1955 Buick Special with a Hemi

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by kberjian, Jul 28, 2019.

  1. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

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    Tom, Appreciate the lead to that forum. It has a lot of good info there and I am loving the LS swaps some of the guys have done there.

    I got distracted this weekend and worked on my old mini bike to get it running for the kids. Needed a carb rebuild as it had got a bit clogged up after 10 years.

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  2. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    You of course are very welcome Karson. As you know there are a variety of ways of accomplishing the same basic outcome. It may just expand your outlook IF you ever get as involved as you are right now.

    Back in the day I owned 13 '55 Buicks. Mostly Specials & Century's. LOTS of fun!!!! Surprised MANY a Chebby!!!

    Tom T.
     
  3. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Home for a few days and back to work/play in the shop. Disassembled the front drivers side to get the airbag setup figured out and the disc brake kit installed. It is a little more work than. I thought for the air ride since the stock control arms are cast and I don’t want to weld to them. I ended up removing the riveted on spring plate and half done reproducing it from 3/8” plate. I had to drill out the four large rivets since they refused to come out any other way. I will mount my new plate on the top of the control arm and the bag will bolt straight to it. I am not sure which option I like for the upper wed a plate across and block off the spring hole or build a spacer to fill it from some pipe I have here. We will see how I feel tomorrow.
     

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  4. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Finished off the front mounts this morning. I am happy with it and I will be adding a shock on the rear of it after I get the right length figured out.
     

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  5. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    This afternoon I started on the rear mounts for the bags. Started with some 6” std wall pipe and cut it down into some smaller pieces. Then cut out some 1/4” plate for the upper and lower plates and welded it up. Left the gaps to allow me to get into the fasteners and airlines once installed. Later tonight I hope to do the lower mounting plate so at least the whole drivers side is done for airbags.
     

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    69GS430/TKX likes this.
  6. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    LOOKIN' GOOD!!!! Havin' fun yet!!!! I'm sure it will be COOL when done!!!!
     
  7. 68 Wildcat

    68 Wildcat Dash Riprock

    You're making me miss my shop!!!
     
  8. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Good lookin’ project here, nice job.
     
  9. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Lower plate is done on the rear. Bags all bolted in and ready for the air line. Also threw the front disc setup on, fits well and looks good.

    Now to just do the same on the other side...
     

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  10. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    483C19AB-561C-4216-A4F6-8D73A9C2B746.jpeg 26B7A770-9DF7-4491-9212-E216A06920F8.jpeg E6B9EBA8-9467-4CE7-BE75-58CF8645FDC1.jpeg Had lots of fun today. Pulled the wiring harness off the engine and am sending it and the ECU to Swap Specialties for them to build me a new one and reprogram ECU to run engine/trans and omit the need for all the extra stuff like EVAP, catalytic converter, wheel speed sensors, etc.


    Also so did something I was worried about which was changing the transmission over from the 4wd housing to the extension housing and shaft for the 2wd. It all came apart and back together great. Just need to clean and paint the rest of engine and trans to match. Also will need to rework the trans mount since it is different than the 4wd mount... grr.


    Last was some cleanup of the engine bay by taking out the stock engine mounts, the brake and clutch assemblies, part of the battery tray and then finish welding the engine mounts in place. Also finish welded the engine mounts that bolt to the engine.
     
  11. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    I only owned three, Tom but I surprised a few Chevys, Fords, and one memorable night, a 347 inch '57 Pontiac.
     
  12. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Some more progress. Stripped and cleaned the floor boards and put some self etching primer on it. Isn’t a show car and wanted to just protect from more rust. Also got the rims for all four corners and will be modifying them to accept the original Center caps. And rescued a rusty drill press and all it took was some oil, and elbow grease. And am just planning on where to mount air system. A tip I was told is to mount the whole system to 3/4” plywood to allow you to do the lines easier and also it helps kill the sound of the compressor.
     

