55 with 350 buick John ben running this set up for a long time. The 350 with a400th chev rear with olds. rear springs 56olds. its not easy. You must make your mounts ,motor, trans an rear. lots of luck RaycinDean Gary.
Recently dropped a 350 into my 55 Special. Used a 350 TH, had to convert to an open driveshaft from the torque tube. Did manage to use the original rear end with a fabricated adaptor. (Had to use a 4-link to position the rear) Small motor mnt. adaption, put in a Painless wiring harness (alt . instead of generator, got rid of pedal starter, etc.) Dual exhaust was a bit of work. Replaced coil springs with air bags, added disc brakes to the front. So was it a lot of work, .....Yeah ! Worth it, .... I think so, the modern drivetrain will be very dependable, will brake better, ride better, and in the end you'll have something unique, not a belly button tri - year Chebby ! Pappy
I am looking to make some upgrades to my 55 buick super riviera. I want to keep the 322 Nailhead in it but would get rid of the dynaflow transmission and in it's place instal a chevy th350 tranny. I would also some day like to add front disc brakes but don't know where to start for the parts. I had took it to a muffler shop and said they couldn't install dual exhaust because of the x frame it has, how did you get around this? What all did you have to do to convert to a 4 link set up? I would someday as well like to add air bags to it. What rear end would work with the chevy tranny? Would it be cheaper to keep the nailhead or pull it out and install a chevy 350 since I'd have to find an adapter to hook up the nailhead to the chevy trans? I would really like to keep the nailhead just because it's something different from the every day sbc on the road and also I want to add a 3 deuce set up someday with the finned goodies. What are all ya'lls thinking on this? Especially since funds for this project are almost none existent...hahaha :3gears:
Keep it Nostalgic Hey Guy's I'm a bit Old School, but I would drop in a Duel Quad 425 Nailhead. You will need a real stump-puller, with some Torque to move that Big heavy Buick. Tom Gallagher :TU: :TU: :bglasses: :laugh: :3gears: :beer
Stump puller In order to install a 425 NH in a '55 you will need to run a TH400 which you will need to replace your differential with an open drive line type. Also, you will have to fabricate modifications for the fromt engine mounts. It might be possible to bolt it up to your existing DF but you would tear it up and you would need to run a crankshaft from a DF engine. Airy Cat
The nice thing about the 350 that M and M automotive is talking about is it's a BUICK engine! LS-1's are nice, if you own a CHEVY! But, I digress...I will admit that the '55 on '55 Buick.com is a very nice project, despite the bowtie mill. ----Zach.
