What do I need to get besides frame pads? I have the option to buy a very original 350-2v 1969 Skylark that I want to drop a 455/th400 and rear end into. But I need guidance on cost.
Do you have any of the 455 or driveline components now? Here is a list to start. Others will add to it, I'm sure. So, in addition to the 455 motor and Turbo 400 tranny Frame pads Move the tranny mount & a Turbo 400 mounting pad cut and fit driveshaft & turbo 400 yoke good flowing radiator 455 fan shroud clutch fan radiator hoses dual exhaust system up to the manifolds or headers Open element air cleaner Positive battery cable New springs and shocks up front (maybe) Posi-traction rear and correct gear 455 throttle cable gas pedal kickdown switch Floor shift or Turbo 400 linkage parts I'll take a stab at the cost over and above the engine and tranny - $2000-$2500 if you do most of the work yourself except the drivetrain work.
Frame mount kit $150 OE electric fan,...$25 to $150 Wiring kit for said fan $40ish Keep the th350 trans,..shift kit ..aluminum pan,..$250ish Exhaust hookup too many variables,.. Extend engine harness 6in to the starter Leave the 350 coil springs
Well way back when when I swapped the 430 into my 71 I bet it cost me about 300 bucks. I bought the frame pads for 50 from a local junkyard. I Mated the 430 to the th350 and ran stock exhaust manifolds. The skylark already had dual exhaust so I had monro deal with the head pipes for another 100 bucks. I reused all the 350 brackets and put a parts store electric fan on. That was quite a while ago though. That was with 2.56s too.
Ha.....i have a friend with a nice one already converted...and it's a 4-speed......$15k and you are ready to go..... Peace WildBill
John is this going to be a full out race car? If so gut the interior and all the creature comfort parts and if they're any good sell them on the board to raise money for your swap/build, that should help alleviate some of the costs.
Theres soooo much of this work that involves elbow grease and rustoleum to getcha started, that youll see instant gratification with little less than time and effort involved. Pull the front clip off the car and start wrenching. Get that far without losing enthusiasm, then take the next step. Dont go to bed at night dreaming about that 15000.00 blown 562 in. monster motor that would end up tearing the rear frame outa the car if you could even begin to get it to hook up. A LOT of this stuff can be bought right here on the cheap from guys stripping cars. Front end springs?? Ive got two sets for you to choose from. Rear end? I can toss one in ... you pick up! You might not get the 4:88 gear with the locker spool; and Rockwell C38 Strange axles, but do ya really need them? Super duty line lock reverse pattern valve body electronic 4 speed auto with overdrive and a 3000 rpm stall converter? Not even in the plan. Super duty aluminum radiator with dual electric fans yada yada yada\...Ya plan on running dope on a 300 mile run across the desert below the radar?? Buy an airplane. Wanna have fun making black stripes on the asphalt? Go BIG BLOCK or go home. So Ive got the BADLASS with about 8K into the almost finished product PLUS about 2000 hours of my time = ZERO. Post a dozen pics of the car yer considering and youll get 1000 ideas on which way to go. ws
First thing I do would be aluminum heads, SP-3, and carburetor. Shift kit in the trans, and re-gear the 2.56s in the one legged fear end
When I swapped in a 455, trans shop said just build the th350, easier, cheaper, less horsepower loss vs the 400 and will have no problem holding up to a 455. So similar pretty easy swap Frame stands motor mounts fan shroud 350 accessories bolted right up.
No substitute for cubic inches. 455 it. If you are used to a 350 stay there. Go cubic inches you won't go back. Would be worth the price of your work.
