Strip it down to find out what failed , then port it , cam , springs , ring gap , bottom end balance & send it to the moon !! Love seeing these not so popular engines getting some Dyno time & your enthusiasm is really infectious , great job Richard !!!
Autopsy please! As far as the upgrades go... oiling mods first, these have known oiling issues. These are weak in two spots when making power, lifter bore and it’s a 2-bolt. There are girdles for both of these weak spots. Maybe do some block fill too if you really want to push the stock block to it’s max. I didn’t do any of the girdle/block mods because my motor is only making mid 500hp range and I don’t rev the engine over 5000rpm... I run pump gas 10.5:1. Go to TA performance and see about their SPX intake and their various stage heads. They have some awesome cams to choose from too. Looking forward to this Buick series ALOT! Thanks dude!
Hi John Becay, my motor uses stock crank and was bored .038 over (464ci) to use a Chrysler piston size. Cam isn’t crazy with a lift in the 500 range. 850cfm quickfuel. Stage 2 TA heads. SPX intake. I got about 440hp/455tq at the wheels on a mustang dyno with a th400 so my rough math is mid 500hp at crank. I asked TA performance for the formula to build a pump gas motor that would make a reliable 500+ hp. 2500 stall is all that’s needed so it daily drives like it used to with the stock small block.... it’s a perfect build for street driving. I could go with a more aggressive cam and push closer to 600hp but you start sacrificing street-ability.
@@johnhg3994 thanks for getting back. how much do your heads flow? you have a very sound street combo. what's your rear gearing? have you taken it down the 1/4 mile? you have a well thought out build.
John Becay thanks for the compliments... it was my grandmothers skylark I got in high school! Haha. I didn’t do any head flow calculations. intake valves are 1.755 and exhaust is 2.125 (I might be off by a hundredth or thousandth, been a while since they were assembled). I’m running the TA stage 2 SE heads with a little port and polish. The cam is the TA 413hlr. Roller lifters and rockers. 12bolt with 3.73 with 28” tire. I live far enough from any drag strip that I haven’t had time to run it. It has a th400 that drives nice but I’m in the process of swapping to a 4l80e with lockup and trans-brake. I’m thinking it might be a high 11 car if I launch it hard. I have a lot of money in it so I’m terrified at the prospect of putting it into the wall. I shed a decent amount of weight with the Buick 455 already being the lightest big block (weighs about the same as a small block Chevy) all aluminum except short block. Pulled the heavy bench seat out and stuck two of the lightest recaro buckets I could find in it. And it has a fiberglass hood. I haven’t weighed it but I figure it’s pretty reasonable for a 71 skylark.
I am an extreme Buick big block freak. back in the 80s and 90s I circle burned my 455, one piston was .020 bigger than all the rest. I ran that big block at 6000 RPM at the end of every straight away I won every race I ever went to unless somebody knocked me off the track. I just built a 500 horse 430 cubic out of a 68 wildcat. I'm pulling the international motor out of the Binderbird and putting in the big block Buick with a turbo 400 with a transfer case kit. I got this car In 1978 and turned it into a 4x4 in 88. Not some junker on a 4x4 frame this is a show quality daily driver. Love your vids!!! UA-cam Binderbird
dang richard almost 100k. one of the fastest growing channels ive ever seen. put bearings, pistons,rods and studs in it. i think you lost it due to age. tear it down and show us.
Amazing that you got 500 hp out of a throw away engine, which no telling what abuse/horrors that engine has endured! I am in the “camp” that junkyard engines are “cores” that you disassemble before you run, but that is just me. I love when others run engines “as is” and let’s me see what goes wrong, really a great learning experience I can apply to my core engines! Thanks for the effort Richard, I love the channel
Yes to teardown video. Yes to Stage 1 buildup. Yes to forged internals and further testing with more performance parts. Loved the 455 Buick videos to date, looking forward to more!
Definitely do the tear down/autopsy vid. Love to see what held together and what went south. Then build as a Stage 1 clone ( or close to) so you can compare today's Edelbrock and T/A offerings with factory GM HiPo equipment. See how good the factory was verses 21st century tech. Keep up the great work! Love your channel.
Yes on autopsy. In around 1988 I bought a 1974 Buick Apollo with a blown 350. I put a high mileage 1970 10:1 compression 455 from a station wagon in it. The cranking cylinder pressure averaged 195 - 200. I had two Quadrajets neither of which worked properly so I bought a new Carter (wasn't Edelbrock yet) AFB and a strip kit. After dialing in the AFB, putting a shift kit in the TH350, and adjusting the vacuum modulator to suit my preference the car ran well on the street. I was very happy with it. The combination of the 600 CFM carb, as much timing as I could get away with on pump gas, and the torquey nature of the Buick 455 resulted in outstanding throttle response even with the stock rear end (I believe it was something like 2.73:1). The exhaust consisted of stock manifolds, dual exhaust with an H-pipe and straight-through stainless steel mufflers called "Turbo Tubes." It sounded great, ran smooth, and was just powerful enough to be fun without breaking the other stock parts or twisting the body. That meant it was cheap. I doubt I had more than 1500 late 80's dollars into the whole thing. I felt it was a near perfect street car at the time. It pulled hard from idle to 5000 (where a daily driver runs the most), cruised effortlessly at 70 or 80 on the freeway, ran on pump gas, was cheap to build, and was a good size vehicle for a bachelors daily driver. Two door with front disk brakes and a decent sized trunk without being too big. You really can't go wrong with an X-body and a torquey big block. The only thing it needed that I never did was heavier springs in the front. I drove it for a few years. Eventually it broke a piston and that was the end of it. It was a cheap build that was pretty much wore out from front to back so it went to the wrecking yard. I have fond memories of it. It was the quickest and fastest vehicle I ever had other than a motorcycle. I'd like to see you rebuild and test the 455 as it would have been in 1970.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 Cast pistons will not always yeild sooner than a forged slug. In fact, I feel ring gap is more important for survival then piston construction when using boost.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 Forged pistons on street engines are not that pleasant for a few reasons. The best way I can think to compare is there's no one piston for any application. The Hyper is light and best at shedding heat, forged can't shed heat as quickly but is much less prone to shattering with detonation. However it will almost always yield sooner and give up the ghost tho the detonation resistance alone makes it support good power while it is alive. Straight cast can't shed the heat as quickly but is less prone to shattering than a hyper making it a good piston for combos that see street driving at reasonable power levels. It can support big power with a really good tune just like hyper pistons can. The key point is avoiding detonation. Forged pistons are just good at taking it but do little in the way of avoiding it.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 not true. tune is king. theres a guy with a stock 383 magnum with jsut a cam that is making 590hp and 720 ft lbs with a non intercooled gt45 turbo and carb. stock cast pistons.
