hello there, name's Gregg, ran across this board a while back, and I finally have a reason to go about joining. About myself, I am a fabricator at Industrial Chassis inc. (hotrod and classic truck shop) in Phx Az, Im into traditional hotrods, and customs, pontiacs, buicks, and early fords. My question, I picked up a 54 century a while back, went throught the dynaslow, and then found out that the motor had a hole in 1 piston, also it is not a 322 as should be, it is a 264. I have found a 364 outta a 57, its still running and driving, and I am going to stick it in my 54. what do I have to look out for? will the 57 motor bolt to the 54 trans? flexplates interchange? should I use the flexplate that goes with the motor to maintain balance? starter and location the same? are the motor mounts the same or are they interchangable? What am I getting myself into? I also have two spare nailheads, a JR code 401, and annother early with numbers I cant identify (I6707554) it looks like both of these are just cores,and are incomplete. anybody have any words of wisdom?
HI Gregg There have been several other post about swapping a later V8 into the 54 -55 Buicks, most have used the later 401's. I think the best choice is the 65/66 401/425 motors, with the turbo 400 trans. Since your have acess to a shop like yours, should be not too much a problem, Also try the AACA.org, BCA (performance) site. more information there. I have a 66 401 sitting in my garage just ready for a 54 Century, I had one about 1959 , with the factory 3 speed . What a driving machine, kickked butt everywhere, 57 Chevs were no problem,(fuel injected cars were hard) ,not quite enough to mess with the 348 chebbys. Should be quite a FUN car. Jim Schilf / palbuick@aol.com
wisdom ? Ya stick to slaping hot rods. I would stay with chevy drive for the slam ming 50s kruzzing. Doug,Toronto,Dntn.
