Casting numbers

454bigblock · #1 03-17-2009, 07:41 PM

Hey everyone,
I build engines for a living weather its a chevy, pontiac, olds, ford, dodge, etc...I had a customer come in with a 430 big block that needed a rebuild. I needed to figure out some casting numbers and looked online. I found this one website that has casting numbers for Chevy's, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles and Buick's. Its nice to just be able to go to one website instead of going to 2 or 3 or even 4 websites just to figures numbers. They even have the original factory numbers for the Pontiac tri-power set up. Also, they have axle codes, Intake manifold codes and some exhaust manifold codes. Take a look.

www.gmclassicmusclecars.com

MrPbody · #2 03-18-2009, 07:28 AM

454,

Thanks for the link. Good info there! Is that a 430 Buick? or a 430 Lincoln...?

Jim

454bigblock · #3 03-18-2009, 04:06 PM

Hi Jim,
Its a 430 Buick from a 68' Riviera. The owner keeps great care of the car but over time, the gaskets dry-rotted and leaked from everywhere on the motor. I checked the bores and they are only out by .008 so the block will be bored .020. The owner mainly wants just a factory rebuild. It was rated at 375 horse I believe so with the overbore, he might get a few extra.

osylith · #4 03-19-2009, 07:48 PM

Heres another site for casting numbers.

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

MrPbody · #5 03-20-2009, 08:08 AM

454,

We've found the Buick to be VERY sensitive to fuel quality. It might be prudent to take steps to reduce static compression to under 9.5:1. That 430 is a good running engine, but today's gas can kill it FAST. You may even wish to do this without telling the customer. Some folks get nerveous when you start talking "change", but it can be tough to get them to understand "Comp" doesn't mean "racing" or Xtreme Energy doens't mean so "rowdy" its tried to "change lanes at the stop light..." (:-

Comp has ground us a few "XE" grinds for Buicks in the recent past. They don't list them in the catelog, but they have them. A small one (XE256H) would have a dead-smooth idle, but really "wake up" the engine. It will also provide more low-speed efficiency, translating to gas mileage.

FWIW

Jim

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