First let me say that the engine in this car is a 364 that's not the original 401 and it's frozen....I know what I want, I want to put that 1970 455 SF I got in my 1961 invicta, It looks like there's no kits or headers for the swap, anyone here lived thru this kind of swap?...I looked at 61 chevy conversion to big block stuff and see that the cars are not the same under the hood (are the frames?) but there is headers available for them, I also want a 4 spd auto non electric trans whats the best choice for that?....the boys at team buick.com seem to be clueless...but I know you guys'll know something.....gimme some imput....After checking out steves 60 I think the first step is to go buy a 24 pack and start drink'in...lol!
200R on the trans. Shorty headers from www.TAPerformance.com. You can also get engine mounts from from TA. If you look at tests shorties make the same power as long tube on street cars using mufflers.
Hey Cliff, I wish i could offer you something other than encouragement. I'd suggest looking at another full size late 60s big block Buick next to yours and do a bit of measuring. I have a feeling it's pretty easy swap. The A body frame mounts offered by TA are cheap and very universal to use. Big blocks use a few different types of accessory drive over the years. Look at some pics here on the board to get a feel for the right ones for the job. The way the oil filter sticks out on the right side is sometimes a problem in swaps. The starter is on the opposite form a nailhead. I think the radiator outlets are on different sides too. I bet the exhaust manifolds will work OK. They tuck in nice for most chassis. The 200 4R is the tranny to use. Cheap and plentiful, built right by one of the vendors on board, she'll hold up just fine behind the 455. All 200s have the correct bellhousing pattern for the 455 too. Good luck with project! Do it!! Steve weim55 Colorado
Thanks for the help, The 455 is actually setting in a 68 rusty gs 400 vert I have listed for sale in the classified section "with out motor" but the frame is at least 2 inches narrower on the invicta than skylark, (I've considered stubbing it with the extra skylark disc brake front section I have)....from the pics I've seen on the net compared to a 61 chevy the buick steering box is behind the wheels ,chevy forward so theres zero room and the headers seem to go over the frame and exit through the wheel houses (x-frame car) no great bottom pics and Chevys different on the wheel houses too....the header list on ta site does'nt cover 61/64 invictas/lesaber....although there is a listing for 409 in 59/61chevys elsewhere....maybe I can buy buick flanges and swap them to chevy headers?....I guess if it were easy everbody would do it, although there was one on ebay the guy put a 502 chevy motor in and it looked like the stock frame from what little I could see in pics. I'll post some pics gray car is 502 chevy, blue is nice example too but with 364...feel free to chime in here...A little thought will go a long way with this one...thanks, cliff
Hi Steve, Just read your 60 post...cool man! a bud of mine had a perfect plain 60 2dr back in the late 70's, black, auto, 364 all original, way cool then but some how I'm sure nothing good came of that one in the end...my 61 bubble top needs way more work!....cliff
OK Cliff: Here's my suggestion.......If you are going to do a total number on this car a BBB is a viable ticket, but if you are not, find a Nailhead out of a 61, 62 or 63 Electra, Invicta or Lesabre. It is an easy (I say easy but I would sure to mess up that job) R&R, the engine is cheap and there wouldn't be many surprises. Good luck on your project. Mitch
Hi Mitch, well that has occurred to me too, except I already own the 455, and it may not be all that hard, thus this dissusion thread, and it would just plain be cool to use a bbb, unlike the 502 guy who also stuffed an eldorado interior in his(yuk)....as you can see my car needs all sorts of work and it will be apart big time as well so they'll be time for adjustments in vehical and or additude....thanks, cliff
