subframes will bolt it, it is the rear sub frames that are welded to the floor panels. Take the cross member with you, it may be the only piece that is different, depending on which transmission you have. Also take the motor mounts and any associated brackets, there may be some small differences and it is easier if you have these small parts rather than trying to fab something up later on. Ben.
parrish, im thinking that the subframe for the 75-79 nova/skylark isn't going to bolt up to your 73. you may want to look into this b-4 you do it.
I guess I will have to go back and measure unless anyone who has physically done this can confirm. I believe I read somewhere else, maybe another post on this board, that it would work but bumper brackets had to be changed. Thank you! Side note: Wormwood, we are brothers in 455's (eventually) and ls1's......kinda cool.
I'm not moving too fast......Once the cam gets here and I disassemble the short block, everything will go to the macine shop. I guess once I get everything ok'd I will yank out the 350 and start test fitting. Thats why I would like to figure this sub frame thing out.
Quick update.... Cam came in yeterday so heads will be dropped off at the machine shop in the am. I still have to tackle the rest of the short block but I'll get him started on those. Short block should be done by the end of next week for another fri am drop off at the machine shop. Since no one that has physically swapped subframes has spoken up, I'll do a search and try pm'ing them. Otherwise if I get no luck from that, i'll just continue with what I have and use the manifolds.....(concerned about the core support and bumper bracket change over) Thanks!
I have a GM Master Parts Book on the Apollo, published in '81. Not sure what GM called the subframe...I believe it's: Member, Side & Cross Gr.7.010 # 6260965 73-74/All Sup 332675 Gr.7.010 # 458928 75-76 -/All You might be able to get part numbers from the Nova collectors & see if they are the same. Anything you need from my book just ask.
Parrish; i never noticed the ls1 thing, cool! i love my ls1 (not sure why i throw money at my buick sometimes) have you gone to steve's nova sight? ask around in there about the subframe swap, i'm convinced it isn't a straight bolt over swap. here is a link to the sight if you need http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/index.php?
Well The heads are almost done so I got the rest of the short block apart to get machined. I dropped all of tha off friday. The heads were cleaned magged, no milling needed, 3 angle valve job, springs and seals replaced and short radius bowl ported. The block will be cleaned, magged, cam bearings installed, mains aligned honed, and bored .30 over and crank checked and polished. Just giving an update, I guess when I get everything back i'll pull the old 350 and start test fitting the bare block. I guess that will be a good time to put the disc kit on the front. I also think I want to remove the inner fenders.
here is my plan: move motor forward 2.5 inch bell line mount a dumby 455 block, mount motor mount to frame note this moves fan into radiator but not an electric problem. the move used factory electra 455 cast manifolds to fit over the gearbox like factory fit, as casting has a concave perfect to gearbox recut an electra/98 driveshaft to fit. Use a short water pump set up and bells set conventional headers would not fit gearbox as you probably found. also use a 400 as the torque will rip up a 1st gear clutch in a 350th
Sorry I havent been on here in a while but the 462 is done and the shortblock is assembled. I had my machine shop do it because I just didnt have the time. It will be a while before it goes in the car because my wife wants to clean up and paint the engine bay.
Just an update, its almost ready to start going in. just need to clean the rocker arms, rails, replace the nylon buttons and give the rockers a little lube. Also need to prime the oil pump, install the exhaust manifolds with the gaskets and the other little stuff like install the distributor, wires, double check plug gap etc...... I was a little nervous about the cast iron color but I'm happy with it. It just looks a little gold to me, I wish it were more silver or grey but it looks good on the engine.
That is nice...The rest of the job shouldn't be too bad. I don't remember very many issues when we placed the BBB in my Apollo, but then again I still haven't tackled the header issue (and need to) and my memory may be a little sketchy as that was almost 15 years ago now. Good Luck!!!
pass side headers will work from a skylark good luck with the drivers side.i built my own set of headers for my 68 nova.the 2 center tubes wrap around the frame
It is kinda business like huh? lol I think I put the valve covers on backwards tho. Might have to switch them but i'll try it that way and see if I can get to the filler cap once its in. My wife's car is green so she didnt wanna go with buick red and look like a "christmas car" so I went with the black and die cast but I was hoping the die cast would be a little more greyish than gold but I think it will still look ok under the hood. As far as headers go, I think we might go to a rack and pinion set up down the line so hopefully the manifolds will do for now. I still gotta get my silver apollo running too so we'll see. Thanks for all of the help and compliments!
