin? The game plan is to run the 455 most of the race's this season and maybe I'll get back winning round or two? JKeihn 3954

Re: Buick 455
 

That's some great et out of the ol girl. Is yours the 71 or 72 combo? All I have is 72 parts right now but I see that the 71 is a natural G car and 72 is natural F car. At least some buicks are getting their as far at ET goes to try to compete with the small block mopars and small Chevys.
Mike Dean
Dean Family Racing
G/SA 3870

Re: Buick 455
 

Why can't you turn the engines any faster than 6,100 rpm? Are the heads and intake that bad?

Re: Buick 455
 

I Had some old Kenne Bell catalogs a decade or so ago and they had some pretty hot tips for the buicks (V6 and V8). They had a lot of info on preping the buick block for racing and longevity. At that time they pretty well had the Buick engine covered for anything you would want. The last time I looked they were pretty deep in the V6 turbo stuff too. Don Jackson

Re: Buick 455
 

Mike, I bought my GS in 1980, It's an original 72 455 GS car and I have always ran it as a 72 with the 455 and 350. As far as the other make's go Chevy close/Mopar not so close!

Chris, This is a good question, I have turned the motor around 6400 before an the car ran 11.40-50's and now with a new cam an other changes the car runs 11.20-30's at 6100-6200. I guess my best reason for less RPM : 1000gram piston/pin,3.900 stroke, valve train failure, Buick is known for it's torque(an taking grandma to church on sunday)lol plus more RPM does not always mean more Hp?? I guess?

Don, When I started bracket racing in 1977 then Stock in 78 with my 67 Buick 400 GS, I bought alot of parts from KenneBell and got some good information and some not so good!
JKeihn 3954