Inside Buick's Hemi Killer 

I love that you can come to UTG and learn about other brands too

I'm a Buick guy from way back. At the 2022 GS Nats at Beech Bend drag strip, there was a guy that had a 100% original, never taken apart or modified 1970 GS Stage1 with the skinny 14 unch Polyglass tires He proudly displayed the time slip recorded earlier in the day that was a few hundreds below the famous low 13 second time that earned the 70 Stage1 has the third quickest muscle car tested back in the day.

I always heard how badass these buick 455s were from my engine building dad. The day I saw one just flick the throttle and send that stage 1 sideways on the street just sold me. Just flicked it out.

Back in the mid 1970's I knew a guy that that swapped a Buick 455 into a 1967 Chevelle SS. It ran circles around all of the "stock" 396 Chevelle's in our town, including my "slightly modified" 1966 325 hp 396 Chevelle. Other than a set of homemade headers, I don't recall him making any mods to that engine. It was a torque monster.

I grew up riding around in my dads truck with a 455 Buick in. I got my own 3/4 ton 72 GMC and put a 455 in it as well. I pull with it all the time and work it really hard and it’s awesome!

I had a 1970 455 Buick I put it in an 85 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 Best truck I've ever had. And I've had a lot. The engine was all stock with 053,000 miles on it when I got it. I put new gaskets and an HEI ignition. And a set of headers. 3.08 gears. Th350 transmission. 33" tires. That thing out run a bunch of cars. It would run way faster than a truck should go. But what was really amazing was it got 18mpg if you drove it with some sense. And I used it to pull my 69 corvette to the track several times. It always got just over 14 mpg pulling the car. Stock original Quadrajet. I sure miss that truck.

I had a 71 LeSabre with a 455,and I agree they pulled from off idle smoothly and just ran great.I had absolutely no issues with that engine,changed the oil and filter every2500 miles not a tick or a peep,and pretty decent fuel mileage for the size of the car and engine, After much badgering I reluctantantly sold the car to a friend and he blew the engine up within the year,what a shame,wish I never sold that car.

Loved the Buicks since I was a kid, dad bought a brand new 70 Electra 225, I was 9. Thing was a land barge but hauled ass for such a huge car. I will never forget when it hit a 100,000 miles. Dad stopped at a 4 way intersection and stood on it. It wasn't a posi, that thing absolutely broiled both the tires however until dad let out of it, one of the coolest things I had ever seen as a kid. In the early 80's I lived in AZ and put a 327 in a Chevy Monza along with the rear axle from a Vega (lol) for the gearing, have no idea what it was. I raced a couple GS's with it, lost every time. By the time I hooked up they were gone, torque monsters. After that I picked up a 74 Buick Apollo with a 350, yanked it and put in a 455 and its trans from a 70 Electra, a nod to the car we had as a kid. That engine was bone stock yet that little unassuming Apollo lit up a LOT of cars.

It’s amazing how much torque these 455’s put out vs how flimsy looking these blocks look. My parents nailhead 425 in their 66 Riviera was potent. I always wondered how it would compare to a 70 455 Riv. Nailheads look so much more durable. But 510 ft lbs of torque at 2800 RPM is awesome numbers though!

Richard Lassiter who had the GS is still a carb and tuning guru. Pretty sure he was one of the originals that started the F.A.S.T racing series. Roy Badie's GTX came up for sale at a Mecum auction a couple years ago. I still have that issue of MCR and the issue that started the whole debate by publishing a 50 fastest list. Oh the bench racing!!!

I love this type of content by you. . . . It shows your love and passion for the automotive but it's your wanting to show what different manufacturers did to get their own HP. "numbers" and the combination of things to look for if you are infact seeking legit parts or the entire pie! Love the difference sometimes in the content . . . That's what keeps me coming back!

Muscle Car Review Magazine!!! How I miss that amazing old school metal mag. I know that Petersen Publishing has done a quarterly or annual ever so often, but it wasn't the same as having 6-12 issues a year. I wish I had my old mags back.

Uncle Tony is a genius... he figured it out why the Buicks torque curve of 510 pounds at 2800 would take off like a twin motor Tesla... The Stage 1's would leap out of the hole with hardly a chirp and take off and hold their own down the 1/4 mile.

One of my buddies' dad is a huge Buick guy. He retired from owning an auto shop, and now he sells old buick parts online. He has a badass convertible Skylark that runs 10's and a 65 Skylar he put a t type 3.8L V6 that runs 11's. I'm sure he would love to see this video and get all the info. Next time I see him I'll tell him about this series of videos.

