My 73' Regal 455 Junkyard Find

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by Jesse M, Nov 7, 2011.

  1. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Hey guys, this is my first ever post, I'm 17 and just picked up my second big project car, a 1973 Regal 2dr. She's pretty solid for being from Canada so I thought it was worth snagging. For my birthday by dad gave me his 455 big block out of a 1970 Buick GS he had way back when, but the motor mounts dont match up, and the oil pan doesnt fit over the cross member properly, what can I do?
    Thanks
    Jesse
     
  2. Jclstrike

    Jclstrike Well-Known Member

    I'm not expert on this but the you will need to get the proper motor mount pads for the BBB. TA makes them or go to parts wanted and post for a used set. Go to www.buickperformance.com for a helpful article on converting 350 to 455. I'm not sure on the Oil pan but it should fit maybe because the 350 frame pads are in the wrong spot as well. I think the BBB frame pads sit further back.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2011
  3. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    Welcome to the board! I'm also 17. There are a few of us on here. Enjoy the project!
     
  4. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021


    :TU::TU:
     
  5. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

    WELCOME, Jesse!!! :TU::TU:

    I feel that TA Performance.com (ask for Mike) has everything you need.

    I LOVE your "1970 Buick 455 into 1973 Buick Regal Project"!!!

    Personally ... I would put a "TH400" 3-speed automatic behind that "455."


    ENJOY ... & BUCKLE-UP! :Smarty:


    :TU::TU:
     
  6. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Thanks for the warm welcome guys:p and I'll be sure to look into your suggestions because I've exhausted almost ever other possibility. Im hoping to have her road worthy by the summer time but Ive got to put it on hold for the winter because I have no garage to work on it :(
     
  7. GS44667

    GS44667 Worlds First Stage1 Conv

    Jesse looks like those 73 Regal 455's frequent the junk yards often, here is another one...
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Wow it looks pretty nice, where is this?
     
  9. Joe

    Joe Well-Known Member

    Nice that you found a solid 73 regal Jesse. I also like the blue Regal GS44667 posted. It’s been a long time since I seen anything over 15 years old in junkyards around my area.

    I hope TA Performance has the frame mounts to do the conversion. When I did mine there was nothing available at the time. You are also going to need a shroud for a big block car. The 455 fan will not line up where the 350 fan was mounted. I am not sure what you problem is with the oil pan. If it has the sump in the rear, not the middle, the pan should not be an issue. It’s not that bad to do the swap. Good luck. If you have any issues you can send me a PM and I will be happy to help any way I can.
     
  10. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Yeah the dump IS in the middle which was my first road block, but ta performance does carry an oil own that'll fit! I can order that in and that's the first of many problems solved:) but you say the fan shroud won't fit? Is there anywhere I can find one that does fit, online or something?
     
  11. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Jesse, if it really is a center sump pan, you'll not only need to change to a rear sump pan, but you'll need a rear sump oil pickup too. This begs the question...if the engine came out of a GS, it should already have the correct rear sump oil pan. The center sump was used by the full size cars like Wildcat, Electra and Riviera, most particularly on the '67 - '69 430. It would be good if you could attach some pics of the engine so we can help you make a positive ID.

    Devon
     
  12. Shurt24

    Shurt24 TheRivKid

    Just wanted to welcome you to the forum! 17 as well. :TU:
     
  13. BrunoD

    BrunoD Looking for Fast Eddie

    Jessy,you will have to get the motor mount brackets out of the BBB 73 t0 76 Regal,they are different then the earlier models.Maybe GS64667 has an in to those that he showed,and he can get you the chassis mount out of one of them.BrunoD
     
  14. Joe

    Joe Well-Known Member

    Bruno is correct and maybe GS64667 can locate a set but when I did mine this site was not around so they were hard to find back then. I used frame pads from a 75 Lesabre but had to cut and weld the drivers side to make it work. The passenger side was not a problem. I am not sure if a shroud from a 70-72 Skylark GS big block would work or if it has to be from a 73-75 Century/Regal. I used an aluminum radiator with electric fans so I didnt have that problem.
     
  15. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Its not letting me post any pics or links because Ive only made 4 posts? :S
    Its seen a few different cars so it may not even be the original oil pan. Thanks bruno for the advice on where I can pick those brackets off of! That will come in handy for sure. And thanks for the welcome Austin:p
     
  16. fl smith

    fl smith Well-Known Member

    I make the 73-75 regal,century 455 frame mounts.$100. pair plus shipping
     
  17. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021


    :TU::TU:
     
  18. Jesse M

    Jesse M Member

    Hey guys, its been a long time and I don't know if anyone is still here but the Regal Project is still alive. A lot of crap has happened in these passed 4 years that kept me away from working on my project, but I managed to not have to sell the buick for scrap. Unfortunately she still isn't driving but I still have every intention of making her road worthy, and have learned a lot about the car in this time.

    Dawildcat, you were right the 455 was out of a 70's riv not a GS, so that explains the oil pan.
    Even though the car has been sitting so long, Ive kept oil in the cylinders and even turned the engine over.
    The quadrojet carb Ive got needs a rebuild, and I still need a new oil pan/alter the current one to fit the crossmember. Aside from that, she should run.
    Right now Ive got a hydromatic 350 hooked up, that came off the rotten block we originally pulled out of the regal, but I was curious as to what options I have for available 4 or 5 speed manual transmissions.

    Guys, I want to make it clear that I was raised by a hillbilly, I have no fear of jerry rigging anything to make this work, so suggest anything youd like.

    Hopefully the photo I attached shows up, that was taken only a couple weeks ago, with fresh coat of primer
     

    Attached Files:

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