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    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.
  13. roverman

    roverman Well-Known Member

    For future reference, you might peep Corvette C4/C5 for front suspension clip and rear end/C5 t-axle, torque tube and suspension clip. All aluminum and a lot of tech. for cheap. I just bought a 51' Buick 2 door sed. , led sled on Craig's. I don't even like led sled's, but THIS is Buick ! Other reason is it will swallow a all alum. V16 Buick/Rover. Going C5 front suspension clip= not too difficult. Cheers, Art.
     
  14. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Started my week off by installing my new throttle body. I needed something cable actuated and with a throttle position sensor and a idle air control motor so I ended up with a LS engine based Edelbrock 90mm one. I picked up a adapter but it didn’t work since the intake had centering pins which the adapter didn’t, and the bottom of the adapter and throttle body both hit the intake and needed to be filed down 1/8” or so. Fits perfect now and plugs into the Holley harness.
     

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    68 Wildcat likes this.
  15. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    Worked on the transmission change out today. Pulled off the stock 545RFE trans and started installing the adapter I bought to hook up to the 4L80E. It is a nice kit and everything is working pretty well. Should get it buttoned up tomorrow.


    I also installed the new painless wiring harness and terminated the easy stuff like the rear lights and head light area. I am de sting taking off the dash to make the switch hook up easier but am not sure.


    I am sure that I wish my shop was heated, it is -15c here now and it is tough on the fingers trying to do wiring.
     

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    68 Wildcat likes this.
  16. 68 Wildcat

    68 Wildcat Dash Riprock

    The heater in my garage can only manage +7 C. Still kinda cold to work on the Benz. Where the heck is it -15c? Wildcat is in storage till the flowers come up. Interesting thread! I like your "I can make it in house" attitude.
     
  17. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    I am in Alberta. I would love +7 or even 0. I never got around to insulating my shop over the summer and didn’t want to pay someone 10k to do it so here I am struggling through another winter again.... maybe next year?
     
  18. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Saw this '56 for sale and thought of this thread :) Thought it might be some good inspiration!

    https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/chandler-1956-buick-special-restomod/7037039936.html


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    © craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap

    (google map)

    1956 1956 Buick Special

    condition: like new
    cylinders: 8 cylinders
    drive: rwd
    fuel: gas
    odometer: 1700
    paint color: red
    size: full-size
    title status: clean
    transmission: automatic
    type: coupe

    1956 2dr hardtop Buick Special Restomod with 2005 5.7 Hemi, Transmission, and computer system from a Dodge Magnum R/T. Car was dynoed at 404hp to the rear wheels by ADS.
    Full frame off restoration with frame and body stripped to bare metal. Block sanded and epoxy sealed before applying PPG Viper Red and Chardonnay paint with 3 coats of clear.
    Drivetrain had 6300 miles on it at time of conversion.
    Corvette C4 front suspension with Art Morrison 4 link rear section. Auburn 9" Ford rear end with Strange posi carrier and 3:50-1 gears .
    Tanks fuel tank with in tank fuel pump, A&M aluminum radiator, ceramic coated headers, Magna Flow exhaust system, Power disc brakes on all 4 corners, QA1 coil overs in front and Ride Tech air bags in rear.
    Ciadella Ultra leather interior with leather wrapped Lecarra banjo steering wheel. Dakota Digital gauges, Gen IV Vintage Air and heat, Retro sound system, Ididit Tilt column, new wiring harnesses throughout the car. Electric windows, and automatic dimming interior lights.
    New American Racing Wheels and Nitto tires. 18" rear and 17" fronts.

    Have full documentation of the build with wiring diagrams and photos of the process.

    Has won class in last 15 of 19 outings and is a one of one car. 1700 miles on build. All trophies, documentation and pictures will go with the car.

    Please contact me from information in the reply box. Please be a serious buyer. Phone calls only, no texts or email.
     
    Darron72Skylark likes this.
  19. kberjian

    kberjian Well-Known Member

    That is awesome. Love the setup. Not in love with the stance and rim/tire combo but they did alot of great work.
     
  20. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Agreed, definitely needs an altitude adjustment. What part of Alberta are you in? I'm from Conrad, MT and used to come up there a LOT when I turned 18. Lot of friends in Coutts and Milk River :)
     

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