430 heads on 455

**Iownabuick** · 10-08-2006, 04:05 PM

I've got 430 heads off a 1967 wildcat and was wondering what would have to be done to install them on a 1972 455. The block i have is the 'double scallop' with oval water ports.
Also does anyone know what CC rating is for head cast 1246322.
Thanks

**bob k. mando** · 10-09-2006, 03:05 PM

Also does anyone know what CC rating is for head cast 1246322.

dude ...

no.

man, you'd better sit down, because i've got some really bad news for you.

that casting number is NOT a 1967 head. in fact it's not even from a 430. it's a 1975 or 76 large, open chamber 455 head. the worst head you could have gotten.

nominal factory spec for the combustion chamber on that is 78cc, compared to 71cc from 1971-74 and 69cc on the earlier big blocks. plus ( minus? ) it's got no quench area.

for whatever reason, it appears the Wildcat had to have a head transplant somewhere along the line and it looks like you got bitten by that.

AtlantaBuick, Gessler and our own Buicks.net all agree on this casting number so i don't think it likely that they're all wrong:
Atlanta Buick

Buicks.net

Gessler Porting

i suppose the original paint is blue, not red? 1974 and earlier engines / heads are all painted red.

checking the casting numbers for both heads, it's possible they only changed the one head out.

**Iownabuick** · 10-09-2006, 03:33 PM

Tha casting number 1246322 is from the 455 heads i was just curious what the cc rating was. That motor was painted blue. The 430 heads i have are painted red and have noticable smaller cambers. I just want to know if i can bolt these heads up without any problems.
I know that the rockers are oiled differently.

**rcull** · 10-09-2006, 07:48 PM

http://www.buicks.net/shop/reference...fferences.html

**bob k. mando** · 10-10-2006, 03:24 PM

Tha casting number 1246322 is from the 455 heads i was just curious what the cc rating was. That motor was painted blue.

okay, cool. the way you presented that in the first post it looked like you wanted info for your 'new' 67 heads. as it is, everything is not only kosher, you might have 'big port' heads as well.

'big port' casting numbers are marked on the Buicks.net list.

check this:
http://www.taperformance.com/faq%27s.htm

also, you'll have to use a composite gaskets, the steel shim gasket won't seal.

**Buick Power** · 10-15-2006, 06:07 AM

In addition to what I wrote in the TA Q&A website. If you have your short block together, plug the passages in the heads with brass or aluminum rod. From underneath is best, but at the rocker towers can be done as well. If you look at your front and rear rocker towers of the `67 heads you will see another hole adjacent to the threaded hole. You will only have to block the front one on the driver's side head.

Dave

**littlejakedog** · 10-22-2006, 10:20 AM

also what about the pushrods and the rocker arms. diameters are different and 455 pushrods will wear through the 430 rockers unless you use hybrid pushrods avail from howards brothers or ta performance