I've got a 69 Lesabre with a 350. I just picked up a 69 Electra parts car with a 430. I assumed I could simply bolt the 430 in place, but now I'm wondering about the frames. From what I can see, looking at both fully assembled vehicles, the frame side of the mounts look like they're part of the frame (welded in place). Is the engine a bolt in, or does this require fabrication?
IF you compare the LeSabre & the Electra noses you will see the Electra is a few inches longer to add the needed space for the longer big block engine. I won't say it can't be done but I have not tried it myself. Tom T.
I thought they were the same.... the Wildcat got the 430 and it was basically, a LeSabre body, I thought.
So, the frame side is different then, from what my 350 uses? If so, this pretty well stops me in my tracks. I just got the 430 running tonight. The Electra runs better than my LeSabre. I was amazed at how well it started and restarted. It wasn't the process my LeSabre ends up being. I tried getting video, and will see If I can get it uploaded a bit later.
Measure both and compare them. In ‘67 and ‘68 the front clip is longer on the Electra and Wildcat than the LeSabre. I can’t remember about ‘69-‘70. Frame pads are a challenge; different frame lengths are a bigger problem. Patrick
It's come up before, but I can never remember the model years affected. I can speak for '67, LeSabre is short on the front by those three inches (or so). Not to say a big block can't be done, but it's going to require some crafting. Devon
And I always think about "why would they have done this? Why not some commonization?" Then I think about the early '60s into mid '60's. Super prosperous, and the more varied the better. LeSabre had to take a back seat to Wildcat and Electra. Pffft. I'm dumb about Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet...did they have a similar model that chopped three inches off the front? Devon
I looked up some infor on Team Buick https://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/69_chassis/files/00-a.php 69 was the last year for the LeSabre to be on a 123" and Wildcats to be on the 126" frame. in 70 they were both on the 123.2" frame. So in my thinking the 70 Wildcat 455 would be similar to what you are trying to do. No real experience here but seems like a go.
I would just find some 455 frame pads, weld them to the frame and use an electric fan if its too tight up front. Just bolt the frame pads to the engine, drop it in so it mates with trans and then mark where the pads go. Remove the engine and weld the pads in place. I’m sure you could bolt them as well, just more work likely.
I never got this posted last night. I do have some sort of cooling issue. Once the engine warmed up, It would periodically puke coolant out the radiator (cap was off), and the coolant was low enough that I didn't think that should be happening. When I put the cap on, it would collapse the upper hose. You may also notice that the RPM seems to hang a bit when I blip the throttle. Any advice is welcome.
I've got a thermostat on the way and I'll borrow the cap off the LeSabre to try and stop the coolant from overflowing on the Electra. I'm still unclear on the mounts..... is the concern simply a matter of room in the engine bay, or will the 350 frame pads not physically go together with the 430 engine mounts?
You must cut the 350 mounts off the LeSabre frame. Then cut the frame mounts off the electra frame and install on the lesabre frame. If you notice how low the height is of the Electra frame mount is, you cannot duplicate this with a later bolt in mount from any later B or A body. Your engine would set very high causing hood to engine clearance issues, and u joint angle issues. Later 71 and up B body is a easy 350 to 455 swap by changing bolt in frame mounts early pre 71 a PITA. But Buick did offer a lesabre 455 option in 70 used same weld in frame mounts as Electra and Wildcat. Lesabre and Wildcat are both 124 inch wheel base, Electra 126inch. Also front springs will need changed , trans crossmember will need moved back a few inches ( holes should be there. All 455 powered B body had the 12" aluminum brake drums and a 9 3/8 rear end. There will be some engine wiring harness differences as the turbo 400 had electric kick down turbo 350 has a cable operated.You have all the parts on the Electra for the change over. Check for a weak fan clutch that will make it get a little warm just sitting there running. I would run the Electra unless its rusted or wrecked lots of little details to make a changeover. Also you would need a drive shaft from a Wildcat.
Thank you for those details. This is sounding like a bigger project than what I can handle. I don't have shop space, and I don't weld. I already have a TH400, not a TH350. It just slips a bit, sometimes. I'd love to keep the Electra whole, but have not figured out how to do that.... it was partially and very very poorly chopped. Although, I haven't pulled wheels yet, I did notice the aluminum drums. I have no idea what shape the brakes are in yet. I have not had a chance to test functionality of the car besides running the engine. I've got to secure the torque convertor cover before I try moving the car. I think it's hanging by one bolt. In the video, it was propped up with a push broom.
in 69 it should bolt in as the 70 had the 455 option. i figured out the 68 back was longer but from everything i could tell on a 69 the front was the same. according to google a 69 wildcat is a 123 in wheelbase as well as the lesabre. as well as the 218 in length for both. 68 back it was differnt and i just learned that the other day since ive only had my hands on 69 up cars personally. if you have the electra its not a bad swap. you could prob cut the electra mounts out and put a plate on it then bolt it to the frame even lol. me i wouldnt swap the 9 3.8 rear. the 8.5 has way more options. other than welding the mounts you could bolt everything in.
Read Tom W’s reply. He has the most intimate knowledge of a 69 model year. I would take it to the bank.
I often forget that GM was a conglomeration of varied car makers, Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Buick and Cadillac. Wasn’t till the early 70’s that they started standardizing parts and such. I’m surprised each division still manufactured they’re own engines into the 80’s
