Hello my name is Nicholas and I am in the beginning stages of swapping out the original 215 c.i. V8 from my '62 Skylark for a '72 Buick 455 V8. I am up for suggestions or enlightenment from anyone that has experience putting big power into the Y-body platform.Check out my photo album for updated pictures through out the process. Thanks!
Ambitious project! I like it I drove one in H.S. they need more power. Let us know how it goes, More pics! My Dad put a 215 in a toyota with a muncie 4speed.
Welcome. I am in the process of a 455 swap in my 64 Lesabre. I don't know the differences between the y body and g bodies, but I am guessing you don't have a lot of room!!!!
Have you considered a Buick GN 3.8L V6 swap? If Wikipedia is to be believed, the Y platform was shared with the Corvair, so if you're hellbent on using the 455 maybe an Art Morrison-type ch***is is needed to handle that much torque, as it seems unlikely the stock unibody is up to it. Or, if you don't care about handling, just channel that puppy over a '50s GM truck frame with a shortened wheelbase and call it a g***er. -Dave
I do plan on fabricating subframe connectors while using ladder bars. Notice the set up on this '63 Pontiac Tempest that is also Y-body. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0711_1963_pontiac_tempest_lemans/specifications.html
great project, vey light cars, will be lots of fun... i have a 61 olds f85 (that is for sale), a back burner project...if it still here when i get to, it will get a bb olds in it... keep us posted on progress...
so whats your thinking on motor mounts?...i was thinking along hurst or marine style front mount for olds application, dont know if it would work w/buick motor... somebody on here had a f85 with sbc/4peed, cant remember who it was...maybe they'll chime in with some input..
Actually I have been searching for ideas on motor mounts. I was thinking of welding some A style brackets on the cross member that would fit the stock mounts on the engine block, but I am up for suggestions! That '63 Tempest in Car Craft used some type of front mount bracket. If you have any references for using those brackets please post them.
is there any place on the front of buick block to mount a motor plate or individual mounts off the front of the block?...use plate on rear...
The 215 shares motormount spacing with the 231 (3.8 liter) Buick v6. I'm pretty sure that Poston Enterprises sells mounts that allow the 455 to bolt where a 231 was. It stands to reason then that the engine would literally be a bolt in as far as the mounts. Steering interference may be an issue. The Buick and Olds cars are rearsteer and I don't think you'll get the clearance you'll need. Another option may be to convert to front steer like the 61-63 pontiac tempest cars or maybe flip the control arms around and run a front steer box. Exhaust manifold clearance will be tight since the 455 is a little wider. I spoke to the guy that built that 63 Pontiac from Hot Rod. He said the stiffening added a bunch of weight but was effective. Be prepared for major transmission tunnel reconfiguration since these 215's used tiny transmissions behind them and they ran two piece driveshafts that allowed them to lower the floor even more.
You may find someone who has already done this swap (and solved some of the issues) over at V8BUICK.COM. Good luck, look forward to seeing it!
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