So, I have a 52 buick roadmaster on a stretched 78 regal ch***is I am putting together. I picked up a 455 buick and th400 trans which appear to be in pretty good shape and was going to use it. I can get bolt on motor mounts to put it in the 78 frame. I just picked up a 51 roadmaster parts car with the straight 8 that ran when it was parked. If I can get this running, which would you guys use?
How much money are you wanting to put into it? What are your goals? I think the straight 8 would be cool, as not too many people have them. I don't know a thing about them, but it sure would be cool......
Sounds like you are well on your way to using the 455. To use the straight eight, You will need to convert the ****** to open drive or adapt another ****** to it...or put the 51 rear on the Regal Suspension. At least, that's how it looks from here. What do you want to do? It's your car.
I usually pull for the I8. Especially when the alternative is a SBC. In this case I can at least bite my tongue a little because it's going to be a Buick either way....but I still like the I8. My 2 pennies.
I had a '50 Sedanette with a 455. You won't be disapointed. Tons of torque to move that big old buford around, even in stock form. FYI, I drove the '50 with the I8 for a while and was glad I swapped.
I didn't consider the rear end needing to be swapped. Maybe I will pedal it once I get it running. Plus I can still get everything I need for the 455 at my local parts place.
Both are winner's. I drive a Booick 4-55 e'vr day. If you use the straight-8, slide the 455 ina truck and really haul sheep.
1. Make cool go fast. or 2. Make fast be cool. Which fits your total build, mentality and wallet better?
It doesn't make sense to me to go to all the work to run the late ch***is and the early motor, when you could have kept the stock ch***is and bolted it in there, and the 455 is basically a bolt in to the new frame. If you're going to run an I8 the '51-'52 320 is the one to go with, since they have insert bearings and some of them come with a 4-bbl intake - but that also makes the engine desirable to a guy with an older Buick who wants to run the eight, too. The intakes are prone to cracks, so check it carefully.
my wife's 49 super had a 248 c.i. straight eight w/dynaflow trans. i wanted to keep the straight eight. it would run 85 mph on the interstate, but would get you killed trying to cross the street. it was as slow as a snail on takeoff, so adding air and power steering for her was out of the question. we put a 455/400th combo in there and now we have enough torque to pull a shopping mall. go with the 455 if you plan to drive a lots, you'll be glad you did. dan
I just put a Buick 455/TH400, 9"rear into my 1933 Buick,... one of the easiest swaps I have ever done ,( but the 33 Buick is huge ),.. Engine looks like it came there from the factory, ( The stock, drop out trans mount actually bolted right to the TH400 mount, in the perfect location ! I didn't touch the floorboards either !)
I bought the car already fitted on the 78 ch***is, one of the other problems is how far the engine sits from the firewall.
Go with the 455 you wont be dissapointed, also there is a good selection of speed items out there for this motor, try TA performance they seem to be one of the buick spe******ts out there.
Look for a second set of mounting holes more forward on the block. My '73 motor had those and positioned the engine nicely in my '50.
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