Two guys that really know their shit!

I run a 350 Buick in my 66 C10 daily driver. It’ll pull trailers with the best of em!!!

Reminds meof the Fuelie heads from chevy. 1.94 vs 2.02. How to easily tell them apart was the valves kissing. I got to drive a Wildcat when I was like 12. I am 60 so that was 48 years ago. So around 72' or 73'. It wasn't new but it wasn't old. Pops had a 70 Road Runner and my step dad was used car salesman and he would bring home Vettes and classic muscle cars. He would let me drive them. And I remember all these guys punching them with me riding shotgun. Pops also had an Olds 442 in the late 60's. There was a 69 Cowl Induction, maybe 70, 454 Chevelle. This video took me on a trip down memory lane. Man...... I'm old!

I spent years hopping up various engines for myself and others and alway yearned to play with a Buick engine. The doggone things were admirable from the standpoint that those engines defined the word "torque" in spades......never got to mess with one. I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this series on the big Buicks. Makes me wish that I would have taken the plunge, gone in debt, and got a Stage 1 Buick. I was into Mopar mostly at the time and heard the tales of Stage 1 vs. Hemi but never got to witness it myself. Too bad we are out of the era......when I get my brand-new 2022 Time Machine.......I'm goin' back! See ya there!

Thanks for the Buick love.

The 2 "dislikes" are the guys who tried to race that Buick 'Burban

Thank you Uncle Tony &Aunt Kathy! Iearned a little more about Buicks. My Mom had a 1966 Electra 225 with a 455. Passed everything but a gas pump.:)

Great episode!!! This has some rich information about Big Block Buick's!!! Tony's buddy is a bona-fide Buick EXPERT!!! I knew a guy with a clean/ stock '67 Riviera with a stock Carter AFB atop of a 430 big-block engine... That car was FAST!!! An UNBELIEVABLY WIDE TORQUE RANGE!!! Good looking car too with it's hideaway headlights... I really like your channel Tony and find Your guests to be very knowledgeable and thorough with their explanations of what makes these machines work so well!!! Keep-up the good work!!! 👍

One of the benefits of the Buick is that it’s almost as light as a SBC, weight matters a lot, especially over the front axle.

That was so interesting I love the learning curve this channel give the public!!!

I will attest to the torque of a Buick. I replaced the 366 big block truck engine in my 71 C60 with a stock 350 Buick. The torque of that long stroke small bore Buick put the 366 truck engine to shame, instead of down shifting just keep your foot in it and it just keeps pulling!

I just recently found you on youtube and am loving the content of your video's. The learning never ends on my 1969 Buick Gs 400 Big block.

ROLL UP YOUR CIGARETTE!!! GREAT VIDEO UTG!!!👍 GREAT CAMERA WORK ULTRA KATHY!!! Great information provided by Dallas!

Thank you for all the information on the Buick heads good job 👍

Wanted to comment again because I'm really grateful for all this information. My dad used to tell me about the Buicks he had in the fifties and doctors, so this video really takes me back. He would probably agree with me when I say that your grey slurry could scientifically be classified as "schmoo."

I had a 71 Electra with a 455. That's been my all time favorite machine

Stage 1 Buick is a monster, anyone who doesn't agree is not very knowledgeable about them.

I love this Buick stuff. Had a 73 Century with a 350-damn good running car. And a 1970 Wildcat. She was a beauty. Big old heavy land barge but she would get up and gallop.

Halfway into the 1971 model year, the Stage 1 cylinder heads got some improvements for power that the older heads didn't have.

Dallas is super cool. The new channel will rock for sure. 🤘

All I know from building stuff, back in the day, was that Buick power and TQ was the cheapest way to scare folks on the street. 57 Ford 2-door (my cousins) with a 383 TqFlyte was a bad motor scooter. His brothers 327 FI 4 speed 57 Chevy was no slouch either. But the big Buick in Bobby B's 58 Ranch Wagon would spank them all. 8.20x15 Atlas Plycrons at 19 PSI on 7" rims (screwed) w 4:11 posi spun by a top loader four speed and 11" long clutch behind that big Buick was as mean as it got in our neck of the woods (Santa Cruz Mtns). You called him out, you went home with a lighter wallet ...

Buick, Pontiac & Oldsmobile engines generally had long strokes. Dad had a '70 Boneville Brougham, 455, 375/525, probably underrated. Idled smooth and melted tires.

