It's heresy!!!!

[gelcoat]

Burn me at the Buick stake if you must-in the absence of Buick engines on the West coast I'm considerring the following: (sit down if you're weak or have a bad heart). I'm planning to drop a Pontiac 400 into my GS. There-I said it. I see torches and pitchforks at the horizon already.
I know there must be someone out there who has seen this before. Do I need to change out frame mounts? Let's see-alternator and power steering brackets. GTO headers. Am I forgetting anything?
O.K., let the damnation begin.:af:

[Nitro71455]

GEZZZZZ

Are buick motors really that spars out there????????

I would sure think you could find a 455 buick and be money ahead from having to swap a bunch of stuff......

Shesh if your switching hearts on us, you just as well go to cheby. At least the parts will be cheep.

[BuickStreet]

Tsk tsk tsk. What would Grandad say?

Bill S.

[staged67gspwr]

Damn!whay a Pontiac of all motors?:Dou:

[tommieboy]

edit:

Chevy engine photos have been removed since our Buick brother has been saved! :)

[RACEBUICKS]

Well I have only one thing to say

TRUCK FREIGHT !!

BTW The starter is on the other side distributer is in the wrong place can you also say wireing butcher job!!

[tommieboy]

RACEBUICKS said:Well I have only one thing to say

TRUCK FREIGHT !!

BTW The starter is on the other side distributer is in the wrong place can you also say wireing butcher job!!

Not to worry, I'm pretty sure Jim W. can come up with a nice professional quality conversion kit if there is enough demand for this engine. :grin:

[Da Torquester.]

I lived down in Concord, Ca. ( near SF. ) and Buick 455s are out there. I know for a fact Buick engines are at the wrecking yards in Northern Calif. In my opinion you need to be more resourceful and look harder. And...........If that's not it be truthful and admit you do not like Buick engines! There are a variety of cars out there to get Buick 455s out of. LOOK HARDER!!!!!! Other than that I would sell the GS. to someone who really needs a genuine GS. and buy a goat. No hard feelings. Just my opinion.
John

[71GS455]

Although I can't speak for CA, I have found several in WA over the last couple of years.

But I've been picky too. I wanted something essentially ready for bolt-on's and drop it in. I did end up finding it for $100. Of course now that I've got it, I don't have a garage and it's sitting in a storage unit waiting for the future.

Since then, I had a chance to buy a rebuildable core 70 SF motor (I think Rick Henderson has it since I didn't have a place to put it).

I also found one in a wrecking yard that showed good compression. The problem was they wanted something like $500 for it + core charge.

To say there are none doesn't seem right, but to say there are none that fit within your parameters and a certain price ceiling is another thing.

It just takes patience and lots of legwork.

[71GS455]

Here ya go, 2 minutes worth of checking in CA:

Ad Type FOR SALE
Price $300.00
Price Negotiability Firm
Ad Text BUICK 455 engine, nds rebuild, smokes, $300 firm
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
Phone (323) 971-3100 (Click this number to see what city you will be calling)

________________

Ad Type FOR SALE
Price $175.00
Ad Text BUICK 364-455 rebuilt hds, $175 pr
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
Phone (310) 837-2475 (Click this number to see what city you will be calling)
***This one is for heads, but maybe he's got some motors???***

_________________

Ad Type FOR SALE
Price $500.00
Price Negotiability Or Best Offer
Ad Text REBUILD buick engine, $500 or best offer
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
Phone (805) 520-3350 (Click this number to see what city you will be calling)
***Doesn't say what kind of motor though... worth a call***

[Marc Frappier]

Since we are on the topic of the availibility of big buicks. I would just like to say that even though I live up north in Canada. My local wreckers has a decent supply of big buick parts. You just have to look REAL hard. I found a goldmine in an old school bus, it was full of anything buick parts, you name it, it was there. I attend my local car show and all I see is chev, ford or mopar, no buicks. I'm sure you guys in the states must have a pretty good supply of parts. It's a patience game. Keep looking at the wreckers.. and check under those hoods, you will find something.
I guarantee it.... :grin:

Good Luck Gelcoat

p.s If it was my GS, I would try my best to keep it all Buick. Not everyone has the money to build a stout 455. As long as you plan on putting a buick motor in it, if you just want to drive your GS GO FOR IT....just don't open the hood!

Marc

[alan]

Why not install a turbocharged Buick V6? I'd do that before putting a chevy engine in it.

[JET455]

Gelcoat
I guess I better check on truck freight before you do something everyone will regret!:laugh:

Jason

[Chris Lott]

Of all places, I would think CA would be one of the easiest to find old car parts in. Between 350s and 455s you should be able to come up with something. Don't give up and pass over to the darkside yet, the battle isn't over.

