77' Estate Wagon GS

Hello folks. I know that such a thing was never made by the manufacturer, BUT I was contemplating the following possibility.

Right now I have a good running 69 Electra, with the 430, turbo 400 and a posi rear. Unfortunately the car has some serious rust deterioration and as I've noticed, the car does not have a lot of market appeal in such condition.

Recently I've found a 77 Estate wagon which has the Buick 350 and possibly the turbo 350 trans ( the owner said it is definitely not a 4 speed over drive based on the gear shift quadrant.) While the car currently runs okay according to the owner, I was thinking the Electra drive train would make for quite an impressive piece on the open road, and a nice grocery getter as well.

I know the engines look strikingly similar in design but I was hoping someone would know if they are indeed interchangeable without a lot of modifications, OR what modifications may be needed for just such a swap?

I don't have the Wagon home yet to play with but was wondering what I might need to pull something like this off?

Any and all help would be really appreciated.

John D

 

John,I think that it would work.I believe that the wagon and my car share many components.Mine came with sbb 350 TH-400 and bolt in axles 10 bolt(8.5) rear and 12" discs.I'm planning on installing a built 455 in the future.ElectraJim swapped a 455 in his '77 Deuce,he found that A body headers worked in there.I think that you will enjoy the wagon a lot:TU: .

 

John,

There's a sticky thread at the top of the "Regals" forum, and even though it's for Regals, the principles of late A-body/G-body engine swapping found in that thread should apply to the larger cars, as well.

Keep us updated! How close is Schenectady to, say, Buffalo or Niagara Falls, NY?

 

Poston headers hooked me up. 1 7/8 primary w 3 1/2" collectors.
Honestly, I'm not 100% sure what body the headers were for, but I think you are correct.
(It was a looong time ago)
It's scary for me buying stuff like that for my application that is untried.
"dare to be different"

Good luck to ya.

ElectraJim

 

Jim, did you have to bang them up much to get them to fit? Much clearance?

 

Na, not really. They "slightly clearanced themselves" on the passenger side on the frame. Only one tube, and very little.

No other mods required for fit. No cutting, hacking or welding.

ElectraJim

 

Thanks to all who replied on this thread. Glen, Schenectady is about 6 hours away from Niagra Falls. We used to live outside Rochester, in the Town of Ontario.

And Electra Jim, I hear ya that it was a long time ago. Frankly I won't be racing the car and I planned to just stick with the factory 430 exhaust manifolds. But do you remember what you had to do to get the 455 onto the 350's motor mounts? Also, the 77 doesn't have any computer to worry about, right?

John D

 

I did not use any of the mounting parts/hardware that the old motor used (403 olds in my case). I did use Poston's motor mount adaptors, and connected them to the 455 motor mounts, and set engine into the bay.
From there, I found some existing holes that were in the front crossmember, and made one or two that were needed. I kept the transmission in factory location, and used that as a guide.
As for a computer to worry about? No way Jose'. Not even an air pump on
the C-body that year. The closest thing to a computer is the HEI module, which I recommend you stay with.
None of this stuff was plug and play. It seemed like everything needed wiring mods, but it's a no brainer. Things like the starter, alternator, and distributor needed wire "relocation". They all switched sides.

ElectraJim

 

I was thinking of the same thing. I have two options for a recipient car. One, probably easier to deal with, but not free. I have my whole 73 Electra, which was wrecked and rusted out for the most part. But, the 455/400 are still in great shape, and it already has TA Performance chrome headers, and some other mods.
I have my dads 91 Roadmaster Estate wagon, which is decent body and inside, needs a bit of rust repair, but its been in the family a long time, so I know what Im dealing with. The 700r4 trans is shot, and the 305 has almost 200k on it. I did a ton of the work on this car myself, so I know what Im dealing with. But, best of all, its free. Other option is I believe along the lines of a 81 or so Estate Wagon down the road. They want too much for it, but cash might talk if I really wanted it. Its been around along time. The car is in much better shape overall, at least what I can see of the inside and the body. No idea of any of the small stuff was kept up or not. So I hate to get into a car like that where you don't know what lurks behind the curtain.
I keep the Electra around, hoping to find something. The 91 Wagon has been sitting awhile too. So far our neighbors haven't complained..lol. I've even debated on putting it in an early 2wd chevy/gmc truck. I think that would be great to have to haul stuff with, and take my Regal to the track with.

 

Hi ho Silver... Sorry, I couldnt resist. Anyway that's why I went back to 77. I limited my search for a 77-79 because I had a Buick Lesabre wagon once with the Buick 350 and I always thought it would be easy to stuff the 430 in there. Unfortunately I let the car go.

The Buick 350 has all the wiring and stuff in the right place for the 430-455, and the big questions are will the engine fit on the 350 motor mounts or do they have to be moved? And how will the 430 from 69 act pushing exhaust thourgh a pair of cat converters? With no computer in the 77-9 you don't have to deal with any of that sensor stuff plus I see you are in NY too, which means if you change the engine on that 91, you are going to have a devil of a time dealing with the emissions that the 73 motor does not have provisions for.

JD

 

As for emissions, a sensible cam and carb, proper tune up, and fresh 3 way catalytic converters should meet 77-79 standards. Been there, done that.
I seriously don't think it makes ANY difference what your engine size is.
300,305,350,400,430,455,462.

If someone has some data or first hand experience to correct this, please share it with me.

If you have visual requirements, make it look stock. It's not that hard.

As for 91 standards, you might have trouble meeting them. I don't know how clean the car has to blow. That's a 14 year difference which I'm certain minimum emission requirements are harder to meet than in the groovy 70's.

ElectraJim