A friend has a chance to buy a 1958 Buick Special sedan for a good price. It is a failed restoration project, the engine and trans were removed for rebuilding years ago and are now long gone and no chance to get them back. He wants to put it on the road as a mild custom and summer cruiser, lowered with a few custom touches. The plan is to install a Chev 350/350 but this calls for an open driveshaft and a different rear axle. Has anyone changed one of these to open drive shaft? What is the easiest way to do this?
Buick went to an open driveshaft in 1961, and I believe that the center section out of '61-'62 Buicks will bolt into your existing rear end housing; of course, then you'll have to fabricate some trailing arms for it.
This swap is discussed in other threads here, but basically you can use the trailing arm setup out of a 68-72 GM pickup. It is not an easy swap, but there are lots of examples in this forum to follow.
Another idea is to do a complete ch***is swap. Have done some searching this evening and the closest match I have found, is a Cadillac Brougham up to 1992. They have a 121.5" wheelbase, the Buick is 122. Have heard of cutting out the floor and swapping in the complete ch***is and floor. Are there any threads on this or articles online?
Rusty, if the rest of the ch***is/suspension is considered satisfactory, the rear end swap is by far easier than a full frame transplant, in my opinion. Using either the later Buick thrid member, as suggested above, or a complete rear axle from a later GM car or pickup with 5 x 5" bolt pattern and the GM style 'truck arms" is the most direct way to get an open drive rear end under the car. And you can utilize the stock coils in the process. Also, as suggested above, a search for threads on this subject will provide lots of data and pictures. Ray
OK thanks for the info guys. In case you are wondering the guy who is thinking of getting the Buick is an animal and a 4 wheel drive freak from way back. His first thought was to stick the Buick 4 door body on a 4 wheel drive Ford pickup ch***is with 33" tires and go mud bogging lol so I don't think a rear axle swap, or even a ch***is swap will scare him. But fixing the original ch***is with a new powertrain sounds like the easiest.
what was done to my car, was just a four link. i will see if i have any pictures of the setup. the front end was subframed from a 80s monte carlo and the rear is from teh same vehicle. Four linked and bagged and its a really clean deal. just a thought
For you guys who have thought about doing a "body-swap" leaving the floors and all in tack....follow this guys link. He used a 62 continental and a 99 town car...very detailed and informative for those who thinking along these lines.;D http://www.layitlow.com/forums/29-project-rides/181366-62-lincoln-continental-project.html
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