A common man steet rod build up. Headers, heads, cam, forged pistons. Richard; you do a great job with your videos and I really look forward to them. It's all about learning! Thank You!!!
Love to see someone diving into these old school buick 455's. My dad is a huge buick fan and has about 5 of these sitting around the shop. He actually just built a new engine for his 71 GS stage one.
I'm no mechanic, I'm just a 50 year old automotive enthusiast. I'm new to Buicks with the purchase of a already hot rodded 50' Buick with a EFI 350 Chevy in it. It's a good runner, but I'm in the planning stages of a new build and I'm thinking about a 455. I would love to see what went wrong with that engine. I would also love to see what can be done (respectably) with a 455. I don't see a lot of aftermarket support for the Buick like I do with the Chevys, so your comment of Edelbrock and TA parts caught my attention. Thanks for your time!
WRX Owners are foaming at the mouth after watching your unequal length masterpiece ! AUTOPSY , AUTOPSY, AUTOPSY ! Ring gap, forged bits and SMOG low compression setup for oncoming future SAVAGERY UNDER BOOST ! You rock, Richard, thanks for all the hard work ! 🤘😎👍
Let's see inside the Buick! Years ago my 455 Olds had 8 pistons, then during a hard run it had 7 pistons along with 1 piston that looked like driveway gravel.
I'm in with everybody else !!! Tear it down , show the results , then rebuild it with stage one components, then BOOST it . That engine is a Torque monster......wow..... I need that thing in my Flatty V-drive !!!, Keep up the fun videos Richard 👍👍👍👍
I'm not a Buick guy but yes!! Take it apart throw some pistons and rods in it!! I love seeing you do these forgotten engines!! I get so tired of the cookie cutter ls everybody follow the leader builds!! I look forward to seeing your vids. They really make my day!!
Yes on the autopsy. If the motor wasn’t really hurt too bad then just keep it cheap and simple. Rebuild it with more ring gap and with a better intake and camshaft and see what that smog motor can really do. Budget and simple upgrades. If the engine was really hurt and needs new pistons then maybe upgrade it to something like 9.5 to 1 compression and modern aluminum cylinder heads too. Great videos Richard keep doing them.
On the last run, on the passenger side it looks like water running down on to the exhaust pipe from the head before you started the run. I'm guessing head gasket. Do a tear down vid . I like this series. My first car at 16 was a Buick GS. Nice dance moves Richard!
Loving seeing the videos on the Buicks grew up around them and currently building my own, I agree with the others on wanting to see the tear down. Switching to a single plane like the sp1 from TA would probably be good and opening the ring gap. I think I saw when it popped up briefly that the timing was at 39 initial. Maybe back the timing down a bit more with it being iron headed I know it is a later year engine but would be good to check if the heads match the block or are earlier heads as that can change the compression a fair amount. I was also seeing something spitting out in the middle of the head on the passenger side on the pulls. Head gasket may have not been in great shape before and even worse now or gave up completely
Thanks Richard, I love these other guys videos. 1: Autopsy Yes 2: stage one Yes, Street build with a carb, maybe swap for an alum, int. And swap to dyno headers so the afrs per cyl can be tested!
For sure take this Buick to the next level. I love all your videos, but I really love the Buick testing, as I bought a 71 GS350 right out of high school, and put a 455 in it about a year later, with an Offy intake, mild Crane cam, 750 AFB, and headers. I really loved that car, and it was a blast to drive. I almost never comment on videos, but I had too, this time. Great job Richard, and please continue with the Buick series. Matt
I say go all-out with it. Like 4-bolt splayed caps, ARP everything, radical hydraulic roller valvetrain(Rhoads lifters?), ceramic-coated pistons/combustion chambers/exhaust runners, stepped longtube headers, gapless rings, Super Victor intake, throw everything at it!
hey Richard its your channel whatever music you play in your videos is just fine.The people who actually took the time to complain about the music get a life for real.I am sick of the negative people in this world can see the service your providing for that alone Richard play whatever music you desire cause i appreciate what your doing.
Yes, stage 1, fix the broken stuff, ring gap it, aftermarket hi rise dual plane, if available, & boost it again!! More boost, More fun! Great job Richard, Thanks. Keep up the good work.
Agreed! 700lbs with stock everything is super cool! This set up needs to be in someone's wife's full size 70s wagon... With a set of 3 to 3.50 gears and an overdrive, it would be the ultimate sleeper cruiser
@@jimmy_olds I had 69 Buick Riviera with these engine rebuilt my Quadrajet, hopped up spark control, it had 400trans and not sure of rear gears but would run 60mph the RPM was like 2300!! She was huge 2 door car, two men to carry one of the bumpers!! She got on the interstate driving 20mpg !! All day long With a/c on!!
Gentle man said this was 1975 engine that would be I call smog motor?? Soup bowl pistons? N restricted intake?? Plus heads would be were u could put baseball in dish of piston n heads hav such big chamber turn engine over n the baseball would not keep engine from turning overby hand!!
