1958 Buick Special - Project

Hello:

Just purchased a 1958 Buick Special and another 1958 Buick Special (donor for parts). I have most everthing I need.

Except .. the drive train!

I have a trans, torque rear end two 364 engine blocks. Not too keen on rebuilding and / or hunting for this stuff.

So .. anyone with any ideas on a drivetrain transplant. I am not sentimental to keeping a nailhead Buick drive train. Engines and parts not readily available .. and time keeps ticking forward .. 1958 parts keep passing away.

The old Buicks are bitchen .. and late model drive trains are everywhere?
Nailheads ???? where do you get them.

Here we go ..

Buick diehards and Buick naturalist ..

How about a mild Chevy 454 with a Turbo 400 or 700R4 and a Ford 9" rear end, either leaf spring or coil with 4 bar triangulated ......???????

or give be some real suggestions .. no questions to the questions.

I want to keep the Buick .. 58 chrome looks good to me .. do not care about resale value. Goal is nice weekend driver .. f the car show route.

I just want it to work and move on in life .. not be on the hunt for **** .. like nailhead parts.

A non Buick transplant will grow on you.

And, I promise .. I will not let anyone look under the hood and see Chevy or motor?

I am looking for real and doable ideas .. engine, trans & rear end.

Do not worry about the welder .. he is here.

Thanks .. and hail to the Buick 1958 and its look .. no one will get to see under the hood. It's my hood .. I do not have to raise it for any one.

Thank you.

JD

 

JD,welcome to the board!
Lots of chrome on a '58 and awesome styling.Most that I've seen were restored or very close to stock condition.I like the idea of a modified example,it will sure stand out anywhere.I like modified cars myself but that is not the prevalent view around here,especially with a car of that vintage.That's not to say that you won't get any feedback here but that is the way it is,keep that in mind.Also note that this being the V8 Buick board,the mention of that BBC will send chills down the spine of many:grin: .With that said,have you considered a 455/TH400 from a big car as a donor for your project?In stock configuration with just some standard upgrades it should be plenty to motivate that car reliably and keep it all Buick,they are not that hard to find.I bought a rusted but good running '76 Electra a while back for $600.00,I kept the 455/TH400 for a swap down the road on my '79 and was able to sell some parts to offset the cost.That's just my suggestion for you,since you asked.I like the 9" and triangulated rear suspension idea also,I believe it to be a nice and stout set up.
If you are dead set on the 454,I'll say,go ahead and build it.It is your car and you need to please yourself with it but if you are still in the planning stage don't write off the Buick powerplant just yet.Again,welcome to the board and get some pictures posted when you get a chance.:beer

 

Hector:

Thanks for the reply.

Actually I have thought on the 455 TH400 and am not opposed to it.

Reason for the 454 is that i could get one with low compressions and run it on 87 octane.

I am sure I could build a 455 for a 87 octane setup.

Also, I read somewhere the 455 is a little more slender than a 454 so it would allow a little more room on the sides for headers, etc.

My goal is to have an engine with approx 300-325 horsepower with plenty of torque and able to run it on 87 octane.

I will research the 455 harder.

Question: To put a 455 TH400 in a 1958 Buick Special .. what modification(s) would I need to do .. with trying to keep it stock as possible?

It would be nice if all I had to do was new / repositioned motor mounts, new front springs, shocks, bushings and do a disc brake conversion.

and not having to put in a different front clip. but if i have to i will.


Thanks

JD

 

First off, you need to let everyone know where your from. :beer

Second thing, Don't put the 454 in it!!!!

I think the only way to really tell what kind of modifications you may need to is find an old 455 and do some numerous test fitting.

In the long run it may be easier to rebuild the nailhead, stick with the dynaslow, and torque tube rear.

 

first dont let any one tell you what to do with your car. If you wanna put a jet engine in the stinkin thing then rock on man. Next i would look into the chevy small block, they are everywhere and pretty cheap , parts are everywhere , and you can easly get 300-400 hp out of one on pump gas. good luck man

 

I'm with Ratrod58, build what you want. A lot to be said for pump gas and cheap horse power. Keeping it Buick is cool, but if the budget, or simply what you want ends up with a chevy engine in it, go for it and enjoy! Lets see some pictures as soon as you can. I like to see them while the works going on.

 

64LeSabre455 - corona, california

i agree, it would be way easier to keep it stock .. everything bolts
up. I would be more than halfway done without going into the
garage.

the problem is .. the hunt for parts.

i do not want to make this a 5 year hunt for parts project.

create a good plan and execute it. then drive it and have fun.

nailhead, buick - other, chevy or ?? any, if done right .. the result will grow on you .. you will like it.

