I just purchased a 455 and a/t trans out of a 72 electra 225. I've started working on a 66 chev fleetside s/b truck and I wanted to put the 455 in it. Has anyone done this or have any info or tips for the swap? Any help will definitely be appreciated.
I don't know why it couldn't be done, IMO it's a pretty good swap. I think several people on the BB have Buick powered trucks, they can fill you in on the details - you probably should switch the thread to the Choo-choo forum to get the most answers. Only problems that I can see is that some of those old trucks were geared pretty low, depending on the engine package - so while your accelleration will be great, your mileage will be bad, and cruising on the highway will be noisy. You should probably plan on a rearend change, or at least a gear change. Also, more than likely you have drum brakes up front. They are inadequate these days even with the stock motor, let alone a much more powerful one. You definately should upgrade to power front discs.
Thanks for the info. I just started working on the truck and I'm going to definitely get to the rear end. Right now it's got 373 gears in a single traction gm 12 bolt. I was thinking of leaving in that gear with a posi unit. You're definitely right about the brakes. I want to convert them over also. I was going to put in the stock motor now and try to finish the body and misc upgrades. I then want to pull out the motor and trans and go back through them. I'm hoping those Buick horses will definitely be able to put on a smoke show. Ha, Ha! Thanks again for the info and any more will be appreciated.
When I started on my 66 chev project I planned on using a 455. I had gone far enough to start mocking up mounts , etc. before finding the 401 I plan on using now. I haven't tried setting the 401 in there yet, so I may end up going back to the 455 myself... :laugh: The stock exhaust manifolds will clear nicely. Headers likely will as well. The kickout on the top of the passenger framerail looked like it was factory designed to clear the oil filter. The only problem I ran into was the overall length of the engine. I planned to run a four-core radiator in the stock location. To get clearance between the fan & radiator, I had to set the engine back into that recessed area in the firewall. The engine was too wide to fit. I had to modify a small area on both sides off the firewall to clear the heads. Like I mentioned, I've switched plans for the drivetrain, so I didn't finish mocking it up. I've since learned there's a short and long version of the water pump; maybe that would help. Using just a two-core radiator would gain room too obviously, but I don't know if it'll provide enough cooling if you plan to tow or have to sit in traffic often. Switching to an electric fan may solve the problem as well. If you plan to add power steering, there's a handy kit available from Brother's Trucks to do so. Also, if you'd like to switch to a tilt column, mid-70's intermediates(malibu's, etc.) are a nice starting point. Their length is near perfect. Skip the expensive power brake kits advertised in the catalogs, standard boosters & pedals can easily be modified to fit.
I have a SBB in a 55 first series chevy. In that model, a BBB requires a firewall set-back. Not a big deal. Yours was set up for a V8 and should be much easier to install. I also subframed mine with a camaro frame. If I would have used the original narrow frame, there would have been some width problems. Buicks are wider than Chevys up top, therefore I had to cut a hole in my inner fender to allow a powersteering pump. If a chevy motor was used it would tuck inside the inner fenders on a 55. Everyone has chevy powered chevy trucks. That's why I love the Buick in it. Good luck.
Hello, do a search with like; "Buick 455 and chevy truck." I am still in the process of gathering parts for putting a BBB in my 78 Blazer. Appearently (from what I have read here), in a 73-87 style chassis, 2 of the 3 frame mounts that the Buick require are present, and all that is needed is that one more hole. I read something about cutting a little out of the frame where the power steering pump goes and where the oil filter sticks out. Mild hand torch cutting. That would be a cool swap. With the 3.73's, you will just have to twist your arm & put some 33 inch tires or more on it (if it is a 4x4), or some big street meats ir it is a 4x2. Have fun & post some cool photos.
I have a 67 C-10/462 Buick I have a 1967 C-10 with a Buick 462 and th 350 trans. Use a buick electra 4dr drive shaft. It may need to be cut. but will work. I tried useing ta supercomp headers but they don't work unless you modify them. any other questions please ask.:beer
Speaking of 66 c-10's. Anyone know in NC where I can get a bench seat in one piece for one? I am using a board to sit on because of broken springs. That BBB should be easier to work on underneath then putting a new clutch in one with a 250.