Great Video, I have a Buick 455 and Turbo 400 with about 30 thousand miles on it. I rebuilt it back stock about 20 years ago and run it in a 79 Regal. I have been looking at stage 2 heads from TA Performance, Headers, and I acquired a double roller timing chain. The mains are the concern with the Buick 455, I would open up the oil feeds to the main bearings if I was going to tear it down again, also opening the drain up in the lifter valley so the oil can drain back to the pan quicker. Nicks Garage built one on YOU TUBE and Dyno tested it, Buick 455 Engines are torque monsters!!!!
you said it had rebuild tags on it, maybe it has had a hard life and been overheated one too many times so it keeps lifting heads, or maybe they did a sloppy job with the rebuild and only did one of the two heads? who knows, but I'd love to see a teardown!
I’m going with the piston top popping due to ring gap. Yes! Autopsy. Upgrade to stage one specs. I can’t believe how productive you are. I’m loving this other guys series!
Yes, please autopsy. I wonder given its provenance if it was getting enough engine oil in the chamber to detonate. Don't see any point in putting it back together with stock pistons and rods as forged pistons (altered compression ratio aside) don't make more power. How about some 9-9.5:1 pistons and some MOAR boost?
I think the music is great! Never laughed so hard when the engine fired right up!! Please keep the music! Its great! It's what makes you different from the other channels!
factory it has forged rods, even budget forged pistons are usually lighter by design changes than factory or replacement style cast or hyperEu pistons. stock crank is perfectly adequate
A teardown video would be great, and yes you should build the forged internal shortblock, then proceed to step up the combo from stage 1 to the turbo setup. The amount of torque from that thing is impressive. Good "other guy" engine for a heavy street machine. When I was growing up, a guy that lived down the street was really into the boat tail Rivieras, and he ran 455's exclusively. I can see why. Thank you Richard, I find your videos very instructional and entertaining.
That thing makes giant torque! Great test series 👍🏼 Absolutely to a tear down. I’ve damaged motors several times in my life with boost (roots blowers) and I know you’ll teach me something through your tear down and analysis. My 2cents is: provided it’s not a spun main bearing, you should rebuild stock or close to stock. Notable exceptions being a cam that will move the torque up 1000-1500 rpm and a single plane intake. I’m guessing it’s fuel distribution that bit you....
Yeah, 510 @ 2800 rpms factory stock. I'm a former AMC/JEEP & GM Dealership Mechanic,. I worked a specialty shop in Miami called Corvette South, but I'm a Blue Oval guy with a soft spot for the Buick 455.
I think your right about the distribution. I think one of the cyls farthest from the carb ran lean and hot. Maybe the ring gap closed and broke the piston. I would like to see it torn down and diagnosed. I would also like to see it rebuilt to 1970 stage 1 specs then modify it with aftermarket heads cam and intake. Thanks for the vids Richard
Richard, you seem like a really cool care free guy. Be great to hang out in person. I’ve enjoyed watching your all your videos the past six months, you have changed the game with your knowledge through your Chanel. You should be considered a national treasure in the mechanical world, not just cars related. Also, you are the reason why I am having my 4th Gen 5.7 to 6.4 StrokerHemi built the way it is with : ring gap, 11:0:1 compression, and a high lift& 210/226 duration torque cam since it’s going in a 2013 Ram 4door(5,500Ib’s). I think many would agree with me, but can you do the stage 1 version with high compression and ring gap.
The Rave music works!, as for the wounded engine, i would love to see the forged internals,quality fasteners,etc,so we can see how much that 455 REALLY has, and THANK YOU for always being informative, and intertaining !
Strip, assess, rebuild for big boost! Oh and love the Dino run footage! Adds a little more to the videos as well as the dyno results. So more of that please.
You jam to what ever music you want as long as you keep this amazing content coming!!! Thank you for what you do!! I’m thinking ring land but that’s a shot in the dark. Would love the autopsy video and throw the kitchen sink at it to see how much power it can push!👍🏻
You know what we want to see!! All of it!! :-) Did it for sure send a piston south or did a head gasket let go? Big bore motors put a lot of stress on the head bolts because more surface area is exposed to cylinder pressure. 6:09 pretty good stream of water running over number 4 exhaust also watch that geiser on the right side of the screen (left hand front) start spewing on the front of the engine when the load hits! I think you lifted the heads.
I've been doing front line industrial/automotive repair all my life, I'm 60. I've never seen anyone get so much obscure shit through a dyno cell so fast and thoroughly. I hope you get paid well! I have access to some gas turbines with a shaft output, you up for it?
@@richardholdener1727 yes sir. Specifically any turboshaft with a free turbine. a free turbine works like a torque converter. it uses hot gas against a stator instead of atf.
1.Choke crossovers partial problem IMO. 2. Possible paper headgasket limits 3. Please share the autopsy 4. Gap rings new MLS head gaskets and an after market intake. As usual excellent results and really I enjoy the channel !!😎♥️
I'd love to see you turbo that 3.8L L67 supercharged engine. Your channel has so much information that imo students interested in engine building should watch your videos
Love the videos brother, JUNKYARD DOG BUICK!! Yes to autopsy - backyard repair bad cylinder (one piston/rings?, deglaze & ball hone and ignore any damage) put ring gap in all other cylinders, NEW rings, OLD pistons. Then stage 1 cam with new dual plane intake and crank the boost!!
Almost 1000 comments...must be a new record Richard! Congrats 👍🏼 Now for junkyard Pontiac and Oldsmobile 455‘s turbo’d for a big block, junk yard-cheapo challenge! ??? You’re soon to have 100k subscribers 😁
Yes I would like to see a teardown and diagnosis of the engine. There was supposed to be a dealer option Stage 2 that was available. Forgot what I read about it. Also read Buick engineers had plans and possibly prototype parts for a Stage 3 option for racing. That would be cool. Whichever way you go, something that can be driven to and from the track and car shows. Thank you.
Richard, would love to see the tear down on how badly it's hurt. I think once you see how bad it is, then you determine what route to go for the next build. If it needs bored (likely) no sense in just putting 1 piston in it. If you're going to put 8 pistons in it, you might as well get the compression up, and add rods for durability.
