Buick 455 into Regal, whats wrong?

67 Skylark headers?

They won't fit my Regal so I can't use them. At this point I don't really know what they fit only that they came out of the trunk of a junk 67 Skylark. The guy also had a switch pitch 400 transmission and some high performance (steel) 430 heads, did a 67 Skylark come with that stuff?

 

Heres An Idea

Depending how far off they are and depending if you have a good a exhaust shop you could cut the tubes out that dont clear and a good exhaust could make new tubes in for somtimes a reasonable price. Im not sure who made the headers i have but i know they came out of a 65skylark and they fit very well wit no cutting i can even put a full size starter up wit no problem.

 

Got some junk headers

My best friend gave me some junk (cracked tubes, etc) Poston headers tonight that came off his 455 Regal. I will trial fit them and see how they fit and if they fit ok I will order some new ones from Poston Tuesday. I appreciate the offer of pics though. He told me the Buick community is very tight nit and any Buick guy will help another if it will help to make a Buick run faster. I have been running Chevy's for the past ten years and its not always that way. Thanks for the offer and everyone else that is trying to help me. I'm almost 60 years old and its hard for a old dog to learn new tricks.

 

Where are the headers contacting? Mine were a real pain to get fit in.

The 430 wasn't offered on the Skylark until 68, but the 400 was available on the GS. The Switch Pitch was around in 67 tho...

 

Don't fit, won't fit

It would be easier to say where they don't contact then where they do. There not for this chassis evidently. I will probably sell them at the Buick nationals in 2007 here in Bowling Green. Someone there can probably look at them and tell me what there actually for. They weigh alot more than the (junk) Poston headers I borrowed from my friend for a test fit. They have no Numbers are any identification whatever on them. I thought I measured the tubes when I bought them (1 7/8") but they look bigger than the (junk) ones I borrowed. They even have red paint on them and I haven't seen that color on headers in many years, then usually come painted with Black paint.

 

All I want to add is my best wishes for your project. Don't give up. I'm sure with the help you can get here you'll be able to figure it out and get that 455 stuffed in. You're not the first one to do it, nor the last. Sell the chevy engine to a chevy guy. Lets see what this big bad boy torque monster of yours can do in your G body once you get it put together.

BBB - Big Block Buick, Big Bad Boys

 

you could talk to jim at trishieldperformance
he had a regal with a 455 and did the engine for tim hol's regal
check his website trishieldperformance.com and see some of the engine packages that he has too.
i have my engine there now getting a girdle and alum ta heads
hope to clear 600 hp and should hold up for a long time
he also sponsors the v8buick site

 

One of the things that I did when i put a 455 in my 79 regal is I lowered it in with the transmission and than bolted the transmission to the the transmission crossmember and than installed the driveshaft. when it is installed it should look like the passenger sides sits further forward than the drivers. good luck.

 

ta's 2" ones will fit also but be prepared to do alot of trimming like leviathan stated. they made my swap take about 3 times as long. but im pretty happy with them now that im done. i havnt raced the car yet but it pulls a hell of alot harder then my 12 second convertable. regals with bbb are fun.

 

I just trimmed a bit off the control arms,and my poston headers went right in
yes, BBB regals are a helluva fun ride

 

Got one to fit

Tried to order some headers from Poston and they are out of stock for six weeks. To make a long story short I'm trying to fit the new ($40.00) headers I bought from the guy out in the country. I've got the right one to fit after some trimming on control arms, etc. The left one will have to be dimpled are have one tube moved over about 1/2". I don't want to dimple it so will go to a muffler shop and have it moved over. I measured the tubes and they are 2" not 1 7/8" like I thought. Guess that 1/8 inch makes a big difference. I'm not going to give up on this pig, it will go down the track before the season ends, I hope!

 

Ta Shorty Headers

Here's a pic for ya! TA shorty Headers on the passenger side need some adjustments that can be done with a large file to your a-arm and a hammer to the header. These are tools that every caveman should have in his cave. :grin:

I'm not quite sure what cross member you are using for this project, but if you are using a Turbo 350 tranny you need the crossmember from a 200C metric tranny. There is a completely different crossmember for the 200R4, that can be used for the Turbo 400.

Oh yes it is a heck of alot easier to have your tranny and motor together and bolt your tranny bolted down to your crossmember for optimum fit for your motor. Just make sure you have the right crossmember!

Have fun! :TU:

 

regal 400 th cross member , repeat and explain

Can you please explain the cross over , from what car it is from on a 400 and to attach to motor on install or individual install, and use of what radiator to cool a 455, have an 86 regal. This is my next spring fun . Although here is my winter project, try a 455 skyhawk 4 speed. The use of a 68-69 water pump and pulleys will allow 1/2 inch for fit to radiator. Exhaust will be fun, but need your help for regal for spring on my 430 race motor into my 86 thanks craig

 

You need to use a crossmember from a 85-87 Regal that had a 200r4 tranny. That crossmember will bolt directly to a 400 tranny.

As for radiators, I used a 3 core out of an early 80's Olds Cutlass. I also took the fan shroud from there. You are better off with an aluminum rad but I didn't have the $$$ to go there.

 

You may also find this crossmember in like year Olds 442's and Monte Carlo SS's. Oldmobile crossmembers are favorable for racing as there are no end bushings. It is a direct mount.

There are a couple of options for radiators. I used a Summit Brand aluminum radiator and used mounting brackets from a Ford Crown Victoria. For my T-type project I bought a Modine Model 915 radiator. This radiator is a one-core aluminum rad with plastic ends used in 89 IROC 5.9 Camaro's. Its a stock fit for our Regals. I've had no cooling issues with this rad and a electric fan from a cavalier. I would recomend using this rad and a electric fan from a Lincoln Continental. Here's a pic of my engine compartment of my 455 ride with the Summit Brand rad.

 

you could use the alum radiator out of park ave,bonniville,lesaber
frt wheel drive cars 86 andup the 84-85 grand nat guys use them
alot and plentyful in scrapyard

 

I have been working on the same project. where are you located? Make sure your have a good radiator, I think that is the reason why I have blown another motor

 

He sold the car

it ran great though!

 

Re: Parts being used

On my 1st Buick 455 1985 Regal, I had to drill new holes. Poston (out of business for years now) lied about "the holes being in the chassis. It took me 2-days to realize THAT ... and that I also needed a "swivel" rachet (through the oblong hole already in the chassis) to assist with those 2 bolts (1 each side ... near the front of Poston's chassis mounts).:TU:

I had a 74 Buick 455, '85 then a 1987 Regal, th400 3-speed short tail, the factory TH200 tranny cross-member (I had to move it back @ 3" on the DRIVER'S side), a GN drive shaft, and a GN posi rear. Hope this helps.

Have you gotten the motor in prior to my reply?