I am 19 years old and my dad purshed a 1986 buick regal with a 307 motor in it with the intent of fixing it up. well we just found a 1976 455 motor to put in the car. the problem is i am in the army :blast: and need this car to go highway and strip with $1,200 to spare on it the monent any sugestions on what to do to the motor with a basic rebuild for now?
A "basic" rebuild will easily eat your $1200. I think you best hope is that the bottom end of that 455 is tight. Then you can use that $1200 for a Cam, timing chain, Decent torque converter, etc. When I was in the Army they had self help garages. If that program still exists, you may be able to do a rebuild with little cost of machine work. Look into that. Good luck!!! :TU:
That's what I was going to say. I was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA and we had a garage there. It was great. Lots of guys to help and except for stuff like boring a block, you could get most stuff done right there for next to nothing. Of course this was back in 1983-84. Man, am I getting old or what.
i checked with my sargent and he doesnt know anything about one down in ft. lenardwood. It sucks because that would have been a big help. does anyone know if there is a difference between 72 heads and the 76 heads for a 455 and which ones are better to instill on a 76 block.
Since you are on a tight budget... The easiest, cheapest, simplest way would be to install a used healthy Oldsmobile 350 or 403 since your car came from the factory with a Oldsmobile 307. You are going to need that money for odds & ends along the way if you plan on doing it right.
Hate to say it, but the guy ahead of me's right. Unless you can spend some time looking for the parts you need, it may blow the budget and take entirely too long. However, if I were you I'd have a 455 in there, just because it'd be cool.
get 74 or newer heads, it will bump up compression. put engine on stand , check bottem end for major problems, gaskets,seals,bearings,timingchain.oil pump modifications the rough parts will be frame pad mounting. maybe front springs. suggest aluminum radiator f body or park ave/boniville body 89- up
The best question is does it run? If it runs why dont you install it like it is set up the car drive it than save money and when you can pull it out and go thru the motor. That way you can drive. Then when after you save money and buy all the parts you can go faster! Good luck!!!!!!!!
OK, so the 76 455 is out of an Electra and was 'running well' when pulled. Since only a budget build will probably simply hone and ring, bearings, seals and gaskets, mild cam (recommendations?), and freshen up the heads. Stock converter, rebuild the 2004r, and new u-joints. Suggestions or sources for the frame mounts? Been reading the posts about centering/drilling for the mounts.
if your going to waste money on freshing the heads i would go with 74 and earlier heads and go with a ta 212 cam or a ta 284 88 H cam but with the low compression of the 76 heads the ta 112 cam the earlier heads will set you up around 8.5 ish as the 76 heads will net some where in the high 7's ta has both mounts as set up the 2004r detent cable before starting engine once engine is bolted to trans. or you will damage trans. also the 2004r is costly to upgrade .get a good trans cooler for it get any upgrades you can to the trans.the second gear band and servo is important or even a stock 455 and wipe it second. i have blown a few until i got a grand nat valvebody and servo. even a good rebuild on the 2004r will cost more than your budget allows right now. consider a junk yark 350 trans. easy swap from 2004r just move up trans crossmember on driver side and leave out a bolt on pass side will get you set up fast.it would be a direct bolt in.
oh yea i should have mentioned this your asking alot out of your 1200 bucks if the 307 runs well run that until you get everything you will need .you still havent factored in exhuast,possibe front springs hoses and little stuff. when you do swap save the accel cable bracket for the 455. will help set up the detent cable
Ok Alec earlier you said the 74 and newer heads are better now it's the 74 and earlier. HUH? I have the 72 heads on the bench that need nothing. So that's what I will go with. The 307 is junk. blows oil and knocks. so I'm doing it right. Thanks for the lead on the cam and frame mounts.
Bob Far as the financing goes shoot for a $800 to $900 budget, don't worry cause all the stuff that you don't think of will take care of the rest of your $1200. If the Electra motor really is in good shape I wouldn't even change the heads, I'd just pop it right in there. The heads while bumping your compression probably won't increase your horsepower by more than 4 or 5%. With the torque output of a stock 455 that Regal will be scary, put it in drive and let it shift itself and it'll last a good while, long enough to get some money togeather to build the motor you want. :beer Course then there's a rearend, headers, 200r4 trans, suspension, cam, carb and intake, cooling system, ignition, wheels and tires, etc. etc. etc. It's like being a drug addict, you can never get enough.. :3gears:
