Putting SB chevy into a '55 Buick.. done this?

Anybody put a SB Chevy into a '55 Buick? Looking for best motor mount kit.. even pics of your process would be helpful.

thanks in advance.!

 

Never done it, never seen it done. First question is why?

It would be a problem getting power to the rear wheels, you'd either have match a SBC compatible transmission to the Buick torque tube or convert the Buick rear to open drive shaft; neither one is easy.

 

Run a buick tailshaft on an olds hydro with a GM V-8 p/u bellhousing, the olds hydro/buick tailshaft takes some machining, but tommy ivo did it back in the 60's and there is an artical in car craft from the 60's

 

The only way it will work is if you swap a nailhead for the sbc.

 

HAH!!!!!!!!
Prior to the nailhead option, I was thinking that this sounded like a lotta work for a simple motor swap!

 

But he could still run the olds hydro set up like i said behind a nailhead with an adaper bell, after all, i was talking about tommy ivo

 

I am doing all this.. please let's not go there...

 

Well you guys sure know how to take a post in the wrong direction... probably my fault.

FOR Clarification.. YES, I'm swapping out EVERYTHING. I just wanted to see somebody elses transformation. Ugh.

And for those that ask why... Ohh gee, I dunno.. reliability, availability of parts, etc., etc.... You ever price a rebuild kit for a nailhead? I could buy a crate motor for what it cost in parts..

My motor is SB Chevy, ****** TH350 and rearend is a '65 wildcat w/ 3.07 gears for highway cruising.

Yes.. all open driveline.

For the guy that says he's never seen it done... You're not looking very hard. There are tons of '55 Buicks out there with Chevy running gear.....

 

Could somebody just answer the guy's ****ing question instead of getting into all the lame drama about putting a SBC in a Buick?

Listen, I've never done it, so take my advice for what it's worth. I've seen the 55-57 Chevy front mounts and rubber biscuits used when dropping a SBC into a mid 50s Olds. They may be a good option for you if you have a front crossmember to work with.

 

Kit, what Kit? I'm always sort of baffled regarding people wanting a "kit" to put motor "B" into car "A". Just pull the doghouse, dangle whatever you want to put in the hole in, level it up, and make some cardboard patterns for the mounts. In the time you waste posting this message, you could have gotten the mounts made. Just do it. The rubber donut mounts are the easyist to make, IMHO.

Brian

 

Sounds like you already know the answers to your question....Here's how I did it. The easiest, most foolproof way...

I sold this car....



And bought this one...



As for yours, chevy truck trailing arms or a ladder bar style seems to be the easiest way to locate the rear end, the rest should be fabricating mounts.... I would start with a universal type side mount kit, and modify it to suit the buick frame. The 55-57 front mounts may work a little easier, but the side mounts seem to take some of the pressure off of the trans. crossmember.

 

I would just remove all the old and start reinstalling the new, making mounts as I went. My opinion if it matters which it probally doesn't, would be to put a 455 buick/turbo 400 in it. Friend did it and it was a nice ride. The 455 had plenty of power to push that size of car and it was still all buick which I liked. Picked up the donor car with perfect running gear for 250.00. Torque is what moves bigger cars on a daily basis reliably.

 

Sweet, however I'd like to finish the Buick first.. ha! Yes, that would be easier.

I think I've found a nice and easy front mount setup for the motor, the TH350 won't be hard.. the rear end.. I'll have to fabricate a few things but no biggie.

For those suggesting other engines.. I've already got the SB Chevy.. I'm going with the sb Chevy. The front end is going to remain stock, not replacing the front clip, but may convert to discs up front later.

Can't wait for the flippin' weekend so I can make some progress!!!

 

Universal motor mount kits can sometimes make life so much easier. I'm all for anything that helps me get done sooner! Is that wrong? Nay, I think not.. Yes, I could make 'em, but I'd much rather just have something I only have to do a LITTLE work too... I've got enough on my plate already and I wanna make sure I can get this on the road this year.

 

speedway has alot of mount options for sbc that i noticed.may get you started.if you have to fab some they arnt too hard to do.just measure alot.wich youll have to do anyway.i just stuck a peice of steel running across the x-frame for a trans mount.this is what the front looks like.i used a 455 olds in a 56 olds but i think the front ends are simular.
eric

 

Sweet! Thank you.. see.. that's what I was asking for! You did a nice job.. clean and basic... thanks!

 

call opies...he'll build you any mount you want.

 

http://www.ch***isengineeringinc.com/

I did it with a 53 Buick. Swapped the rear end for a junk-yard 92 Buick rear end.

Ch***is Engineering Inc has a really nice u-weld-it kit......

Good luck!

 

A '92 wasn't front wheel drive? Wow.. I'm surprised and impressed.

I'll check ch***is engin. .... thx/.

 

+1 Ch***is engineering has awesome stuff

 

I used the Comp Engineering Ladder bar kit with a panhard bar. I welded spring perches to the top of the axle to reuse the original springs. As far as shocks they are mounted vertical from the spring perch mounts and mount to a cross bar between the frame. I had to cut the x-frame out and remake new plates for it to fit with the ladder bars. This leaves a fully adjustable rear axle for adjustments down the road. With the engine I used a front SBC/BBC engine mount that you can get from Speedway. With the original frame mounts that were there from the nailhead you can use the rubber cup mounts. I just drilled new holes in the mounts and ran the bolts up from the frame mounts. This doesn't require you to make new frame mounts. It was one of the easiest engine swaps I have done. You can even reuse the original transmission mount by moving it back and redrilling holes. I have included a few pictures with the 455 and the SBC. PM me if you want specific pictures of what I have done. Hope this helps and good luck it is great to hear another person out there saving one of these old Buicks. Not everyone can afford to rebuild an old nailhead. I like to drive mine out of state and as of now I can stop at just about any parts store on the way or back and get repair parts. That is why I switched my nailhead out.

 

Now it wasn't a kit, but years ago i swapped into an old buick a latemodel(70's-ish) buick 455 driveline out of a buick wagon.

 

Very cool! Yes I WILL PM you for detailed shots on mounts and rear! Thanks much!

 

reliability, uh ********....

Like what parts? Everything that would be easily fixed on the side of the road I've been able to find at more than one local parts house. Water pump, ignition, radiator hose, etc.

The SBC myth is ********... it is no more reliable than just about any other decently built and maintained engine. Sometimes it's cheaper, yeah, but the reliability thing is a crock.

 

I'm taking a wild guess here and thinking that maybe you drive ah.. Buick? If you can find a nailhead water pump at a local parts store you're living in a far better place than I. Heck.. anymore if you go into a parts store.. if you having anything older than an '85 you're outta luck. There are very few parts stores in my area anymore where the people behind the counter know anything at all... can cross reference or even know what a nailhead is... Yes, you're probably correct about the reliability. If maintained as you say they are great engines. I'm hoping some of these old engines become so popular that you CAN get parts as easily as a nailhead.

Didn't mean to get your knickers in a knot.

 

My knickers aren't in a knot, and it applies to a lot more than Buicks. Fords, mopar, Olds, Pontiacs, and on and on. And I'm not talking about Advance or the Zone, though both list the late Nailhead water pump as being in the wharehouse. Napa, and your independent place. If you're counting on those chessy chain stores you need to get a clue. They're all about stick on portholes and air fresheners. Find a real parts store. There's one just about everywhere. And there seem to be quite a few parts places in Maple Valley. One of them has got to be decent, though it may not be in the best part of town.

 

Think we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one Vern.

 

So you're still trying to say SBC are more reliable?

and don't get confused... this is Vern

 

No actually I was agreeing with you on the nailhead being reliable (if taken care of)... the part I don't agree on is parts availability. Definitely more expensive.

No I don't agree that all engines are created equal and one is just as reliable as the next. Each seems to have it's own weakness. That being said... The #1 reason I switched over to SBC (and I know you don't agree with that and that's OK).. is cost and availability of parts. Yes, even at ****s (I mean Schucks) I can get small block chevy parts.

I do have a shop I go to where there are still knowledgable guys behind the counter that have been working auto parts for years.. but these parts stores are getting harder and harder to find.. and if I'm taking a road trip and have a failure... I still say MUCH easier to get parts for SBC.

Think were beatin' a dead horse here Vern. You don't have to agree with me as I don't have to agree with you... I guess that's why we all drive different rides and have different tastes, opinions, etc.

 

So to stop the misinformation I went to the Auto Zone website. Looked up the water pump for a '64 Riviera and a '98 Chevy truck. Both already on there from looking for parts. The results are amazing.



The first 3 are the SBC pumps for a '98 SBC, the last is the pump for a '64 Riviera.

Owwww... that hurts... and I know that waiting a few hours for the pump is an inconvenience. But I know they have it in the warehouse. I've gotten them the same day. So the cost is out the window... ooops... I never thought...

And I'm still not Vern. Though I do know a Vern. So can we quit with the misinformation already.