The T56, because of it's 5 and 6th gear overdrives, has the capability to still have nice low engine RPMs on the highway even with 4.10 or 4.56 gears. The downside to those low gears is that the driveshaft has to spin pretty fast, expecially once you start going fast. In a long car with a long driveshaft, it's very easy to reach the "critical speed" of the shaft, the point where it is spinning so fast that it will fail. Aluminum shafts are lighter, and thus have a higher critical speed. For example, in a late LT1 Caprice with 4.10 gears, the critical speed of the stock steel driveshaft is only 110 MPH. Add a larger diameter aluminum(lighter) driveshaft and the critical speed goes up.
Geez, I guess I was right, some people have a problem with what I'm thinking about doing to my car. Well your opinions are appreciated and I, for the most part, like the old school being almost 58 years young, although, bubble fender skirts don't do much for me anymore. They did of course in 1955, but then so did Wonder Bread. LOL. Anyway....just for the record: My '50 Buick weights 3,700 pounds. Last year I was replied to by more that one person on this board telling me that I should build the four door. There are tons of nice cars in the pages of Street Rodder, etc. that have four doors. Hmmm, this must be something like personal preference. By the way, the straight 8 weights 850 Pounds. So, if I remember my math, the basic car is 2,850 without that boat anchor up front. And, I don't care how many carbs I put on it, it ain't going much faster than it does now. I hate the idea of small block 350's that everyone has and that you can buy all day long for $2,000. (I also love torque moster nailheads and 455's). Ok, an LS6 has the same cubes but it's not anywhere near the same otherwise. And by the way, it weighs 450 pounds complete, can crank 7,000 RPM stock, and can **** gas through a four barrel controlled by nothing more than a distributor, just like the good ole days if you're so inclined, and with over 400 pounds of TQ. Oh and if I was to be so bold as to install this motor, my car would now weight 3,250. I'm not sure, but it seems to me that you could actually even change the suspension so that car would even handle better. Imagine that. I know, maybe I should just paint the wheels red; get some wide whitewalls; pick up a camaro front clip; paint it grey primer; let the tail pipes stick out 12 inches past the rear bumper; and hang some fuzzy dice from the rear view mirror. Wow, gee, I could be really unique tehn. At least that way I wouldn't piss off anyone on the internet!!! Is that what this board is all about?????????? Ok, so I'm kidding for the most part. But, ya know what. Why do people get so cranky when you're trying NOT to be like everyone else. Don't get me wrong, I hate the idea of modern seats with heads rests; tilt steering wheels; digital guages; automatic ******'s; etc, etc. I also hate the fact that Old School really means only one way, and it always seems to be someone else's way. My car is 56 years old. Seems pretty old school to me no matter what's underneath. She has beautiful lines. I plan to keep it that way, just a little lower to the ground. The only difference for me is that I'd like it to look stock, handle better, and melt the tires when I kick it. I could give a rats **** about time slips. I have a drawer full now. And, unless you're running below 10's it's no fun anyway! Sorry I got some of you so pissed. I'll try to remember in future posts that I should only ask questions about how long my lake pipes should be!! LOL Gary
PS: Thanks to those of you (Charlie, Scotch, etc) that have given me advice. It'is been REALLY, REALLY appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gary
PSS: I'm sorry if I offended anyone whose into Bubble Fender skirts. Just my own opinion. I know they are mandatory on an ole Merc. I wouldn't have it any other way if I actually owned one! Gary
Looks like your is pretty cool. I love mine. I've been unjustly influenced in the past thinking that only 2 doors will do. More pics would be great. Thanks! Gary
Gary, No need to spew the stat list of a Buick to me - I am savvy. The Straight * is a tough one to want to keep. I see all of the good reasons to go with a V8, don't get me wrong. I just have a huge problem with the SBC being the way that everyone goes to... Oldsmobile V8s weigh almost the same as a Chevy small block and have tins more torque, Buick made some KILLER nailheads that would look right at home and make at least what that Chevy has for power, Pontiac made some bad *** power AND torque - and I just love Pontiacs anyways so I would never turn one down. And Bendtsen's makes adaptors for all of these motors so the ****** deal is a non issue. It sounds like you are set to go with this set-up - and I see the attraction, but if you look back at any of my posts, historically speaking I am unwavering on this point - that is, I rather see anything than a SBC..... It is your car though. I am still going to send hate mail to Scotch.... JJ
Where it might not be my place to chime in here, I'm gonna anyway, as usual. If you really dig the HP of the newer engines, cool man. Run with it! But sell the Buick to someone who will fix up the straight eight and go haulin' down the highway with it all tilting on the curves and such. Take your new motor and put it in something newer. Don't ruin another old car that someone could turn into a work of art, or better yet, a daily driver. They're getting rare you know. And not to cast stones at any of you, but this post comes up all the time here on the HAMB. The truth is, the HAMB's for traditional rods and customs. I can't think of anything traditional about screwing up a cool old ride by shoving a new powerplant in it. Fast? You bet. Gay? Absoulutly. Good luck.
ah, but the LS6 is a Gen IV SBC, it doesn't share a single part with a "standard" SBC, and deifinatly doesn't look like one. An LSx would make a great driver, even on busy freeways not to mention all the power while still having reasonable fuel economy(25 MPG would be easily achievable). Besides, a good custom should NEVER have it's hood open anyway...