Here is what I run for boosted 455 Buick. Started with 70 block and stage 1 heads. Stock rods and crank with old SE forged pistons. A lot of work on oiling system so at hot idle (900rpm) it has 15 pounds oil pressure, 70 psi @6200 rpm. Assembly fully balanced. Postons girdled oil pan. Ported stage 1 heads. Custom solid lifter cam with 113 LSA. SP1 manifold, Fitech FI MSD 6530 programmible box. Modified D-1 Procharger running 90% max rpm. Runs on 93 octane with 22 degrees of timing at max boost. I have not data logged since blower was modified so not sure what max boost is (think it is about 12, but really busy driving at max boost.)
Definitely an autopsy. Like a lot of the guys I think you will find a broke ring and subsequently the piston. I was expecting a lot of blow-by on a high mileage engine, but I was hoping that the extra cylinder wear would help out on the ring gap enough to let you finish the tests. Unlike a lot of guys that write in I don’t have a lot of money, so I would like to see what a quality re-build, with an eye on boosting it in the near future, would do on the dyno. Then of course, a dyno session with boost. Power is money and it takes money to make power so if I were to do it at home I wouldn’t figure on more than 10 psi when rebuilding due to cost. That would give me an idea what it would cost to boost my 460 powered F150. My uncle has a GMC with a Buick 455 in it and we are always arguing which is the best. LOL Great show. I love watching your different combinations.
712 ft lbs!!! The Buford is brutal, I love it!!! 😆👍🏻 I think it lifted a ring and broke a piston or 5, please do an autopsy video! Damn this is awesome!! 😄👍🏻
Teardown and rebuild with gaptized stock bottom end, and go carzy with cam and head options. I know folks are saying ring butting causing land failure, but it might also be head gasket failure into the coolant or oil return system; notice how the water pump leak started to stream harder before failure?
I had my fingers crossed when you started it! The music adds a nice touch but the dance was even better hahah. It’s time to rebuild and upgrade it! Let’s see +14 psi
Head gasket ,needs a single plane with the turbo! A cam at “050” 230int -240 ex around that range, 10.5 comp, full bottom end , better oiling,aluminum heads. That’s a lot of work buddy! Love your videos!!
Bpoe engines are super sensitive to coolant temp because of block and head coolant passage design, not running the water pump is probably not the best idea for these engines, the factory pump must be running at all times! I would also advise a 160° thermostat on all boo engines as they tend to run hot causing rapid expansion of the con rod and main bearings, I've also seen cam bearings seize from something as mundane as a stuck thermostat or water pump failure, that's why the upgraded aluminum case water pump is a must and 160° thermostat I've never had any issues with these engines with this setup, also another factor with these engines is the external oil pump. It's always a great idea to thourougly check this system for cast flash in the passages and install high volume gears in the pump with new pressure spring and gaskets. Much like the AMC 360/ 390/ 401 same oiling issues but further surgery is involved ( running extra an lines from the pump to feed the rear main bearing and restricters in the cam gallery
Rave is your signature, and yes tear down on camera... I've built some 455s in my youth with lunati custom cams, along with oil pump mods...would be fun to see you build it up a little
Strip it down to find out what failed , then port it , cam , springs , ring gap , bottom end balance & send it to the moon !! Love seeing these not so popular engines getting some Dyno time & your enthusiasm is really infectious , great job Richard !!!
Autopsy please! As far as the upgrades go... oiling mods first, these have known oiling issues. These are weak in two spots when making power, lifter bore and it’s a 2-bolt. There are girdles for both of these weak spots. Maybe do some block fill too if you really want to push the stock block to it’s max. I didn’t do any of the girdle/block mods because my motor is only making mid 500hp range and I don’t rev the engine over 5000rpm... I run pump gas 10.5:1. Go to TA performance and see about their SPX intake and their various stage heads. They have some awesome cams to choose from too. Looking forward to this Buick series ALOT! Thanks dude!
What he said!
John HG interesting post. i am intrigued by the 550 hp at 5000 rpm. do you have a lot of airflow? stroker kit? thanks for posting.
Hi John Becay, my motor uses stock crank and was bored .038 over (464ci) to use a Chrysler piston size. Cam isn’t crazy with a lift in the 500 range. 850cfm quickfuel. Stage 2 TA heads. SPX intake. I got about 440hp/455tq at the wheels on a mustang dyno with a th400 so my rough math is mid 500hp at crank. I asked TA performance for the formula to build a pump gas motor that would make a reliable 500+ hp. 2500 stall is all that’s needed so it daily drives like it used to with the stock small block.... it’s a perfect build for street driving. I could go with a more aggressive cam and push closer to 600hp but you start sacrificing street-ability.
@@johnhg3994 thanks for getting back. how much do your heads flow? you have a very sound street combo. what's your rear gearing? have you taken it down the 1/4 mile? you have a well thought out build.
John Becay thanks for the compliments... it was my grandmothers skylark I got in high school! Haha. I didn’t do any head flow calculations. intake valves are 1.755 and exhaust is 2.125 (I might be off by a hundredth or thousandth, been a while since they were assembled). I’m running the TA stage 2 SE heads with a little port and polish. The cam is the TA 413hlr. Roller lifters and rockers. 12bolt with 3.73 with 28” tire. I live far enough from any drag strip that I haven’t had time to run it. It has a th400 that drives nice but I’m in the process of swapping to a 4l80e with lockup and trans-brake. I’m thinking it might be a high 11 car if I launch it hard. I have a lot of money in it so I’m terrified at the prospect of putting it into the wall. I shed a decent amount of weight with the Buick 455 already being the lightest big block (weighs about the same as a small block Chevy) all aluminum except short block. Pulled the heavy bench seat out and stuck two of the lightest recaro buckets I could find in it. And it has a fiberglass hood. I haven’t weighed it but I figure it’s pretty reasonable for a 71 skylark.
Yes to autopsy videos!