I appreciate all makes and have owned diff makes, thank you for the variety. Just liking one brand of car is like just eating one thing breakfast lunch and dinner for the rest of your life.

Love the Buick info! 👌😁

Nice to see this, my dad and uncle have always been buick guys. My uncle now restores buicks to factory specs and from what I understand hangs out at rust valley restorers lol and i dunno what my dad does anymore dont care. But when my mom had me my dad and uncle both had 455 buick GSX's and they both had kids and sold them and my cousin and I always heard about it haha. I now have a buddy that grew up drag racing and traded his jr dragster for a GSX for his first car which is kinda a street and strip car with stage 2 edelbrock top end.... it Makes rediculous torque. He also has a turbo LS chevelle now that he races.

Love it! Great info to boot. Priceless. Peace

Good stuff UT. Always refreshing to here about these hidden forgotten gems. If I remember correctly, Buicks were very dependable. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Uncle Tony very informative

I learn alot from these videos, thank u👍

Thanks for Sharing... I have a '69 Buick Electra with a 430 Big Block that I am Restoring

Great content!

Tony I remember Cayuga Dragstrip in Cayuga Ontario Canada with Ron and his '70 Buick Stage 1 sitting in the staging lanes with the motor running and the air conditioning on waiting for his next pass and run his low 12:00's every time...

Ever do a motor swap with a forklift? Mr. home head resurface here lol I want to say I love this channel. Spending money is a disease for a lot of people. Dallas is such a cool dude btw

I like these guys lot of knowledge probably done forgot more than we will ever know reminds me of my uncle who thought me to build engines

Fascinating. Thanks.

I remember reading that article about the shout out between the stage two Buick vs the 426 hemi. Buick ran in the 12s and the hemi was in the 13s . It was best out of 3 runs and the guys from NYC went home beaten with there hemi.

I really like the buick stuff!!! A 70 skylark was the first car i went really fast in! Got the muscle cars runnin in my blood

Just a note: GM had an earlier 330 cid limit on A bodies that was raised to 400 in 65, giving rise to the SS396, etc. Also, the Cadillac 500 had nice torque.

Looking forward to the new channel Dallas 👍

I'm digging that carb stack in the back ground. Looking like uncle sam's top hat. Most American thing I've seen in a long time

Thanks I was gifted a 455 short block.I inherited my Dad's gentleman's hotrod 67 wildcat custom. Big Port heads torque forever.So very hard so drive the speed limit

Thanks, I used to drive a 1970 Electra 225. Great info.

Now im lookin' for a 70's Buick Apollo or Skylark. Thanks Uncle Tony.

Also so much trash talk these days about the Rochester quadrant carb.they came on the stage one 455 and worked wonderfully

Dig the fact you guys had the balls to name this segment Hemi Killer. I couldn't wait to see the comments Lol

Uncle Tony should build a Buick now. I know he's a Mopar guy. But it would be cool to see one of these done affordably like he does. Heck put it in a pickup like this guy did. There will always be a need for a shop truck.

Uncle Tony! I have a '73 Buick with the 455, tons of torque but not much hp. Plus, she pings even on 93 octane. I get a lot of different suggestions about what to do, but I believe in learning from experts, such as yourself. Oh, yeah, the engine is in an Electra Limited. 20,565 original miles. My Dad bought her brand-new and I've always taken great care of her. Any tips on how I can get a bit more hp out of her cheaply?? Love your channel!!

Dallas is a wealth of knowledge....How he remembers all those specs is beyond me..

IHRA Racing History Channel??? COUNT ME IN!!! Really looking forward to that.

Now I want to build a Buick this guy knows his stuff 👍🏁

I'm so glad to see this because the Buick 455 gets no recognition and no credit I had 455 in my 1972 skylark And I whipped plenty of a** in it never got beat in 2020 but Fortunately I let it sit up a little too long one time forgot to change the oil blew the motor try to get another 2 expensive and now Now proud to say has an L.S 6.0 but I do plan in the future to get another Buick and 455 it if it doesn't all ready have one it was alot of fun💪🏾💯

Great informative video guys & G'mornin'☕☕ . Another good example of older heads on a newer block would the the 68 LeSabre 350 heads on a .30 over 70' block with the full Comp Cams treatment and a 468H cam. That thing was a lot of fun, anything less than 7.75 psi going to the Carter 675 afb and it would start out at half but hit that fuel pressure number at the rail and she'd lay back her ears and run hhheee doggie 🤠🤠 ..

Those Buick 455s were a work of art.

Dallas, you should write a book , you know your stuff !!! And you have the parts for the pictures !!!

