Another question. I was planning on mls gaskets which are basically 100$ a pop for the buick.
While regular felpros are like 19$lol

Since I'm on a budget I wonder if mls gaskets are needed on a 8-12psi application?

 

I would try the $19 ones first. Using MLS gaskets usually means having to deck the block and surface the heads to get the correct finish or they won't seal. Some members here have run 8 second 1/4 mile times with factory replacement head gaskets. The cheaper ones will also act like a fuse in case you get greedy with timing.

 

Thats what i will do.
What would be a good ring gap for my purpose, somewhat safe but not full blowby lol.. 26 ish?
i might have to use the engine NA as well.

Also idk if i should get ARP Head bolts (90$) or reuse the OEM head bolts they are not torque to yield on this Buicks; i think i kinda answered it while typing lol

 

ARP bolts are always a good idea, much better than 40 year old factory ones. As for ring gap check with the manufacturer of the rings. They generally have a chart for ring gap specs for different applications.

 

ARP studs. Giv those cheap gaskets as much a chance at life as possible.

 

I hope the mains stay in it for ya. haha

 

Lol me too ahhah

 

.006 per inch would be roughly .026. I think that's a good place to be for the top ring. I'd be tempted to reuse the stock bolts at his boost level. The key to keeping these SBE builds alive is torque/cylinder pressure management, which goes right along with cheap gaskets, and fasteners. The more you can rev it, the better.

 

I opened up the engine cleaned a d decreased everything.
Then I took the pistons out.
Good news is that somebody already went in there before me. The rear main seal is a neoprene seal not a stock rope style. The connecting rod bearings are very new std size. New cam chain /sproket and I opened the center main bearing and this looks very new too.
So I keep the stock main bolts I just re-torque it.

I honed the bores and the look very good as well as the pistons and rings. I could actually reuse the rings but I ordered a set already so I use the new set.

As for the heads I will most likely use ARP BOLTS to secure the heads on the felpro gaskets.

I scored a TAsingle plane intake already that should arrive soon.
+RockAuto is your friend with this kind of "rebuilds".
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Arp head studs would work better than the bolts for fastening the heads. Didn’t realize that it doesn’t have that many head bolts holding stuff together.

 

Sure they just 200$ that's half my turbo lol.
While the bolts are 80$ its still a budget build.

Wish they would be as cheap as for a LS, I got the studs on my 4.8 LM4 78/75 build

 

They're 1/2" bolts though. The rigidity of the head casting is key, and not something that studs will typically fix. Look how much hp has been made with stock ls tty bolts on the same head bolt configuration. If I were building it, i'd reuse the stock bolts because of the budget constraints, and revaluate if it has problems.

 

at the moment i am collecting parts to put the SBE back together.
I also sourced a used Single plane Alu intake (TA SP1) and a used but good Lunati cam. Nothing special but better than stock.
I am going by the concept that the Turbo is a multiplier, so the more i can get out of the NA engine the better the Turbo performance lol. (All on a Budget)
I will also go into the Buick timing cover/oil pump setup to do some mods to address the notorious oiling issues.
the heads need new valves(exhaust = rusted) so i upgrade to bigger valves right away
This 70s 455 was rated at 10.1 compression ; which is over estimated as people say. however i dont think i should get a higher compression by milling the heads much. .010 max to make the head surface straight i think.

while i wait on more parts (backorder) i will start the fabing as soon as the flanges arrive.
i ordered 1.5x3 rectangular tubing .083 Thick and 14Ga 3inch exhaust pipe.

 

sounds like you have a good solid plan now. Looking forward to seeing the build

 

Not $200

Allens Fasteners $126 ARP-125-4001 Buick 455
I don't really like the 4 bolt per hole head fastener setup - it needs help.

Hope this helps your budget.

 

bunch of parts came in.
i already did OILING MODS on the notoriously weak Buick oiling System.
enlarged the Suction passage and ordered a bigger 5/8 in Pickup.
Did a LH Deck oil hole Plug mod so the headgasket doesnt have to seal this oil passage.
i also cleaned up the casting leftovers arround the lifter castings
and i did 3 Timingcover/oil pump mods which are mainly enlarging and blending 90* turns and make them smoother.
I didnt touch the mains and the mods that can be done there... i am pretty sure that the mods i have done will be sufficent and definitly help it survive.
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while i wait on bigger Stainless Valves and Valve springs my machine guy is well known in the LS and LT business for his portwork ( lloyd Elliott) he also does Cast heads and i know he does the portwork for a famous Cadillac performance engine builder > He offered to port my heads from mild 300$ to fully ported 500$ which is really not much $ for the porting of cast heads.
So Question is do you guys think porting the iron heads will help alot?? if so i might let him go at it since he does the valve job already.

Further i will keep exact track of the $ spend to give a real life feedback whats needed for "real" people . no extra discounts or buddy deals !

i estimate to have arround 2600$ in the full setup -(minus) the fuel delivery and Non ported heads
( incl. Engine and a non build TH400 with stock converter)

 

I wasn't sure what you meant by "notoriously weak oiling system" until a google search and wow you really have to rework basically all of it huh?

http://www.rowand.net/shop/tech/buickoilingimprovements.htm

 

Yea that was the big downside of the buicks ; that and the relativly thin walls compared to BBC which was good in weight savings over a BBC ( almost SBC weight) but doesnt leave much for bigger overbore.

the oiling issues are mainly caused by excessive "use" so if you constantly in the 6000rpm range it will become a problem but ther is much you can do your self with some basic tools and there is Racing mods that will do even more than needed i think.
i have a 69 C10 with a Stock Buick 455 in it, very torqy lil truck and for that setup i never had issues with the stock oiling system.

for this engine build i might as well do some mods since i am in there already and i have done them a couple times + i have the tools.

 

SBE is back together. I sourced a nice cam A KB113 which is a decent cam for this motors.
New/bigger oil pickup. New timing chain and gaskets. #ad
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Wouldn't go too high on the boost because of the thinwall design

On YouTube, if you search for Richard holdener Buick 455.
He puts turbos on lots of different setups to test results. The 455 was one of them. I think he blew a head gasket, but i can't remember at what psi. Worth the look, he did many tests and variations.

You're gonna need some sticky big tires, if i recall the 455 makes 500 ft lbs at like 2200rpm?