And yes its time to bump to the "stage one"
William Stevens : Mee three! Area 51 Autopsy, Mr H! Great run....fat and flat 700 foot pounding torque...Buick Turbo der Werlt!
Stage1
What he said!
Absolutely! 🐿🐿
Heck Yeah! Alien Autopsy, then stage one. Keep going on this beast!
I am an extreme Buick big block freak. back in the 80s and 90s I circle burned my 455, one piston was .020 bigger than all the rest. I ran that big block at 6000 RPM at the end of every straight away I won every race I ever went to unless somebody knocked me off the track. I just built a 500 horse 430 cubic out of a 68 wildcat. I'm pulling the international motor out of the Binderbird and putting in the big block Buick with a turbo 400 with a transfer case kit. I got this car In 1978 and turned it into a 4x4 in 88. Not some junker on a 4x4 frame this is a show quality daily driver. Love your vids!!! UA-cam Binderbird
dang richard almost 100k. one of the fastest growing channels ive ever seen. put bearings, pistons,rods and studs in it. i think you lost it due to age. tear it down and show us.
yup agreed, mild port etc . mild not wild
He is on to something with that air distribution!! Those old intakes starve the furthest cylinders ?? At higher RPM!!
@Jeff Kopis I am well aware
Amazing that you got 500 hp out of a throw away engine, which no telling what abuse/horrors that engine has endured! I am in the “camp” that junkyard engines are “cores” that you disassemble before you run, but that is just me. I love when others run engines “as is” and let’s me see what goes wrong, really a great learning experience I can apply to my core engines! Thanks for the effort Richard, I love the channel
Take it apart to access the damage and then "home stage" like port heads and ring gap just to be cheap and safe.
Porting takes a LOT of time.
Yes to teardown video. Yes to Stage 1 buildup. Yes to forged internals and further testing with more performance parts. Loved the 455 Buick videos to date, looking forward to more!
Definitely do the tear down/autopsy vid. Love to see what held together and what went south.
Then build as a Stage 1 clone ( or close to) so you can compare today's Edelbrock and T/A offerings with factory GM HiPo equipment.
See how good the factory was verses 21st century tech.
Keep up the great work!
Love your channel.
Yes on autopsy.
In around 1988 I bought a 1974 Buick Apollo with a blown 350.
I put a high mileage 1970 10:1 compression 455 from a station wagon in it.
The cranking cylinder pressure averaged 195 - 200.
I had two Quadrajets neither of which worked properly so I bought a new Carter (wasn't Edelbrock yet) AFB and a strip kit.
After dialing in the AFB, putting a shift kit in the TH350, and adjusting the vacuum modulator to suit my preference the car ran well on the street.
I was very happy with it. The combination of the 600 CFM carb, as much timing as I could get away with on pump gas, and the
torquey nature of the Buick 455 resulted in outstanding throttle response even with the stock rear end (I believe it was something like 2.73:1).
The exhaust consisted of stock manifolds, dual exhaust with an H-pipe and straight-through stainless steel mufflers called "Turbo Tubes."
It sounded great, ran smooth, and was just powerful enough to be fun without breaking the other stock parts or twisting the body.
That meant it was cheap. I doubt I had more than 1500 late 80's dollars into the whole thing.
I felt it was a near perfect street car at the time. It pulled hard from idle to 5000 (where a daily driver runs the most),
cruised effortlessly at 70 or 80 on the freeway, ran on pump gas, was cheap to build, and was a good size vehicle for a
bachelors daily driver. Two door with front disk brakes and a decent sized trunk without being too big.
You really can't go wrong with an X-body and a torquey big block.
The only thing it needed that I never did was heavier springs in the front.
I drove it for a few years. Eventually it broke a piston and that was the end of it.
It was a cheap build that was pretty much wore out from front to back so it went to the wrecking yard.
I have fond memories of it. It was the quickest and fastest vehicle I ever had other than a motorcycle.
I'd like to see you rebuild and test the 455 as it would have been in 1970.
Do a tear down for sure. Probably cast pistons with a million miles. It was most likely injured before you killed it!
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 Cast pistons will not always yeild sooner than a forged slug. In fact, I feel ring gap is more important for survival then piston construction when using boost.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 you know how many big power diesels still run cast. Not even hyper.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 Forged pistons on street engines are not that pleasant for a few reasons. The best way I can think to compare is there's no one piston for any application. The Hyper is light and best at shedding heat, forged can't shed heat as quickly but is much less prone to shattering with detonation. However it will almost always yield sooner and give up the ghost tho the detonation resistance alone makes it support good power while it is alive. Straight cast can't shed the heat as quickly but is less prone to shattering than a hyper making it a good piston for combos that see street driving at reasonable power levels. It can support big power with a really good tune just like hyper pistons can. The key point is avoiding detonation. Forged pistons are just good at taking it but do little in the way of avoiding it.
@@chevyfarmersgarage1955 not true. tune is king. theres a guy with a stock 383 magnum with jsut a cam that is making 590hp and 720 ft lbs with a non intercooled gt45 turbo and carb. stock cast pistons.
Mad mod- you are 100% correct 🏁
A common man steet rod build up. Headers, heads, cam, forged pistons. Richard; you do a great job with your videos and I really look forward to them. It's all about learning! Thank You!!!
Don’t loose the Rave music.
It just represents your enthusiasm!
Love to see someone diving into these old school buick 455's. My dad is a huge buick fan and has about 5 of these sitting around the shop. He actually just built a new engine for his 71 GS stage one.
I'm no mechanic, I'm just a 50 year old automotive enthusiast. I'm new to Buicks with the purchase of a already hot rodded 50' Buick with a EFI 350 Chevy in it. It's a good runner, but I'm in the planning stages of a new build and I'm thinking about a 455. I would love to see what went wrong with that engine. I would also love to see what can be done (respectably) with a 455. I don't see a lot of aftermarket support for the Buick like I do with the Chevys, so your comment of Edelbrock and TA parts caught my attention. Thanks for your time!
