Newby from England

[Hairy Santa]

Hello everyone,

This looks like one brilliant forum :TU:

And this is my first post, I have just purchased a Tornado GT40 repro and it is fitted with a buick 455 engine with Audi box, having just sold my SRV8 Cobra fitted with a 302

As I am in the UK information is some what rare and scarce, that scarce this is the first big block engine I have ever seen let alone worked on, so I hope none of you mind if I could pick your brains re this engine

I will try the search section proir to bothering you, but any help would be gratefully received

All the best

Pete

[gbsean]

where in England...I was born in Hemel Hempstead....and Lived in Norwich for 4 years...I am the resident Brit....pick away some great Brains on this site

[Hairy Santa]

Hi Sean,

I'm down in Bristol, thats roughly 180 miles from where you grew up, long way over here, but only down the road by American Standards

I dont know anything Re this 455 engine so some basics would be handy, -- firing order, tappet adjustment in thou's if poss,if any, Torque settings -- that sort of thing :RE:

nice to hear from you

Pete

[Rick]

We also have a member that has a Jaquar fitted with a Buick 455 engine that runs high 9 seconds in the 1/4 mile.


http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7291&highlight=bruce+wilson+jaquar

Welcome to the site:TU:

[71stage1conv]

TA really is the only place to get Hi per Buick parts, and they are in stock. They have a catalog you can download, and list the torque specs for all or most fasteners.:HI:

http://www.taperformance.com/

By the way, Buick cast the firing order on the intake manifold. And the #1 plug is on the drivers side front, odd #'s on the left and even #'s are on the right (or pass side).

[01j]

TA really is the only place to get Hi per Buick parts, and they are in stock. They have a catalog you can download, and list the torque specs for all or most fasteners.:HI:

http://www.taperformance.com/

By the way, Buick cast the firing order on the intake manifold. And the #1 plug is on the drivers side front, odd #'s on the left and even #'s are on the right (or pass side).


:SMART: Just to clarify, the driver's side referred to above is the left side of the vehicle when sitting in the vehicle and facing forward. Driver's and passenger's sides are different in the US and UK!

Firing order = 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, with 1-3-5-7 on the left side and 2-4-6-8 on the right side starting at the front and working towards the rear (PTO end).

By the way, a 455 in a GT40 sounds AWESOME! I'm wondering how that Audi box will hold up? Post some pics so all can enjoy.

[Hairy Santa]

Hi Guys,

Much abliged for the welcome and the info

I will try to load a few pictures, I have had the car a week now, there is now 200 miles on the clock and |I am suffering with bad overheating ( both myself and the car )

All the best

Pete

[01j]

Well, I think we've found an application where Buick's front mounted distributor is not an advantage. I'm digging those custom 180 degree headers. I'll bet that thing sounds WICKED!

As for overheating, I don't know much about GT40 type vehicles, but I'm guessing you will need some kind of booster water pump to effectively move the coolant from the engine to the front of the car and back.

I'm wondering if the saving grace of the Audi transaxle are the skinny tires. If that thing ever hooks up... (lol)

[71stage1conv]

Well, there is more room in there than the picts show. My buddy has built a few dozen of them over the years, none with a BBB though. :GT:Make sure you are using a high quality thermostat (160*), and I also noticed they always drill a good size hole in it before installing.

[Hairy Santa]

Hi Guys,

I have just replaced the two 10" fans on the rad for two 12" ones , and added a third small m/cycle rad just behind the LH Driveshaft, just have to give it a little road test now to see if it has made any difference to the water temp

what pressure rad caps are you all using, I appear to have a 20lbs one which seems to me to be somewhat over the top

I am still having no luck on the tappet settings, are they 1/4 -1/2 a turn loaded or have they a 10-20-30 thou clearance, could someone please point me in the right direction :PUZ:

All the best

Pete

[gbsean]

OMG that is wicked.....simply awesome....post more pictures

[Hairy Santa]

Hi Guys,

Took the car on a 50 miles run today down to Cheddar in Somerset

It's still overheating somewhat and that is with a 3rd extra small rad plus 6" fan

Please -- someone must have the info on the tappets I am after

Here are a few photo's

[Rick]

Have you checked the timing. If it is way too far advanced it can make the engine run hotter. What is the temp showing on the gauge? Or is it just bubbling over.

[01j]

:SMART: A few points. First, just from the looks of it, the radiator is plenty big enough. I don't think you will need those fans when crusing down the road.

Second, it looks like the water pump is either electrically powered or has some sort of belt drive that is not evident in the photo. Its been awhile since I did any fluid drive horsepower calculations, but If it is electrically powered, then I'm guessing its going to need more power than the electric motor can provice, especailly if its DC powered.

Third, it looks like this thing has a custom machined water pump. If you just purchased the car, you probably don't know much about what the inside actually looke like. Does it even turn the right way to move the water? Let's face it, its the inside shape that's going to move the water.

From 3,000 miles away, my recommendations are (1) very the contruction and rotation of the water pump, (2) very the actual fuild pumping capaility of the water pump, (3) verify the power to the water pump, and (4) install a secondary water pump somewhere right outside the intake manifold exit to of the water. Yeah, I know you can probaly do these in a more efficient order, but I'm in a hurry.

Let us know what you find.

[Carl Rychlik]

Pete,you have a very nice car!!!!!! I'm very impressed to say the least!!!:TU:


Welcome aboard!!!!:BEERS:

[Hairy Santa]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your input, have had it running for 3 hrs trying different timing setting, makes very little difference to the temp, checked the plugs for weak mixture, all seem normal ( but intend putting on an emission tester ASAP) just to verify this

I now have 4 rads in total onboard 3 at the rear each with fans and this has 100% brought the temp down but I think I might be overloading the electric pump as the fuse has blown twice now - but I think I'm getting there

The one problem I'd like to check is the valve clearance's so please someone tell me what the setup is on them

All the best

Pete

[Rick]

One other thought. Those electric water pumps crap out some times. I have one on my GS and Meizer is the best for the Buick but for constant street use may be too much. With my pump it was still working but at a slower rate and was heating up, getting hot to touch.

Looking at the photos how about a stock pump without the fan of course.

[Wildcat_65]

Hi Guys,

what pressure rad caps are you all using, I appear to have a 20lbs one which seems to me to be somewhat over the top

I am still having no luck on the tappet settings, are they 1/4 -1/2 a turn loaded or have they a 10-20-30 thou clearance, could someone please point me in the right direction :PUZ:

All the best

Pete

Hullo Pete,
Love the car, when you said Tornado GT 40 I pictured a Oldsmobile-sorry!

I think most of my cars have 16 lb caps.

On the lifters, 1st are they hydraulic and do you have adjustable pushrods
or is it a flat tappet/solid lifter cam? Here is a link to TA's site:

http://www.taperformance.com/PDF/Roller_Rockers_Installation.pdf

I hope that helps. I was looking at flights to Bristol yesterday! Thinking about a trip in january for the gf's birthday. She lived in Glastonbury (on the Abbey grounds!) and I would like to visit again too.
Cheers,

:BEERS:

[Hairy Santa]

thanks Ted,

will have to find out what is fitted -- cam and followers from whom I purchased the car from

Hope you enjoy your visit over here, try and bring some good weather with you

all the best

Pete