The plus of the olds engine is the intake can be pulled without messing with the distributor. You can replace the lifters pretty quick. Although it does take some time to remove all 452 valve cover bolts!
Its been 3 years and I'm finally working on this car. Thought about it long enough and then jumped in with both feet. Started the Blue Block clone thread about putting the engine together and in the last few days I've pulled the 350 and set a mockup 455 block and empty case TH400 in the bay to line stuff up and make mounts. Its been in and out 8-10 times. have no idea why but there seems to be no way to get the mounts evenly spaced and still have the engine centered, square and level in-between the crossmember. Finally gave up and made my own mounts. Sold the 350 and trans a few days ago so dont have that as reference. Gave the frame pads to them as well. There was no way they would come close to working for the BBB. Int has been done and installed for a couple of years and looks great. Still have aways to go until I turn the key. Have set myself a May deadline to make the Nationals. Right side mount Left side Trans mount.
Friend of mine (@bherbert's brother) put a 455 in a crew cab version of that car back in the late 80's - IIRC was orig. a 301 car. No idea what he did for mounts and was probably not nearly as worried about getting is right it as you are. Looking forward to seeing that beauty in BG!
Next step is to pull the rear end. Got a Yukon posi and 3:23 gear set from Monaz ( Jim aka JD race). Took drive shaft measurements yesterday. Will drive that over to Jax next week. Friday next week Im going to Johns S Fl Buick bash so dropping of a 9.5 converter at JW trans for a reflash. Once all the parts get back under 1 roof it shouldnt take long to assemble. For now I'll be re using the 400 that was in the Regal. Rev man valve body with a brake.
About a month later and the Fat Bastard blue block clone is in the car, wired and starts with the key. Made up the trans lines and bolted up the converter today. So far so good. Should have the rear and drive shaft back next week and then it will be a roller again. Pulled the tank and cleaned it out. found the sender was no bueno. Ordered one from Rock Auto. 50$ shipped. new rubber lines. reinstalled an 5 Gals of 93 poured in. Been hitting it pretty hard one item at a time. Have spent way more than I ever planned to or could expect to get back out of it . Trans has a brake and Rev valve body which will work off the column shifter. Pulled the factory gages and replaced with Autometer. To make room for the tach I moved the gas gage over to the R side where the clock once was mounted then carved up the dash to make the new larger gages fit like they were factory. A bunch of house keeping neat and tidy stuff to be done but that can wait until all the mechanical stuff is done.
Tried to send ya a message but got an error instead. Any chance you can pull up a diagram that shows the body wiring? Trying to get the fuel gage to function. Thanks!
I got that figured out after a bit of screwing around with it yesterday. It turns out part of the fuse block is dead. I jumped power from one switched legs that did have power into the circuit that did not and several things started working inc the fuel gage. blinkers started blinking and some of the warning lights turned on. This car had the switch at the base of the column melted when I bought it and the wire that runs from it through the main harness to the HEI was cooked. Probably cooked other stuff in there as well. Not planning on digging into it further at this time. Just need the basics to get her going and road legal
Just discovered this thread and the last dozen posts reminded me of a 77 or 78 LeSabre I saw at a local show about 20 years ago which had a 455 BBB. Looked like it belonged there. Couldn't locate the owner to discuss how he managed the swap. Didn't have my camera with me at the time or I'd post a photo. Only saw it the one time and have no idea where it is now.
Picked up the rear end and drive shaft couple days ago. Once thats mounted and the tires back on it it will be a roller and should pull its own weight and then some. Now in need a set or DR's. looking for 9x28. Do Not want to buy new if I can help it. Thursday I jumped on a plane to Mn to take part in the Tomahawks dyno run . The LeSabre will have to wait until I get home on Monday.
Car is completely assembled. Got the exhaust installed yesterday. Tags and Ins also. Now that I can actually hear the engine i got valve trane noise and a lot of it. Pulled the dipstick and saw sparkles as well as something big enough to feel between my fingers. OP is very good hot and cold. Makes me sort of worried. Drove home from the muffler shop yesterday afternoon with no issues. a bit later decided to ride it back into town to the parts store. on the way I leaned on it a bit and she fell on her face at 4500rpm. Came back around when I let off the pedal . Figured filter getting clogged. Finished and left to go home. She stalled as I pulled onto the road, started right up and stalled at the stop sign, started up and stalled again then would not restart. Pulled the air cleaner lid and n0 fuel from the squirters. Now thinking old used fuel pump chit the bed. Got a ride home from the O'reilly parts runner n came back with the truck and trailer. Will deal with it more today. The noise has me a bit worried
Stalling issue was a clogged filter. was completely coated with a fine rusty paste. Ordered a new tank next day and installed it this weekend. Had to reuse the filler neck and had no idea how it was attached so cut around it then pulled it out with part of the tank attached. Looks like it was held in place with lead. got it all cleaned up and then brazed it back in place with brass. Must have been a larger tank than what was removed cause the straps didnt fit right. Made a couple of 6" bolts. Went for a nice ride to the gas station then around a huge 15 mile "block" Did a trans brake launch then a couple burnouts using the line lock. This thing is a beast.
I had one of those years ago. It was white over red with a white leather interior. What a nice riding car but it was a gas hog. I think it was a Buick 350 with a 4bbl.
2 weeks until the Nats. Thinking I should make a trip to the track for a TnT to see what I can expect in BG or see what still needs to be fixed, repaired , replaced. Started polishing this turds paint job and to my surprise it will shine! Drove her to church on Sunday. Folks there are pretty used to seeing my Riv and the Wildcat and dont really pay them much attn but this RaSabre got more looks and comments than I''d have ever expected.