Disregard my last request... clearly I was a little late to the party and I found the videos in question right after I posted my comment. DOH!!!
WRX Owners are foaming at the mouth after watching your unequal length masterpiece !
AUTOPSY , AUTOPSY, AUTOPSY !
Ring gap, forged bits and SMOG low compression setup for oncoming future SAVAGERY UNDER BOOST !
You rock, Richard, thanks for all the hard work ! 🤘😎👍
Do it all! Tear down, Stage 1, aluminum heads, the works!
Richard it looks like you enjoy making these videos as much as I enjoy watching them. Autopsy and stage 1.
Let's see inside the Buick! Years ago my 455 Olds had 8 pistons, then during a hard run it had 7 pistons along with 1 piston that looked like driveway gravel.
I'm in with everybody else !!! Tear it down , show the results , then rebuild it with stage one components, then BOOST it . That engine is a Torque monster......wow..... I need that thing in my Flatty V-drive !!!, Keep up the fun videos Richard 👍👍👍👍
Richard , ABSOLUTELY we need a autopsy video
John Woodworth : Man Da Tory _ore Top See Hombre...
I'm not a Buick guy but yes!! Take it apart throw some pistons and rods in it!! I love seeing you do these forgotten engines!! I get so tired of the cookie cutter ls everybody follow the leader builds!! I look forward to seeing your vids. They really make my day!!
She was tired from the start. Open her up, toss in some forged goodies, and show the world some real buick performance
Yes on the autopsy. If the motor wasn’t really hurt too bad then just keep it cheap and simple. Rebuild it with more ring gap and with a better intake and camshaft and see what that smog motor can really do. Budget and simple upgrades. If the engine was really hurt and needs new pistons then maybe upgrade it to something like 9.5 to 1 compression and modern aluminum cylinder heads too. Great videos Richard keep doing them.
On the last run, on the passenger side it looks like water running down on to the exhaust pipe from the head before you started the run. I'm guessing head gasket. Do a tear down vid . I like this series. My first car at 16 was a Buick GS. Nice dance moves Richard!
It's about time I've been waiting for this. Buick has been overlooked for years.But it is one of the baddest big block on the planet for sure.
Loving seeing the videos on the Buicks grew up around them and currently building my own, I agree with the others on wanting to see the tear down. Switching to a single plane like the sp1 from TA would probably be good and opening the ring gap. I think I saw when it popped up briefly that the timing was at 39 initial. Maybe back the timing down a bit more with it being iron headed I know it is a later year engine but would be good to check if the heads match the block or are earlier heads as that can change the compression a fair amount. I was also seeing something spitting out in the middle of the head on the passenger side on the pulls. Head gasket may have not been in great shape before and even worse now or gave up completely
Thanks Richard, I love these other guys videos. 1: Autopsy Yes 2: stage one Yes, Street build with a carb, maybe swap for an alum, int. And swap to dyno headers so the afrs per cyl can be tested!
Take it apart and do the stage 1! Would love to also see the forged version, maybe it can make 900+ ft lb of torque on 93
For sure take this Buick to the next level. I love all your videos, but I really love the Buick testing, as I bought a 71 GS350 right out of high school, and put a 455 in it about a year later, with an Offy intake, mild Crane cam, 750 AFB, and headers. I really loved that car, and it was a blast to drive. I almost never comment on videos, but I had too, this time. Great job Richard, and please continue with the Buick series. Matt
I want to see the gore! autopsy please! I'd love to see what we can do, but I like the idea of exploring with the stock intake.
OMG Richard , you're a goofball !! Love you man, thanks again for all your work !!
Keep the rave music, it actually made me laugh this time!
This time he did the Beavis and butthead dance with the rave joint was funny as fuck lol
I say go all-out with it. Like 4-bolt splayed caps, ARP everything, radical hydraulic roller valvetrain(Rhoads lifters?), ceramic-coated pistons/combustion chambers/exhaust runners, stepped longtube headers, gapless rings, Super Victor intake, throw everything at it!
>Richard post a video at 2am
"Guess I'm not going to bed"
Lol
hey Richard its your channel whatever music you play in your videos is just fine.The people who actually took the time to complain about the music get a life for real.I am sick of the negative people in this world can see the service your providing for that alone Richard play whatever music you desire cause i appreciate what your doing.
Dewayne Boothe : Aha, but it scared my cat away and its not been back since! Im here for Nova467. Need some DC Sound Check from Clutch....
Autopsy, Stage 1, Oh yeah!!!! Good stuff!
Yes, stage 1, fix the broken stuff, ring gap it, aftermarket hi rise dual plane, if available, & boost it again!! More boost, More fun! Great job Richard, Thanks. Keep up the good work.
That little slappy dance was perfect 👌 hahahaha
Cedric Gaucher : Yup. Hes bustin moves maynnn.
Dean Stevenson yea haha he really read every comment and answer as many possible! I just asked him this dance haha!
Forged internals and heads... Great job Richard!
You’ve gotta do an autopsy!! Lol I’m guessing a ring touched and broke the ring land. A stage 1 build would be cool
And btw, 700+ ftlbs!! What a beast
Jim H. Yeahwhoooo.700 dagyumi poundi...epic!
Agreed! 700lbs with stock everything is super cool! This set up needs to be in someone's wife's full size 70s wagon... With a set of 3 to 3.50 gears and an overdrive, it would be the ultimate sleeper cruiser
Eric Enfield amen brother! And it’d probably still get decent MPG’s
@@jimmy_olds I had 69 Buick Riviera with these engine rebuilt my Quadrajet, hopped up spark control, it had 400trans and not sure of rear gears but would run 60mph the RPM was like 2300!! She was huge 2 door car, two men to carry one of the bumpers!! She got on the interstate driving 20mpg !! All day long With a/c on!!
Gentle man said this was 1975 engine that would be I call smog motor?? Soup bowl pistons? N restricted intake?? Plus heads would be were u could put baseball in dish of piston n heads hav such big chamber turn engine over n the baseball would not keep engine from turning overby hand!!
