430 into a 53 buick

[jdr53buick]

Has anyone put a 430 into a 53 Buick? Are there conversion kits available that include motor and transmission mounts?

[The Old Guy]

The 53 has a torque tube drive, so you will need to also change the rear end. This will mean building either a four link or something comparable to hold the rear end in position. This is something to think about before you get too far into the job.

:( :( :Do No:

[Adam Whitman]

Joe,
My pop had thought outloud once that maybe a rear from a open driveline Olds might be the answer to convert the mid-later 50's Buicks. Do you have an opinion on this idea? Or would it be totally different?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

[kennygs72]

what about useing a 70's riv frame???, you would have a 455, disc brakes, air, power steering and alot easer to find parts for. i was told the are the same lengh and width as the 50's buicks ypu would just have to fab. body mounts.

[Raycin Dean]

This Is close . I put a350 in my 56, The location of the sump is ,is why I picked the350, with a l ong tail 400th .Rear springs out of a 56 olds . Work well Had to louver the hood . To get the heat out it cooked the master cylinder. once the hood was done I put well over 80k on car .
Gary

[Smartin]

The 71-75 and maybe 76 Riviera had a 122" wheelbase.

[mdapperdan]

Since the '53 was the frist v/8 (nailhead) I dropped a 401 in my '53 and it looked stock.

[Adam Whitman]

Joe Taubits (The Old Guy) has put a 57? on a 70's Electra? chassis. I know he said it worked great, but all other details are fuzzy.

I hope he'll pipe in here as I am contemplating the same thing with a 55 on a 75 Riv Chassis. It sure is a luxury to talk to someone that's "been there done that" with such an adventuresome swap.

[dryskip]

Check out NailHeadBuick group at:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/NailHeadBuick/
Lots of this kind of info there.

[buick195646r]

If it was MY choice i would drop in a 401 or 425. It would be a more compatable switch, the upgrade would still be a nostalgic Nailhead without any lack of performance, especially if you can get your hands oon a 2 x 4 intake.

[The Old Guy]

Dropping an early body on a late chassis is not that difficult. The body mounts were the same for many years. The bodies came down the line at Fisher Body, and they used the same mounting spots so the line did not need changing every year. The Electra frame needs to be shortened to put the wheels in the wheel wells right, but the only other big thing is the rear upper arms may need clearance behind the rear seat. When you are done, you have a Buick that has easily replaceable parts, and the power and brakes to go anywhere.
:3gears:

[flynbuick]

Joe

I saw a beauty of a 57 Super at the TRR in Daytona. He had a 455 and the donor frame was a 71or 72 Estate Wagan. He said a nice easy fit.

[Steve Little]

Joe, a few weeks back you offered this suggestion to me as well, for my 1950 convertible. I'm seriously looking into this, but one fellow told me that I'd have to use the later model car's floorpans, and maybe the firewall as well, in order to avoid having the car sit too high. Any thoughts on this?