True Bugman, the LS doesn't share anything with the other small blocks, and I haven't seen one in an old car that doesn't just scream "Street Rod"....but let's not get that fight started..... I say put the motor in something else....'course I'm a ****head. I can't tell you haw many times I see a car and get all excited about it - then see that it's running a SBC and it deflates my balloon and I just walk to the next car.
Broman, we both agree that the Straight 8 would be a much cooler choice, and like you, I've walked past thousands of "cookie cotter" SBC rods and customs. Even the LSx cars usually get a glance and walk past. But I've seen two LSx rods that looked really really cool. Not street roddy at all, just functional performance. I'll see if i can find a pic or two(but don't hold your breath. Actually, hold your breath. It'll help with the insomnia )
Bugman, Broman, S**** --- I agree with you. I think I want to put this thread to bed. I just wanted some advice on the angle the engine should sit when fabbing mounts. Actually I love old school for the most part and hate seeing the same cookie cutter street rods with SBC's like everyone else. I love the '50 Buick especially (fastbacks, jetbacks, torpedo backs, whatever you want to call them) and really don't want to see it "cookie cuttered" either. My 50 is a daily driver. But, I do like adding some modern to old school. To each his own. Sorry if I gave any of you an upset stomach! Gary
You guys crack me up! First of all, if there's anything I can do to help get another early Buick on the road, especially a '50, I will do it. Secondly, not everyone can, or will have the desire to, keep the S-8. It's not easy, it's hard. It's not cheap, it's expensive. It's not mainstream...it's a Straight 8! I'm doing mine for all the above reasons. It's absolutely impractical, beautiful, expensive, and it belongs there, in my opinion. But, that's just my opinion. Anything to get another '50 Buick on the road...that's key. When it comes to T-56 swaps, no one I've met knows more than Tyler at ATS. He's done more of them into a wider range of vehicles than anyone else I've even heard of. Plus, he's just a really cool guy who loves working with cool people and really likes a challenge. He knows what T-56s want, and he is determined to make swaps work. He worked with me on swapping one into my '67 Chevelle wagon and it's flawless. I'd recommend him, his company, and any of their products. Great people, great parts. Broman - Y'know we're Bro's. Even if you got hit in the head with a blunt instrument and wanted to swap a Toyota Hemi into your Buick, I'd help ya do it. I'd pick on you ruthlessly, but I would help you. I'm THAT kind of ***hole...and I'd expect the same from you...heh heh!! By the way - you're just down the road now (I-35) so I expect to see you for BTT 50's next year. Gary - If there's anything else I can help ya with, just ask. ~Scotch~
50 Buicks are cool. However, a new plastic motor in one isn't, at least here anyway.... The HAMB: .....spread the gospel of traditional Hot Rods and Kustoms to hoodlums worldwide...
Thanks Scotch. I've learned my lesson. I'll keep my avant garde thoughts to myself. Acutally, I want to do something with my 8 as well. I may just buy another '50. By the way, I haven't looked in manuals yet but I'm of the opinion that the frame for all '50 Specials is the same. Do you know this to be true? There are always a few 50's on eBay that are the basic four door tourback models. I'm partial to the jetbacks, but I was hoping to pick one up for the frame. Thanks!
In a 50 Buick? LOL! My high school car was a 50... '70 Stage 1 455... Still couldn't get out of it's own way! Sure would sit in place and smoke 'em till they popped though.
The only frames that were different were the Roadmasters - longer wheelbase on those. Otherwise they should all be the same. (opposing viewpoints welcomed - I haven't researched this completely) ~Scotch~
Kinda looks like a helicopter motor but you should see the look on some gold-chainers face when this old turd blows the doors off his brandy-new GT Mustang.
Again, I really like your ride. Any more pics? How did you mount the motor? More details...please...thanks! Gary
I used 2000 Corvette mounts, they are oil-filled bisquit-looking things sitting on flat pads that I welded to the rear side of the front crossmember. In case you don't recognize the frame, it's a Fatman frame so the front crossmember is more than stout enough. I have some other images taken during the build but I'll have to look around a bit. This thing was 6 years "in the works" before it hit the pavement and since then I have 10,000 miles on it.
The Jalopy Journal
