<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> With in the last month I've purchased a 65' Skylark with the 300 ci 355 and I've been going over in my head the advantages of a swap from the 300 to the 455 and was wondering what some of you thought on the subject. I was thinking the 71' would be what I'd go with unless anyone knows why up or down a year or so would be of additional advantage. I know the motor mount kits are out there along with the trans crossmember any thing in doing this swap I need to be on the lookout for or stay away from? I've heard of guys who would make a 1 inch spacer between the hood and cowl that goes between the hood and hinges but it wasn't done for clearance issues more so for air. Any thoughts or insight would be great.
Theres many advantages To do the swap. You'll more power than you know what to do with.As far as what year 455 ? 72 is fine. if you can find a set of 70 heads they flow much better than the later heads Even if you can find a 430 tallport heads Are best. I put a 455 in a 66 skylark It was alittle bit of a pain in the neck but in the end it will be all worth it..
I just put a 455 in my '65 wagon. Wasnt that hard, as long as you dont put headers on. I didnt try it but everybody has nightmare stories about that. But of course i will be putting headers next year, but for now the engine is in. Motor/frame mounts by TA Short nose waterpump by TA Align the pulleys w/ the p/s (which i havent done yet) What tranny are you planning on using?
Heres my swap with a few pics...should be firing it up this sat ....J http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=126187
Eric, Thanks for the input man, alot of what I've read recently (I've been researching it because it's the first Buick I've owned) the conversions were with 70' or 71', if I understand you correctly you stated finding a set of 430 heads, so I take it that there is no prob fitting the 455, as far as water passages and what not. I initially thought the earlier year blocks would have been the stronger castings. One thing no one has talked (in a positive light that is!) about has been headers, I know I've only read about one place that makes them for the 300 but, I thought in this day and age the work around would have easy by now! Thanks for the info man it's very helpful! Doug
Marvin, Where in LA are you? good insight man, let me ask you this why next year for the headers? I can understand the money issue, I think most of us do anyway. Trans is wide open as it stands now I'm on the fence between manual and auto and heres my reasoning - I love the manual but with the advances in auto tech of the last 10 years the autos are just about even if not better in some cases. Any ideas punt them my way I'm open to suggestions! Doug
John, Love the install it looks good even with the power steering pump high, which on the year (65') looks like its in the ball park of where it was orig placed. You mentioned the motor mounts you used were Korean? and had two different positions? how far back did it allow you to place the motor? Looks like a super clean install I'd love to see it once completed, the link you posted was good info, you planing to install headers or keep the manifolds? Again thanks man, Doug
I live by USC (Jefferson/Normandie) And i waited on the headers for the reason you stated....Low in :dollar: I was on a budget and i wanted to stick to it. SO i'll have to wait till next year.
Marvin, I know where you are coming from man, money makes the world go round! My wife is from the LaCanada/Flintridge/La Crescenta area so I'm up that way usually once a month at least. Matter of fact I bought my car from a guy in the City of Glendora. I've been looking sense 2002, so I'm a happy guy, it was a present from my wife for our 20th Wedding Anni. I found it, checked it out, she paid for it (with my money!) and got the credit!! Did you get a chance to look at the post (attachment) that sootie007 (John) put up there, take a look at it, it looks like a SWEET install! Thanks for the info man, Doug
HEY DOUG, By the way If and when you do the swap take lots of pic's Everone here love's to see progress pictures.
Hey Doug, Yes i saw JOhn's pictures and post. Beautiful engine and car. When ever you're in the area, come down and check the setup and how i did the swap if you like...and ride the Wagon
Eric, Will do, that is something I've always done just for my own documentation, so I can remember too! It sucks getting old! Doug
Marvin, Looks good doesn't it! Sounds like a good plan to me man, I know my oldest starts school next week, the two younger ones at the end of the month, so the trips up may lessen but next time we go up I'll see if we can't get together I'd love to see how your install went that be cool Thanks for the invite! Doug
Headers aren't that bad, but it does take a little finessing and patience. The main thing is to put them in the frame before you set the engine in, and check for clearance everywhere before you bolt everything tight.
Thanks for the compliments- you dont want to know how many hrs I have in cleaning , sandblasting, painting and polishing all those parts and the engine compartment etc.........I am staying with manifolds...Im going for just a bit better than stock hp wise on my 455...Im figuring realisticly 400 hp 480 ft lbs. on my build . I have a copy of desktop dyno coming so I will see if I am correct or not on those figures and repost . Photos of header installs I have seen show guys having to dimple $300 headers OUCH so they dont hit the steering shaft. BUT I have heard probably +30 hp +30 ft lbs headers vs manifolds. But like I said I dont care as 400 hp is good enough for me ! I think I prematurely freaked on the power steering pump...its not too high so its staying.....the Korean mounts were actually the engine block mounts....I used TA's frame pads as I heard the Postons have some sort of minor issue. The TA mount I think gets you approximately 1/2 inch rearward toward the firewall to aid in header installs...I put it at that rearward setting in case I decide in a few years to put headers on. I just installed the front 1/2 of my Pypes 2.5 " x pipe system just for engine break in ...I am impressed with it so far - looks like a good system choice - good kit. Hopefully I will be firing it all up Saturday morning - wish me luck !
John, Thats too cool man being at that point, I can't wait till I get there I just hope I'm young enough to still drive! Did you use any lowering springs? The reason I'm wondering is with the back spacing of the motor and the lowering of the car would change the VCG and LCG which will make her handle alot better. She also woun't feel as nose heavy as some big block conversions do because of the added wieght over the front end. I'd be interested in what the weight distrubition is just for the fun of it. Thanks for the info man its a wealth of knowledge you have there my friend. Good luck on Sat let me know how it goes! Doug
Car has Eilbach lowering springs front and rear .....were already on car when I bought it - but I love the stance....appear to be ok with big blocks additional weight....I am running an aluminum intake but the weight of everything else is in there as stock and it sits up ok .....thanks again for all the compliments...tomorrows the big day ...oops and I forgot one other tip I ended up running a 67 GS radiator fan shroud...I bought mine from "The Parts Place" .......J.
Cool, if I remember right the springs are good for about 1 1/2 to a 2 inch drop. She had a great stance in the pics, what size/back spacing are the rims on her? Great info on the shroud I didn't even think about that!
2 inch drop .....Wheels custom backspacing is ....4 and 3/8 inch front and 4 and 7/8 rear. Custom order 6 to 8 weeks. Torque thrust II wheels with 215/45 and 245/45 17, Want more sidewall so Im DEFINITELY going for that on the next set as these I think are too low profile for my taste. Thanks, everybody likes its stance...it makes a suttle car really look meaner.....J
John, How goes the initial start/run? Hope it all went well man! Thanks again on the info about the wheels and springs! Doug
