BBB find

[Slowpoke]

Hi guys. Been a while since I actually posted about what I have done since taking the frame off . Because nothing has been done lol. Been using extra money for stuff around the new house. Found a deal I would regret passing up. But been searching craigslist occasionally for a deal on an engine. And finally got what I've been looking for for a long long time. Got a GREAT deal on a Buick 455.

Oil is clean. Motor spins freely and through breather from what I can tell looks great. I'll take a cover off tonight to take pics.

 

[ssn696]

Nice to find one ready to drop in! Looks clean, just needs an HEI. While it's on the stand, I'd pull the water pump and timing cover to see how bad the aluminum casting is - they usually have corrosion issues. While you're in there, you might want to open up the oil pump passage.

I have had the opposite problem. I have had a 455 stored for about 8 years, just needs a Buick.

 

[Slowpoke]

Nice to find one ready to drop in! Looks clean, just needs an HEI. While it's on the stand, I'd pull the water pump and timing cover to see how bad the aluminum casting is - they usually have corrosion issues. While you're in there, you might want to open up the oil pump passage.

I have had the opposite problem. I have had a 455 stored for about 8 years, just needs a Buick.

Out here Buicks are everywhere its anything bigger than a Buick 3.8 that's hard to find lol.

Yea the water pump is shot from sitting for a while. I will be pulling that first thing tonight when I get home. I do have a new hi flow water pump that I bought a while ago for my 4.1 V6. If I remember correctly it is the same as the Buick 350. Do you know if it is also the same as the 455?

 

[ssn696]

I use RockAuto.com to cross-check part interchangeability. The same part number shows up on the Buick 350 but not the 455.

 

[Slowpoke]

I use RockAuto.com to cross-check part interchangeability. The same part number shows up on the Buick 350 but not the 455.

Cool thanks for the tip! I'll start parts searching tonight.

 

[ssn696]

Proform offers a replacement 455 timing cover, but hopefully you won't need it.

 

[Slowpoke]

Proform offers a replacement 455 timing cover, but hopefully you won't need it.

I'll take lots of pics, what should I be looking for in terms of wearing on the timing cover?

 

[ssn696]

I have been watching a Pontiac 455 on Craigslst about a hundred miles from here. I posted it to the Forum, but the CL ad has been refreshed a couple of times, so it's still in play.

 

[ssn696]

I can't get to mine right now to take a picture, but check the water passages. The cast aluminum oxidizes and gets eaten away. When it gets bad enough, you can have oil and water leaks. I'd suggest inspecting the oil pump for wear and damage while you are in there. Easier to find and fix now that once it's in the car...

I don't mean to be a bummer. This is a great find, and if you don't have to comply with emissions, there is no (cheap) replacement for displacement. For your next CL assignment, if you don't have an overdrive transmission...get one. You have a 455 ci fuel pump...

 

[ssn696]

I picked up a copy of Rick Dove's Buick performance book. There is a lot you can/have to do to spin a 455 to high RPM. If you can keep it under 4500 RPM it will last longer than cheap fuel prices. Buick performance parts are not common and not cheap. That's why I have not built mine up so far.