Socal Buick Owner Hello

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by theroundbug, Oct 2, 2020.

  1. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    Hi everyone, new user here. I'm the owner of a gorgeous (to me) 1975 Buick Century Special with the triangle rear windows. Not sure if this is the right place to ask..but..

    It has the 231 V6 and I am ready to swap in the 350 or 455 but they are hard to come by. Any advice on finding one? I have scoured ebay, offerup, craigslist etc and only found complete cars. I'd even be alright buying a built crate engine but it would need all the accessories. Maybe someone on here has one?

     
  2. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Welcome aboard. There should be someone out your way with engines available. I have cores, but I'm on the east coast.
    Fred
     
  3. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

    Welcome aboard! There's gotta be some on the west coast. We have some knowledgeable members out that way, maybe one will chime in.
     
  4. BYoung

    BYoung Stage me

  5. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Welcome!
     
  6. Dalton69Skylark

    Dalton69Skylark Well-Known Member

    You missed mine by about a week. I have a Buick 350 in SoCal. It's supposed to sell this coming Saturday. I'll check back with you if it falls through.
     
  7. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

  8. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    Awesome thank you!
     
  9. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

  10. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    You can, they are long block crate engines without timing cover, balancer, intake, carb, fan etc. I could in theory buy one of those and a pulled 350 for parts to make a complete assembly.

    I have also learned to be completely "legal" in CA whatever I put in must have emissions equipment from at least 1975 on it, if inspected.
     
  11. Dalton69Skylark

    Dalton69Skylark Well-Known Member

    Mine was built from a Kragen Auto Parts ordered long block back in 1999. Dropped into a '69 Skylark. I'm in CA. I believe they can still be purchased. Like I said though, mine may or may not sell this Saturday. Let me know if you have interest it'd be half the cost for a complete engine.
     
  12. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    Here is someone selling 350 and 455 Buick engine parts in West LA:

    BUICK 350-455 ENGINE PARTS - $10 (WEST LA)


    Buick 350-400-425-455 engine parts.
    Intake manifold complete $425.00 Front cover complete. $315.00
    2 Elect dist $85 & $60 and a lot lot more.
    $10-1500.00 for every thing buick OBO.
    Call on any day
    before 9:00 PM

    https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/d/buick-engine-parts/7191914893.html
     
  13. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    I see now:

    ATK Engines Remanufactured Crate Engine for 1968-1971 Buick Models with 350ci Buick V8
    Part Number: 059-DB23
    [​IMG]
    ★★★★★ No rating value ★★★★★


    [​IMG]

    Product Q&A
    View Now
    Click image to zoom
    [​IMG]
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    $2,091.99
    Core Charge: $385.00

    https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/DB23/10002/-1
     
  14. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Maybe carhex aka Hector might have something
     
    Nailhead in a 1967 likes this.
  15. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    That's a good tip, here is Hector's profile page:

    http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?members/carhex1.19133/

    Home Members > CARHEX1 >
    [​IMG]
    Last Activity:
    Saturday at 5:05 PM
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2007
    Messages:
    Home Page:
    https://www.facebook.com/carhex1
    Location:
    la puente Ca
    Occupation:
    used parts locator at carhex
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    CARHEX1
    CARHEX1, from la puente Ca


    About
    Home Page:
    https://www.facebook.com/carhex1
    Location:
    la puente Ca
    Occupation:
    used parts locator at carhex
    Your Buicks:
    70 gs455 71 skylark convertible 70 chevelle 73 c10
    I own Carhex a small used parts business. I sell used parts for a living

    finding rare cars and parts hunting fishing and spending time with the family
     
  16. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the tips, I'll explore all of them. I really would like to avoid having to rebuild an engine upon delivery before it can even be put in the car. At the same time, I'm not expecting a turnkey motor for $400. I'm willing to pay what it's worth.

    I'm not even sure the odd-fire can be turbo'd. In any case, gross lol. I've already explored having the engine rebuilt and it's more expensive than sourcing a 350 or 455. If it even can be that is. I've had several well known rebuilders turn me away because they can't locate internal parts anymore for it. The odd-fire 231 was only built from 75-77 and block/head parts are not very interchangeable with the 225 dauntless (it's predecessor) or post-77 even fire v6's
     
    6769RIV likes this.
  17. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    I found a 1971 350 out of a Riviera for a decent price. Is that a good year? I can't find any information on it. I don't even see that the Riviera came with a 350....yet the casting number matches up with '71 350. It's 1231447
     
  18. Nailhead in a 1967

    Nailhead in a 1967 Kell-Mnown Wember

    Sounds familiar...
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2020
  19. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    Yes it appears to be the same seller. I found it on Offerup. The craigslist post does not exist.

    Rivieras did get the 350 in 1977. I also see an egr on that one, I don't think 71 350s had an egr, they appeared in '72 I think?

    When I look up this motor on rockauto there are almost NO parts available for it. and the casting number has almost no information. Maybe it's some bastardized 350? Not encouraging lol
     
  20. theroundbug

    theroundbug Well-Known Member

    Do Oldsmobile v8's share the same components of Buicks? The main purpose I'm limiting myself to Buick is the swap is bolt-in very easy replacement. If my mechanic has to fabricate anything or do extra work to retro-fit a different system it wil go from very affordable to "custom" price quote really fast

    Edit: The rarity of running pulled engines and the cost of any other option is making me start o think the most economical choice would be to keep mine original, sell it, and buy someone else's v8 equipped car :confused:
     

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