Would be cool to stick a 401 nailhead in it. great torque and the horsepower i am looking for .. on paper looks to be the perfect engine. I have been looking around the internet .. where do you get the 401's??? appears you have to be lucky or have to buy another donor car. turns you in to an internet nailhead stalker.

say i have the stock drivetrain .. drive to vegas .. break down in baker .. where the hell do you get parts. call goober in mayberry? what would be the cost of that tow bill?

as to the 455's .. mods are required .. engine to diff.

so .. if doing an engine swap (non nailhead) then seems like you should pass the 455 and go for a late model chevy engine, turbo 400 or 700r4 and a ford 9" rear end 4 link (lincoln versailles with disc brakes .. if i am correct on the width), mustang ii front clip, 18" wheel on the front and 20" wheels on the back. sounds like a lot of work .. doable.

as to the chevy engine .. big block has the torque and hp .. small block also but at a different rpm curve. weight is a factor .. thus aluminum heads and manifold on the big block will help there. (wondering if the big block is too wide for the steering box, chassis, exhaust, etc.) chevy engines and parts are like weeds .. everywhere.

if you really think about .. buick and chevy are both gm .. i am sure at least one joe the riveter worked on both buicks and chevys back in the 50's.

either drivetrain way .. keep the body stock, triple chrome plate, polish the stainless and attempt to keep the interior original as possible.

reverse the letters of buick to cubik and have some fun.

i do not mind keeping it original or mixing it up .. just want to move forward .. and i want it to work .. cruiser with some punch .. no drags.

i am seeking all input with technical specifics .. then will make a decision .. make a plan .. then will execute it.

being vague or questions to the questions or where i live does not help creating a plan.

i am not sentimental to anything or any brand.

however, i do like the look of the 1958 buick 2 dr special .. and it has grown on me .. i like the look of all buick 55's through 58's.

Under neath the hood .. we will see.

stock is stock .. except i would opt for the 401 (i beleive it must be 1959 to 1963 for my application .. to mate up to the dynaflow or is it dynaslow). If anyone has so cal nailhead source(s), more power to you, and please forward the contact info.

as to transplants, i am looking for your opinions and experience on engine (brand and block), trans (brand and model) and rear end (brand, size, leaf or 4 link coil) and gnats ass reasons why - as to what would be best for this car.

yeah it's my car .. but with your influence .. we will build it ..

Thank you.

JD

:bglasses:

 

Congrats on the new project.:TU:

I agree with most that it is yours and yours alone (except of course your ole' lady...).

My opinion is that your going at this the right way... You say you want a descent cruiser, but not a drag car... Small block chevy, turbo 400, 4 link rear sounds to me like a 'no brainer'... Affordablilty, and realibility are quit attractive features to any build at this time.

Just to throw this out there... Why not find a newer model Roadmaster, remove/ replace bodies... just thinking out loud...

Whatever you decide... Enjoy yourself! And take a minute and post a photo... please...:laugh:

 

Elf:

Not that it is right or wrong .. you mentioned a small block chevy.

Why sbc versus bbc - in the 58?

I already have my why's and why not's .. looking for what others have to say and comparing notes.

As to the chassis swap .. will look at that. right off the bat .. looks like there will be a stretch or shortening involved depending on the roadmaster.

Do you have a 58?

Will get the picture deal going .. already taking pics to remember how the parts go back on.

Thanks.

JD

 

there is a 55 roadmaster here in connecticut on a caprice chassis think it has a bbb,looks cool buford ownwe

 

Yes 'jondaniels', the '58 Special in my signature is mine. The ONLY reason I said small block chevy is that I currently have an LT1 on an engine stand in my shop... If I had a big block hanging around I would've said big block...:grin:

Considering that I'm 6' 8" and over 300 lbs..... Bigger is always better.:TU:

 

Don't ruin a Buick by installing a chevy engine in it. Back in 1958 Buicks were more expensive than chevy. There was a good reason for that.

 

Well, Whatever you do, be sure to keep us updated!

I would like to see some pics of your car, and updates on what you have decided to do.

 

Hectic Hector is the winner::beers2:

Just bought a 1970 lesabre 2 door (donor) for $500 .. has a 455 (1970)with the th400 trans. never been rebuilt (i will) with 86k miles. everything there .. brackets, etc. .. nice 4 b carb. something like 350 hp with 500 ft torque lbs .. stock.

1958 Buick 2 door with a 455 .. is being built.

so .. keeping it buick.

also, the lesabre has 455 emblems .. will have to get those on the 58 somewhere.

i feel like i made a great deal.

we will see about the chassis and rear end .. if i can use it.

has alot of other parts that will come in handy .. like the braking system, a/c system, etc.

i know .. post some pics .. i will .. what i say i do.

Jon

 

the block's casting # is ends with 738.:beers2:

79k miles on it with maintenance receipts. :TU:

sell some hubcaps, interior parts, bumpers, etc. and hopefully i will have
bought it (the engine, trans, rear, chassis, braking system, steering column and misc) for $0 .. nada .. nothing.:Smarty:

what a deal. :laugh:

on the rebuild, should i keep the compression or lower it slightly to accept 87/89 octane? time will tell.:Brow:

JD

 

And:

Got all the rat #### out of THE car.

detoxing the car and myself.

the car gets air .. i get jack daniels.

all is good.

more parts and spare parts than i know what to do with.

jd

 

Does the 70 LeSabre have an emblem on the bumper?

 

front or rear bumper?

the rear bumper has an emblem ... something like 3 shields together.

jd

 

I'll buy it if it is not cracked. How about a passenger's side mirror?