Hello again, so the motor in my 1969 Buick Riviera is put together, the old 340 that was in there is out and 455 is in. My question is for the wiring, is the Buick 340 harness wiring the same as the 455 wiring or should I just use the wiring that came with the 455. Just wanted to see if I was going to run into any problems? I'm running the Mallory comp SS distributor with the HEI performance coil. Plus I'm running a triple gauge so any comments that may be useful? Tomorrow will be the first day she will turn over since rebuild. Will post video tomorrow. I want to thank everyone that has helped me during this process and for the parts I needed to acquire to finish this build. Thanks again and this site is the best site for Buick's,everyone works as a team and is always willing to give a hand. One last question before I forget, since the motor I rebuilt is from a 73 riviera, am I better off getting a service manual for a 73 or my 69, may be a silly question but want to make sure since this is my first Buick build. Tony
I think the '69 Buick Shop Manual would be the better of your choices Tony - it will give you all the info you need on the car and the various '69 components and features. The 430 engine specs may not apply to the 455, but they are very similar BBB engines. Good luck on your first start !! :TU:
Regarding your last question, when I killed my original 430 I swapped in a '73 455 from a rusty boat tail in the neighborhood. Only difference was that it ran well on regular due to lower compression. Now I have a high compression '70,71,72,73. Because, fortuitously, it is all pretty much the same.
Cool, the only thing was the previous owner removed the 430 and put in a small block 340 so my concerns with the wiring was a little iffy but I'm sure it will come together well. I appreciate everyone's info on this. Thanks, Tony
One thing you will need to do is replace the resistance wire in the harness that goes to your coil with a solid 14 gauge wire. They used the resistance wire with points type distributor.
Was the original wiring of the 430 used on the 340 swap ? If so, it will be compatible with the 455. '69 Rivieras came with an in tank electric fuel pump, much like modern vehicles have now, and a block off plate bolted to the 430 fuel pump opening on the side of the engine. HEI distributor wire can be ran through the fire wall to the fuse block under the dash with a flat blade style end plugged into any unused post marked "IGN".
Have you got a checklist to go over before firing up your new motor? What to do right after it lights up ? Since your car has had its original motor removed and another non-similar type installed its up to you to determine if the original harness is there, if so has it been hacked into and to what extent. Your original '69 430 harness should have had no problem with the 455 slid in but you do need to change the resistance wire as mentioned. If you have the coin and your harness is questionable in any way, I highly suggest you buy a new engine harness. I struggled with my old, hacked (previous to me) harness for about 5 years after I first got BigRed and finally bit the bullet and ordered a new one. It was the single BEST ~$150 dollars I've ever spent on that car. 69 chasis service manual is what you want .. aside from specific 455 engine parts your car is a 69 Riv right ? I call it The Bible - I've been reading it since 1981. I've worn out / ragged out at least 2 copies over the years
i have this harness available if you need one. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?262631-69-riviera-engine-wiring-harness&p=2242260#post2242260
