Finally starting the 455 swap

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by usetaboost, May 24, 2015.

  1. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Pulled the v6 out last week and got the engine bay half assed cleaned up. Yesterday I spent all day pissing with those damn mounts. After about 3 hours I had to walk away. Came back to the garage and got all the bolts in within an hour lol! Only thing that is together is the longblock for now. I got the manifolds cleaned up the best I could and those will be going in with the engine when I drop it in for the final time. Just to test fit to make sure everything is going to bolt up I'm going to drop it in without them and bolt up the trans and see what I got. I did find the motor mount and starter heat shields for the passenger side. I am curious about the starter wire routing. Can that stay the same as it was with the v6 or does it have to go through the original 455 bracket?
     
  2. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    I'd post some pics but nothing wants to load and the site won't let me copy pics from fb.
     
  3. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    I'm sure you could do it either way but, I ran my wires through the 455 bracket. Keeps things neater that way. :) BTW, the Monte SS rear is just as weak as any other 7.5. Not worth the trouble imho. On the bright side, my 7.5 has lasted 7 years so far. Probably because the the car has traction issues. LOL. If it ever hooked, I'm sure I'd snap it. One other thing, If you still have the V6, You can use the oil pump cover from it on the 455. It has the filter on a different angle than the 455 unit so the filter wont hit the frame. Just use a longer filter. AC# PF52.
     
  4. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    I got the motor sat down and bolts in. Only took all freaking day! Just gotta tighten some bolts and its good to go. For filter I'm just using the 75-76 skylark filter. Man, talk about a tight fit on the passenger side. I had rags laying over the valve cover so it didn't get scratched and even after I got everything dropped in I still couldn't get it out so I just ripped it. Hope I never have to pull it. Probably gonna take a break from it tomorrow and relax. I'll check on those wires and see how they lay. I kept everything from the 455 and v6. Most of the 455 stuff I'm not using like accessories and other stuff unless I need to.
     
  5. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    I'm just gonna go with the Monte rear since I'm not gonna be racing it.
     
  6. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    Gotcha. :laugh:
     
  7. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Gonna order a delco stage 1 fuel pump. Should be enough I would think. Now, since I'm using the v6 accessories do I go with the short or long water pump? I would think the short one, right?
     
  8. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    Use the long pump. I used the V6 crank pulley and had to shim the water pump pulley and alternator/air conditioning bracket about 1/4 inch for proper belt alignment. Not sure if you have to with a 455 crank pulley.
     
  9. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    I have a 7.5 with an after market carrier and 373 richmond gears. i ran it with my bbb and drag radials and never managed to break it. granted the car only ran mid 13's. good luck with your build.:TU: just make sure your patience level is high whenever working on it.:rant:
     
  10. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    Excellent point. Be patient, The BBB and Cadillac are the only two engines never installed in a 78-87 G body from the factory and can require a bit of creativity to install properly.
     
  11. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

  12. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Well here I am trying to install the accessory bracket, ac compressor, and alternator. Some how magically all the bolts I took out of the compressor don't seem to fit anywhere I try to put them. WTF HERE WE GO! I've been trying to find an exploded view of the compressor, brackets, and bolt sizes for the last 2 hours but no luck. It's bad enough trying to force that honker in place while fighting the lines the entire time. Can anyone draw me a picture with crayons so I understand it?
     
  13. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    S5032202.jpg

    I'll try. LOL!

    At 12 o'clock long bolt with spacer between ac and bracket and steel bracket in front of ac going to alternator. 3 o'clock long bolt with steel bracket in front of ac. 6 o'clock long bolt with steel bracket in front of ac going through oblong hole in the aluminum bracket ar rear of ac. Below 6 o'clock short bolt connecting steel bracket to aluminum bracket. 9 o'clock long bolt steel adjustment bracket in front of ac.

    Good luck. :laugh:
     
  14. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    nevermind.....

    here

    851216MG09-011.jpg
     
  15. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Another thing that I've been meaning to ask, is there any vehicle matches for the a/c lines or do they need to be custom made?
     
  16. Ttype455

    Ttype455 Well-Known Member

    When I built mine, I just had them shortened. Was eezy peezy
     
  17. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

    I used the V6 hose, shortened the line to the condenser.
     
  18. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Got the stage 1 fuel pump and new water pump will be here tomorrow. Haven't worked on the car much this week. Will be hitting it hard Friday.
     
  19. RegalBegal86

    RegalBegal86 Active Member

  20. usetaboost

    usetaboost Well-Known Member

    Got the water pump bolted up today along with the thermostat housing and 180 t stat. Using the v6 stuff to try to keep everything the same and the crank and water pump pulleys don't match up quite right. Dropped the distributor in just to get an idea for hose clearance when I get to that point. Went to bolt the fuel pump on and the f'kin inside hole is stripped. Goobed up some thread sealer on it and put it in finger tight and hope for the best. Just need it to make it through break in and I can tear the cover off this winter and put a heli coil in or tap for the next size bolt and drill the pump out. Grabbed a new rubber fuel hose. Can't figure out the fuel line for some reason just doesn't seem to match up. Don't know if it's because of the stage 1 fuel pump being slightly different or what it is.
     

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