well, for those of you who know of me and my swapping a 455 Buick into a '79 Trans am i finally got it in and got some pics and a couple questions along the way if ya people can help me out like ya been so far. This board and people on the board are full of info and are awsome friendly people! For a second i was a little nervose to come on here, when i started, and tell these loyal and decated people about my swap.. I though you guys would get offended and I would get attackd or hated on, but nope, everyone is friendy in the buick community, alot more than those Ford FrEaKs! HA HA HA ! Anyt way, THANKS GUYS!!!!!!!!!:beer One of my questions is, did the 350s and 400s come with a diffrent crossmember or the same? Mine is now 6"-8" inches farther back from the orginal mounting holes which is'nt a problem because I can drill new ones. My only concern is that this is a Sub-frame car and now the cross member is about 10" closer to the rear body bushings. Not sure but do ya think that would effect the integreaty of the frame? Im only concerened because the motor mounts are now mounted on the front location of the block and the crossmember is farther back and to me it seems like their would be alot of weight and no support between the motor and tranny mating, or am I just worring about nothing? ou: Another, I gonna break in the motor in about a week and do I need to change the gap on the plugs with a bigger cam or is the stock gap fine? Its an HEI and a mild to wild street cam. .30 over 10:1 hyper pistons,510 intake and 490 exhaust cam, '70 heads cleaned up and valve job,'70 intake and 800 cfm Rockchester carb. Oh, and .016 off between cleanning up the block and heads Another, can I get away with a 3 row raditor for now untill I can afford a good 4 row? I wont be using the A/C any tine soon. Another, I was told to break in the motor with the old stock oil pump spring but I lost it.. Which color should I use to break it in the red or white and should I change it over after break in? Its a stock pump, not Hi-vol. Well, thats all I can think of for now.. Any help is greatly appreciated, as allways.. Thanks again, ~VINNY Here it is! A Biuck of a diffrent color!!:TU: http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeEMXLJy0atnDw
You MAY get away with the 3-row radiator. Make sure you are running a fan shroud, the fan is positioned properly in the shroud, and that your fan clutch (if equipped) is operating properly. I would think this setup would be OK in most situations, however, the two I would be most concerned about are during the inital break in, and sitting in traffic on a hot day. I would make sure you have a fan capable of moving a very large quantity of air, placed directly in front of the car to help keep things cool during the break in. Your best bet though would be to get the proper 4 row radiator. I'm sure you've spent plenty of time and $ to get to this point, you wouldn't want to damage your new motor now because you skimped on a $200 radiator. :Smarty: Good Luck! :TU:
You can get a hi-efficiency for almost the same money. It is the same dimensions as a standard 3-core, but has 15 fins per inch instead of 12. I got one in my car, which has a .030 over 455, and have never had an overheat problem.
Thanks alot guys, im thinking alot more about it and your right, i am now concerned about the break in period, dont want to blow this up. I just might wait it out an extra week or so to buy a 4-row. I dont want the cause of my motor failing because of a radiator. I want ed to use my old one for now, due to my buget, and buy a 4 row in a month but forget that. Thanks again. Anyone have tips or advise on the other questions? Thanks again ~ Vin
That generation of F bodies had no integretrity to worry about harming. Polyurethane Rubbers and Subframe connector kit will take care of those probs. The rear set of the crossmember won't hurt what is, already, a compromised design. The rearward mounting will help with the traction problems you are obviously going to experience. Neat project
AWSOME!!!! :laugh: THANKS FOR THE REASSURENCE MAN:TU: I didnt think it would have much of an effect but i like 2nd opinions on everything,especially since this is my first restoration project and motor swap in to a car that never came with a buick. I love calssic Buicks and Trans Ams and starting to realize why Pontiac didnt use Buick motors, TOO MUCH POWER!!!!!!!:3gears: HA HA HA Thanks again
what kind of exhaust are you going to be using(headers/manifolds)? it looks a bit tight in there with those upper control arms being so close to the engine. just wondering because i might be doing a similar swap but with a buick 350 or pontiac 400 into a 80 camaro z28. Joel
Im going to be using headders. I havent tried to bolt then on yet but Im %99 sure that theyll fit just fine. I can let ya know in a few days when I install them.:beer
