What kind of performance hopes can I have for this engine? Would I be better off swapping it out for something with more displacement? If so, what engines would fit in it's place well? Perhapse a chevy 400? Also, I have heard that this engine is somewhat rare. Does anyone know how rare it is or if it is worth anything to a restorer? I am on a rather tight budget on this project & just to get the motor running again would proably run me upwards of $500 in parts alone (cam broke off!). Any help would be appreciated.
Numerous people have asked this question... its all in what you want. Personally, I'd stick with Buick (not only is it just wrong to put a chevy in a Buick, its simply easier to fit a Buick in). The 455 is a possible swap, though I'm not really sure how easy that'd be. I assume the 350 swap would be fairly easy, just wait and there will be pleanty of responses to this, I'm sure.
The 350 is pretty much a direct bolt in. Some minor changes to get the carb hooked up to the trans switches if yours is auto. 64 mounts are pretty small and it would be a good idea to use the mounts and pads out of a later Skylark. My first 64 Skylark was converted to a 455 without too much trouble. Needed 67 mounts and pads. The pads are available from TA Performance. Mounts are a bit harder to find, but not impossible. You will need a rear sump oil pan to clear the frame. Not hard to find. Also a bigger radiator will help. The 2 speed trans will not last too long behind a 455. TH 350 will work, but I prefer the TH400. A lot of board members have done this swap and can give advice. My biggest advice........NO CHEVY MOTOR. :af: Just my 2 cents, Mark
Thanks for the adivice. The question on the 400 was based on the SBC 400 I have sitting dormant in my garage, but if a big block will fit I just might go that route instead. I also have most of an oldsmobile 455, perhapse that might be a good choice? I know it is a sin to swap manufacturers, but as I said, I am on a tight budget and too much has already been done to the rest of the car to keep any value as orriginal anyway. The existing transmittion works rather poorly, I was going to rebuild it...but a standard would be better for a strong motor anyway. This is my first stab at a buick, so I have no buick parts laying around...thus all the questions on oldsmobile & chevy.
The olds would be better than a Chevy... but still. The engine dynamics of Buick 455's are better than that of the Olds 455. Weight being my primary deciding factor for sticking with Buicks (or Cadillacs) in whatever I may build in the future. Big bore/Short stroke is another good power making feature. There are disadvantages, such as some of the prices (though well worth it, to me) and the need for some oiling mods, but with the help of everyone here I am sure everything can be explained. I'm rather new, so I'll just let the experts take over from here :grin: Just a side note, Buick 350's can be had for relatively cheap in rebuildable/running condition and can be built to run rather well. and yah, as Mark said, it'd be a good idea to go with Th350 or Th400 no matter what engine you choose.
Some other things to ponder. You will need a trans either way if the 2 spd is bad. The chevy trans bolt pattern is different than the Buick/Olds. If you get a chevy trans it will ONLY fit chevy. Buick/Olds/Pontiac use the same pattern. The chevy has the starter on the same side as the Buick. Olds is on the drivers side. That means you have to re-wire under the hood. Olds and chevy have the fuel pump on the passenger side. Buick is on the drivers side. That means fuel line issues. Exhaust systems will need to be change either way as the 64 Skylark system just won't work too well as it is small pipes and only single exhaust. With the Buick 350, you could get away with using the 64 mounts/pad for a while. They fit but are a bit small for a strong motor. Olds or chevy mounts and pads will have to be found as they are not the same as the Buick ones. As always, it is your car and you can make it what you like. My take would be to sell the Olds 455 and look for a good running Buick 350 and TH350 trans. It would be a relative easy and not too expensive swap. You should be very happy with the results. Mark
I just swaped my 300 engine in my 65 skylark and put in a 455. Piece of cake with the help of TA's mounting brackets. THough headers are a bit tight. If you are considering a swap, why settle for a smallblock when you can have a big block that make 370 hp and 510 LBS of torque STOCK!!!!!!!!!! Happy motoring
I will probably end up doing exactly that...if I can get the money together. I'm going to tub out the car anyway, so headers should not be a big problem...untill I slam it.
