Hey guys, I just bought a 1955 Roadmaster and the 322 is locked up. I have sourced both a 322 with a transmission attached and a 364 also with the trans attached, both out of running driving cars and for basically the same price. Has anyone here ever swapped a 364 into a 54-56 Buick and if so what did you do? My main concern is that I have factory power steering and the left manifold of the 322 already seems pretty close to the steering box.
Thanks man, I'm located about 30 miles north of Atlanta. I wish I was a little closer I could use a good parts car.
I have seen so many guys successfully swap 364,401 and 425 nailheads into the earlier model Buicks but could anyone tell me if they have done one or know of one with the m***ive factory power steering box?
The 322 trans must go with the 322 engine and the same with the 364 and later engines/trans. The 322 has a larger bolt pattern. Otherwise they are much the same dimensions.
I installed a 401 into a '55 Buick Special, but I added a ST-10 4-speed and got rid of the torque tube and it didn't have power steering. As I recall, all I had to do was to make new motor mounts and reposition the transmission mount to get the engine in, but other than that, it was pretty easy. I seem to recall needing a rear sump oil pan and exhaust manifolds off a different year car, but don't recall the exact details - sorry.
If the torque tube coupling on the back of both Dynaflow transmssions are the same that eliminates a major potential issue.. I confess I haven't this particular swap, but am somewhat familiar with these Buicks and it should not otherwise be a difficult swap. Ray
Hmm this talk of a 401 makes me question swapping in the 364. I found a 1960 401/Dynaflow and torque tube/axle out of a running car for 450 bucks which is really catching my eye. I got to thinking today that if it came down to it I could get a manual steering box and run it until I could find some skylark gs manifolds or make a set of headers. I'd like to have the power steering, but I don't mind getting rid of it temporarily if necessary. Does anyone know if the 60 model oil pan, manifolds etc. are suitable for this swap?
I'm currently doing a 401 conversion into my 55 special. I've stripped car down til it's only a body on a ch***is with 401/T700 sitting in the rails. It's got manual steer. I had to get a rear hump sump from a 364 to clear the steering etc. Bought some blockhuggers extractors but they come really really close to the steering box so will have to run standard exhaust manifolds. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Some 401s & 364s may not share same oil pump either. So to run an earlier pan with hump at rear u may have to convert your oil pump too. I've been looking at converting my steering to rack & pinion so I can move my motor/Trans forward about 1 1/2 inches so I don't have to fab a new Trans tunnel. The rear hump sump won't allow me to put the motor any further forward due to interference with factory manual steering. Hope this is helpful!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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