[gelcoat]

O.K. I lost my sanity for a moment. Just as I found a great deal on a Pontiac and I STARTED THINKING, I got an e-mail. It seems a 400 Buick was located. Hmmm, You know, a big block is way easier than a Pontiac. O.K., I can do this. I'm not yet sure this one is the engine for me, I believe the big Buick is more of what I'm looking for, and maybe easier to locate. So, I may drop in the low-buck 350 I located and continue my search for the 400. 430 or 455/TH400 to make things really happen.
Now to sell off my 350 stuff.

Thriving on chaos......JT

[Marco]

gelcoat said:...I believe the big Buick is more of what I'm looking for, and maybe easier to locate. So, I may drop in the low-buck 350 I located and continue my search for the 400. 430 or 455/TH400 to make things really happen...

Glad you came to your senses :beer

[Nitro71455]

Glad you got your marbles back :Brow:

[Da Torquester.]

Amen, My Buick Brother:TU: Your momentary lapse of sanity is excused!
:) John

[staged67gspwr]

yea thank god you came to senses:beer :TU:

[BuickStreet]

Ok, now team A can go and get some sleep. Team B will take first watch and monitor the situation in case JT lapses again. Team C start to make some phone calls and locate some 455's. Team D; organise the food, beer and blankets. We're not going to let this one slip again.

JT, you'll be ok, just hang in there - we're here for ya buddy! Stay with us we'll pull you through.

Bill S.

[staged67gspwr]

lololol

[71GS455]

gelcoat,

Did you call any of the numbers I posted to see what's up with the motor(s)?

[armyguy298]

saved another brother!

[BuickStreet]

It was touch and go there for a little while, though I don't think we are out of the woods yet. One of us may have to drive out there and .... :Smarty:

[Da Torquester.]

Gelcoat, for what it's worth follow up on that info. that Steve Everist gave you. He helped me get my last 70 SF 455 motor. He emailed me the add, and it was that simple. Thanks Steve!!! :TU: Don't go over to the shivvvy darkside!!!
John:)

[71GS455]

Da Torquester. said:Gelcoat, for what it's worth follow up on that info. that Steve Everist gave you. He helped me get my last 70 SF 455 motor. He emailed me the add, and it was that simple. Thanks Steve!!! :TU: Don't go over to the shivvvy darkside!!!
John:)

So, as of now, I've helped both you and Rick score SF motors... not bad for a few month's work!

:laugh:

Over a year ago, I knew of another motor locally at a wrecking yard but they wanted way too much for it.

[pureluc2]

gelcoat: i will give u a complete 455 or anyone who wants it for free just dont go pontiac in a buick. but u need to come and get it . it is locked up,not blown up locked up.someone rebuilt my oil pump and didnt know what they where doing so when i put it on the engine i didnt have any gauges hooked up so i lost oil presure and it just stoped.it will be out of the car before christmas.:ball: and i am not sure but i think it is between a 73 ,75 engine.

[JIMSGS]

This is the Buick owner formerly known as Gelcoat! In the past week my C drive crashed on my home computer (hence the new name on this board). I found a good 350/TH350 combo locally, so I'm going to be back on the road soon. I do plan to keep my eyes open for a big block, but for now, I'm getting my GS back on the streets! Sorry if I ruffled some feathers, it's just me going through my meltdown! Now, I just have this identity crisis to deal with....JT:TU:

[71GS455]

Did you try the numbers I listed above?

[Wretched]

Marc Frappier said:Since we are on the topic of the availibility of big buicks. I would just like to say that even though I live up north in Canada. My local wreckers has a decent supply of big buick parts. You just have to look REAL hard. I found a goldmine in an old school bus, it was full of anything buick parts, you name it, it was there. I attend my local car show and all I see is chev, ford or mopar, no buicks. I'm sure you guys in the states must have a pretty good supply of parts. It's a patience game. Keep looking at the wreckers.. and check under those hoods, you will find something.
I guarantee it.... :grin:

Good Luck Gelcoat

p.s If it was my GS, I would try my best to keep it all Buick. Not everyone has the money to build a stout 455. As long as you plan on putting a buick motor in it, if you just want to drive your GS GO FOR IT....just don't open the hood!

Marc

where's this wrecking yard Marc, or did you clean it out?

[Gold72GS]

You could have ended up like the Holley Olds, a beautiful concours rebuild except for an aftermarket gauge cluster and a big block Chevy! What were they thinking!!!! Brian :Dou: