buddy_ayres
Member
is the buick 430 a small or big block? Why are the valve covers so small. most big blocks heads are real big and they are not ? if your can help me in any whay e-mail me kerry_king_rocks@hotmail.com if it is possible.
430 ci
- Thread starter buddy_ayres
- Start date
Yes, the 400, 430 and 455 are the Buick big blocks. They are compact compared to other big blocks, but that helps them to be lighter and fit better in other applicatioins. They are also one of the most powerful big blocks cube for cube.
as far as external dimensions are concerned, the buick 350 and 455/430/400 are almost identical. but yes, the 455/430/400 are considered 'big blocks'.
this is as much to delineate between the 455/430/400 engines (which share many/most parts except for their pistons) and the 350 as no parts interchange between the two engine types as anything else.
don't worry about the valve cover size, buicks have plenty big valves in the cylinder head. plus they have the biggest bore of any of the 7.5 liter engines so you don't have to worry about the valves being shrouded by the cylinder wall.
the fast way to tell the difference between a 350 and 455/430/400 is to count the bolts holding the valve covers on. if each cover has 5 bolts you've got a big block, if the covers have 6 you've got a 350.
this is as much to delineate between the 455/430/400 engines (which share many/most parts except for their pistons) and the 350 as no parts interchange between the two engine types as anything else.
don't worry about the valve cover size, buicks have plenty big valves in the cylinder head. plus they have the biggest bore of any of the 7.5 liter engines so you don't have to worry about the valves being shrouded by the cylinder wall.
the fast way to tell the difference between a 350 and 455/430/400 is to count the bolts holding the valve covers on. if each cover has 5 bolts you've got a big block, if the covers have 6 you've got a 350.