Great Video, I have a Buick 455
and Turbo 400 with about 30
thousand miles on it. I rebuilt
it back stock about 20 years
ago and run it in a 79 Regal.
I have been looking at stage 2
heads from TA Performance,
Headers, and I acquired a double
roller timing chain. The mains are
the concern with the Buick 455, I
would open up the oil feeds to the
main bearings if I was going to
tear it down again, also opening
the drain up in the lifter valley so
the oil can drain back to the pan
quicker. Nicks Garage built one on
YOU TUBE and Dyno tested it,
Buick 455 Engines are torque
monsters!!!!
you said it had rebuild tags on it, maybe it has had a hard life and been overheated one too many times so it keeps lifting heads, or maybe they did a sloppy job with the rebuild and only did one of the two heads? who knows, but I'd love to see a teardown!
I’m going with the piston top popping due to ring gap. Yes! Autopsy.
Upgrade to stage one specs.
I can’t believe how productive you are. I’m loving this other guys series!
Yes, please autopsy. I wonder given its provenance if it was getting enough engine oil in the chamber to detonate.
Don't see any point in putting it back together with stock pistons and rods as forged pistons (altered compression ratio aside) don't make more power. How about some 9-9.5:1 pistons and some MOAR boost?
Gotta love it when older engine can still have a few surprises left in them
Looks like a amazing truck motor power curve
I think the music is great! Never laughed so hard when the engine fired right up!! Please keep the music! Its great! It's what makes you different from the other channels!
Definitely tear down on camera
Definitely stage 1
No need for forged internals unless going over 650 hp
Yes these old machines are tough at lower RPM!!
You don't think he's going over 650hp..?
It seems too easy to make 1100 hp and 95,000 lbft of torque with this thing....he ah gonna build it.
factory it has forged rods, even budget forged pistons are usually lighter by design changes than factory or replacement style cast or hyperEu pistons. stock crank is perfectly adequate
A teardown video would be great, and yes you should build the forged internal shortblock, then proceed to step up the combo from stage 1 to the turbo setup. The amount of torque from that thing is impressive. Good "other guy" engine for a heavy street machine.
When I was growing up, a guy that lived down the street was really into the boat tail Rivieras, and he ran 455's exclusively. I can see why.
Thank you Richard, I find your videos very instructional and entertaining.
That thing makes giant torque! Great test series 👍🏼
Absolutely to a tear down. I’ve damaged motors several times in my life with boost (roots blowers) and I know you’ll teach me something through your tear down and analysis.
My 2cents is: provided it’s not a spun main bearing, you should rebuild stock or close to stock. Notable exceptions being a cam that will move the torque up 1000-1500 rpm and a single plane intake.
I’m guessing it’s fuel distribution that bit you....
Yeah, 510 @ 2800 rpms factory stock. I'm a former AMC/JEEP & GM Dealership Mechanic,. I worked a specialty shop in Miami called Corvette South, but I'm a Blue Oval guy with a soft spot for the Buick 455.
A big YES for the teardown video. If enough has survived, a resurrection and more boost would be great!
love seeing the fab on this channel "autopsies" would be awesime too
I think your right about the distribution. I think one of the cyls farthest from the carb ran lean and hot. Maybe the ring gap closed and broke the piston. I would like to see it torn down and diagnosed.
I would also like to see it rebuilt to 1970 stage 1 specs then modify it with aftermarket heads cam and intake.
Thanks for the vids Richard
These smog era motors must be ideal for boost with their 7 -7.5:1 compression
Richard, you seem like a really cool care free guy. Be great to hang out in person.
I’ve enjoyed watching your all your videos the past six months, you have changed the game with your knowledge through your Chanel. You should be considered a national treasure in the mechanical world, not just cars related.
Also, you are the reason why I am having my 4th Gen 5.7 to 6.4 StrokerHemi built the way it is with : ring gap, 11:0:1 compression, and a high lift& 210/226 duration torque cam since it’s going in a 2013 Ram 4door(5,500Ib’s).
I think many would agree with me, but can you do the stage 1 version with high compression and ring gap.
Id like to see the disassembly and then rebuild it as forged just to see what you can do with it
The Rave music works!, as for the wounded engine, i would love to see the forged internals,quality fasteners,etc,so we can see how much that 455 REALLY has, and THANK YOU for always being informative, and intertaining !
Tear it down. Upgrade some stuff and save it from the scrapyard.
Strip, assess, rebuild for big boost! Oh and love the Dino run footage! Adds a little more to the videos as well as the dyno results. So more of that please.
Richard, you bust your ass making these videos, play what you want. But about that "dancing". Autopsy, yes.
You jam to what ever music you want as long as you keep this amazing content coming!!! Thank you for what you do!! I’m thinking ring land but that’s a shot in the dark. Would love the autopsy video and throw the kitchen sink at it to see how much power it can push!👍🏻
Yes tear it down!
You know what we want to see!! All of it!! :-) Did it for sure send a piston south or did a head gasket let go? Big bore motors put a lot of stress on the head bolts because more surface area is exposed to cylinder pressure. 6:09 pretty good stream of water running over number 4 exhaust also watch that geiser on the right side of the screen (left hand front) start spewing on the front of the engine when the load hits! I think you lifted the heads.
I've been doing front line industrial/automotive repair all my life, I'm 60. I've never seen anyone get so much obscure shit through a dyno cell so fast and thoroughly. I hope you get paid well! I have access to some gas turbines with a shaft output, you up for it?
turbines are cool-like the Helicopter motors they use in Unlimited Hydros?
Richard Holdener
Yep! That would be cool, but they aren’t really modifiable..
@@kevintucker3354 they are, just in a different manner. Something as simple as spraying water into the combustion chamber makes big gains.
@@richardholdener1727 yes sir. Specifically any turboshaft with a free turbine. a free turbine works like a torque converter. it uses hot gas against a stator instead of atf.