I've been told that my home track, Norwalk Raceway Park (now Summit Motorsports Park but it'll always be Norwalk to me!), was once an AHRA sanctioned track. That was before my time. I started racing there back the 80s when it was still an IHRA track.

The Buick looks more like a big block Mopar than any other GM engine. Shaft rockers, adjacent exhaust ports, big bore/short stroke. Most obvious difference is how much thinner/lighter the block casting is, and lack of a deep skirt. And the silver/grey paste in the oil passage: probably lead. Every engine I ever pulled apart that spent part of its life on leaded fuel had silver deposits somewhere in the crankcase. Even if it ran thousands of miles on unleaded afterward.

This was awesome.

Can't wait for that channel, Dallas!

We should point out how not only Buick, oldsmobile, mopar ,Cadillac,Pontiac share a anglulaity thing that helps deliver the power.

My Grandpa was a Buick man himself, great show....

The other day I just bought a 1969 Buick Electra 225 4 door hardtop with a 430 and it’s a dream

Really enjoyed the series. Really appreciate the passion and knowledge. Was hoping to hear about Buick Indy Motors and the Buick Spice LMP program. Just kinda tootin Buick horn.

This Community keeps Growing.. 👍😉

Love drag racing and all of the American Ingenuity that went into it through the years 👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

Where are the new upgraded Buick engines now, if they were really a Hemi killers ? 11,000 hp out of a 500 cid Keith Black Hemi !! Chevy guys also went to their own aftermarket Hemi head from ARIAS

I had set of J Heads on a 360 mopar sink the exhaust valve seats pretty badly - got stellite seat put in them

Great tech session, love my Buick 455

"The BBBuick is as close to an EV as i can imagine" 🔥

These are pretty similar to internationals 304 345 392 motors but the ih motors are giant 800 pound heavy rotating assembly with 230 hp factory but made a ton of tourqe if they ever put the time and money into making a high performance version of them they would have been monstrous motors they are tow monsters especially with how low geared they are

Had a 68 Hurst Olds with the 455. The Silver Ghost.

455 Hurst olds 1968 and 1969 you forgot to mention

Thanks 👍

My 67 225 Barracuda was sinking the valves. Solid cam. Had to keep adjusting them out more and more. Was worst at the back side of the engine. If I was to keep DD'ing that car I was going to put a later model head on it. I already swapped on the newer manifolds to replace the cracked originals. Miss my 'cuda.

Dont forget the rare Stage 2 heads with giant round exhaust ports

Grandfather had a 70 stage 1 riviera man that boat hauled ass lol 👍

Hey Tony did you know from 62 on the blackbird sr71 project blew up all the big Buicks blocks, starting the j58.?

at about 3:15 into this video , uncle tony said that " Mopars were fine " when it came to sunken valve seats . he was referring to the change from leaded to unleaded fuel in the early 1970's . so technically he may be correct . but during the 70's and 80's i was friends with the service manager of our local Chrysler dealership . and sometime during the 70's , he showed me a long line of used Chrysler LA heads in the back room of that dealership . those heads were all " cracked " and/or " burnt " . as in burnt valves and valve seats . he explained that those heads had all been replaced under customer warranty claims . and they were waiting for the corporate rep. out of St. Louis to inspect those heads and approve those warranty claims . i expressed some interest in any that might be 340 heads . but he informed me that before the corporate rep. would leave his dealership . that all warranty parts must be destroyed with a sledge hammer . i knew a friend who had bought a new 1972 340 Duster . and eventually one of his cracked heads had to be replaced . so from my own recollection , Chrysler did have some early head problems when it came to unleaded fuel . and several of my friends had bought new Chryslers equipped with that new " lean burn " system . at least one of them had to have the engine replaced under warranty . other that that one issue , i found this video very informative . thank you .

I work on a few buicks for guys. I do port work on them. They react really well to simple port work. I get close to 300cfm out of stock casting without any epoxy

If I had the money I'd have you build me a 455 right now. I'd love to have one in my 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan. The LT1 is nice. But I would love to have a torque monster Buick

Good video

Would love to see that hemi killer on the dyno.

Very good info 👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

I almost dropped a 445 Wildcat motor in a ‘67 Charger with a tired 318. It was in an Electra 225 and would peel them out as long as you stayed on the gas pedal.

The AHRA DRAG RACING HISTORY CHANNEL! Oh hell yeah!

Those old GS Buicks with the switch pitch converters were a terror...

The "455" was popular as a boat engine (1960s 1970s ) and is still in some older boats