Hi, I have a stock rebuilt '71 buick 350-2 from a skylark that I could never get the title for(shame, I love the car) I want to put this engine into a '51 chevy 4-door six-cylinder(did I say chevy?). I know the car is not a buick, but it would be buick powered. Anyone out there know how to do the swap (keeping frame), what parts/mods needed, or links to info. I found kits to put chevy v8's in, but I want to use the buick. also, anybody know how I can use the '71 skylark disc brake setup on this old car? I may just use every salvagable part from this skylark and adapt it to my '51. (engine, electrical, brakes, rear, etc.) please help, I want to make this an everyday driver!
You may find it is easier to put the Chev body on the Skylark frame than change the individual pieces. The Chev has a torque tube and mounting the rear end will require quite a bit of modification.
51 chevy transplant The change over is not as bad as it seems. Unlike Buick and some Olds'es, the Chevy has leaf springs in the rear. This means you do not need to fabricate locating components such as ladder bars/four link, corresponding crosmember etc... Rear axle locators/spring pads are available at most decent speed shops or mail order. However, the early chevy rear springs have there locating pin about an inch forward of the axle centerline. You could either redrill the holes in the axle pads or order new springs for such application (you will still need to weld the new pads on your rear.) I purchased rear springs for the 54 chevy through "Posie's". They are a nice set of new springs designed for open drive conversions and lower the car about 1-1 1/2 inches. There is also a copany (R.B. 's Obsolete Parts?) that sells a transmission cross member for th350s. You may need to trim the firewall supports to clear the rear of the heads and make sure you have room for exhaust to clear the steering gear. It is not the worst conversion to attempt and should make a cool, different reliable cruiser when you are done.