1.Choke crossovers partial problem IMO.
2. Possible paper headgasket limits
3. Please share the autopsy
4. Gap rings new MLS head gaskets and an after market intake.
As usual excellent results and really I enjoy the channel !!😎♥️
It would be awesome to put that motor in a Grand National
Yes, do a autopsy. Then build it... Love the videos. Keep up the good work. 😁
I think this whole last load of "other guys" deserve a razor blade rebuild at least.
Smack that! Great enthusiasm Richard! I get pumped up with you!!
Keep the Music Richard. 👍
Thank you I really enjoyed this series & all your work, definitely do an autopsy and give it another chance.
Stage 2
I'd love to see you turbo that 3.8L L67 supercharged engine.
Your channel has so much information that imo students interested in engine building should watch your videos
As with electronics, once you release the magic smoke the fun comes to an end
Love the videos brother, JUNKYARD DOG BUICK!! Yes to autopsy - backyard repair bad cylinder (one piston/rings?, deglaze & ball hone and ignore any damage) put ring gap in all other cylinders, NEW rings, OLD pistons. Then stage 1 cam with new dual plane intake and crank the boost!!
Aaaahh yesss.. new boosted video with morning Joe! Thank RH!
Almost 1000 comments...must be a new record Richard! Congrats 👍🏼
Now for junkyard Pontiac and Oldsmobile 455‘s turbo’d for a big block, junk yard-cheapo challenge! ???
You’re soon to have 100k subscribers 😁
Yes I would like to see a teardown and diagnosis of the engine. There was supposed to be a dealer option Stage 2 that was available. Forgot what I read about it. Also read Buick engineers had plans and possibly prototype parts for a Stage 3 option for racing. That would be cool.
Whichever way you go, something that can be driven to and from the track and car shows. Thank you.
Haha, I respect this man for his sick dance moves in front of a junk yard turbo 455. Great content bud, keep on keeping on.
Yes to everything at the end of the video!!
Richard love to see what you find, love to see the results.
Richard, would love to see the tear down on how badly it's hurt. I think once you see how bad it is, then you determine what route to go for the next build. If it needs bored (likely) no sense in just putting 1 piston in it. If you're going to put 8 pistons in it, you might as well get the compression up, and add rods for durability.
Definitely tear it down. Thanks for the videos, they are always entertaining.
Teardown and heads/cam, turn up the boost!!! Love these videos!!
You have fun while doing this and it shows in the quality of your videos. Thank you.
Awesome series, probably good idea to compare deck heights to ensure Rodney's straight. Fun stuff!
Here is what I run for boosted 455 Buick. Started with 70 block and stage 1 heads. Stock rods and crank with old SE forged pistons. A lot of work on oiling system so at hot idle (900rpm) it has 15 pounds oil pressure, 70 psi @6200 rpm. Assembly fully balanced. Postons girdled oil pan. Ported stage 1 heads. Custom solid lifter cam with 113 LSA. SP1 manifold, Fitech FI MSD 6530 programmible box. Modified D-1 Procharger running 90% max rpm. Runs on 93 octane with 22 degrees of timing at max boost. I have not data logged since blower was modified so not sure what max boost is (think it is about 12, but really busy driving at max boost.)
Forged internals and heads... Great job Richard!
Please show us what failed.
I think it's definitely worth a teardown and rebuild with TA goodies!!
I like the music. Its fun and energetic and fits your attitude in the videos
Definitely an autopsy. Like a lot of the guys I think you will find a broke ring and subsequently the piston. I was expecting a lot of blow-by on a high mileage engine, but I was hoping that the extra cylinder wear would help out on the ring gap enough to let you finish the tests.
Unlike a lot of guys that write in I don’t have a lot of money, so I would like to see what a quality re-build, with an eye on boosting it in the near future, would do on the dyno. Then of course, a dyno session with boost.
Power is money and it takes money to make power so if I were to do it at home I wouldn’t figure on more than 10 psi when rebuilding due to cost. That would give me an idea what it would cost to boost my 460 powered F150. My uncle has a GMC with a Buick 455 in it and we are always arguing which is the best. LOL
Great show. I love watching your different combinations.
Definitely do a tear down. Loving the current content!
i absolutely love the 455 what a monster
712 ft lbs!!! The Buford is brutal, I love it!!! 😆👍🏻 I think it lifted a ring and broke a piston or 5, please do an autopsy video! Damn this is awesome!! 😄👍🏻
Teardown and rebuild with gaptized stock bottom end, and go carzy with cam and head options. I know folks are saying ring butting causing land failure, but it might also be head gasket failure into the coolant or oil return system; notice how the water pump leak started to stream harder before failure?
I had my fingers crossed when you started it! The music adds a nice touch but the dance was even better hahah. It’s time to rebuild and upgrade it! Let’s see +14 psi
Head gasket ,needs a single plane with the turbo! A cam at “050” 230int -240 ex around that range, 10.5 comp, full bottom end , better oiling,aluminum heads. That’s a lot of work buddy! Love your videos!!
Bpoe engines are super sensitive to coolant temp because of block and head coolant passage design, not running the water pump is probably not the best idea for these engines, the factory pump must be running at all times! I would also advise a 160° thermostat on all boo engines as they tend to run hot causing rapid expansion of the con rod and main bearings, I've also seen cam bearings seize from something as mundane as a stuck thermostat or water pump failure, that's why the upgraded aluminum case water pump is a must and 160° thermostat I've never had any issues with these engines with this setup, also another factor with these engines is the external oil pump. It's always a great idea to thourougly check this system for cast flash in the passages and install high volume gears in the pump with new pressure spring and gaskets. Much like the AMC 360/ 390/ 401 same oiling issues but further surgery is involved ( running extra an lines from the pump to feed the rear main bearing and restricters in the cam gallery
Rave is your signature, and yes tear down on camera...
I've built some 455s in my youth with lunati custom cams, along with oil pump mods...would be fun to see you build it up a little