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Advice for running a Buick 455

Buick455runner

Buick455runner

Member
I just recently purchased a 14’ predator equipped with a rebuilt 1973 Buick 455. Stock pistons, rings, bore. Stage 2 heads and aluminum intake. Holley 650 CFM dual jet setup. The engine is a torque monster and from what I’ve read it’s a reliable engine. I never run it over 3k RPM with it being a DD. I can run this boat dry loaded down all day. I was hoping some of ya’ll with more experience running a 455 could tune in and let me know some known issues and preemptive maintenance I could do for the longevity of my motor. Thank you! 1889F07F-4C53-4010-ADE1-DAB05944AE7B.jpeg
 
My old Buick had an offenhouser intake and 650 Holley and when I switched over to the edelbrock I got much better fuel consumption when cruising and yes keep them light as possible and they run very well. One thing is to set max advanced at 32 degrees and then let her idle and check your base timing. Anything over about 16 and it will be difficult on the starter when hot. I opened mine up to allow 20 degrees mechanical advance and base 12 all in 32 and it would bump right over when up to temp.

Don’t cheap out on oil in that thing they are getting harder and harder to find


Their is much smarter fellas out there than myself when it comes to the Buick but most props are silent.
 
You are the perfect example of someone who could lose an engine in one oil change !

You have got to use one of the oils that is “verified” to have the proper level of ZZDP to protect it. In addition a DD car engine also has to protect its thrust bearing.

There was a Buick boat years ago over my way that was an early gear drive beast. One of the early KayWay drives and all hopped up. Sadly most of our Buick guys have passed on.

PM is you need any oil selection assistance. That Buick would be a good candidate for using the BRANCH BREW recipe that Mr Branch used in the Cadillacs.

4 Quarts Shell Rotella T 15w-40 conventional
1 Quart Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer
6 ounces CompCam #159 Break In additive

The CompCam #159 is available online at Summit or Amazon.

This “Brew” was used formulated by Mr Branch back in the early 90s when ZZDP was starting to be removed from oil.
 
Personally never ran a 455 but know of 3 - 2 DD and 1 with a belt-drive. The beltdrive boat was a beast. I do know that when he had the motor rebuilt the guy suggested so oil galley modification he said were require to turn it as hard as we do in an airboat situation.

I believe if you do a search on here you will find some of those suggestions.
 
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