I just inherited a 55 2-door Customline. It currently has a 66' 289 w/an srod top-loader 3-speed overdrive. I want to turn it into a driver, but the motor is bad... I either need to find another small block OR... I've got this good 460 out of a wreck that is patiently waiting in the corner of my shop. I normally deal w/chevys and old hemi's, so I am in unknown waters here. Has anyone done this swap? What are the pitfalls? What suggestions might you have? I know I can just start cutting, welding and cussing, but I sure would like to avoid problems caused by my ignorance.. Thanks
There's plenty of room for it. Depending on just how much cuttin', weldin' & cussin' ya want to do, Trans-Dapt makes two different style mounts for a 460 that seem to work pretty well in the '55....though one of them can use an extra gusset or two. Or, you can do the "make-your-own" mounts too. The exhaust manifolds may work, depending on what you have, and shorties are available for the 460 as well. Long-tube headers don't seem to fit for the most part, although I have seen one or two cars with them....no idea what they used. It can be somewhat pricey to use a manual behind a 385 Series engine....but, a C6 fits in without much of a problem, unless the engine is mounted too high. I'm guessing you weren't planning to use the SROD anyway.
I'd like to use a manual, although I assume if I tried to use the SROD, I would most likely spread parts all over the street...
I think it would be pretty tight. I put a 429 in my 57 Ford. Had to buy header from Ford Powertrain (FPA) and mounts from Crites. Still had to trim a few things. Good Luck
K-MEMBER and I put a 460 C-6 in a 56 Victoria a few years ago. Remember it was no problem, used stock manifolds (don't remember which ones).
The Jalopy Journal
