SBB 350/3.8 swap valve cover fitment issues

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by Sowle, Nov 27, 2014.

  1. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer

    I am hoping someone can enlighten. 1984 regal orig 3.8NA/TH200 swaping for SBB 350/2004R. In all my web searching this department I have read about this pass valve cover to airbox clearance issue. So my question is does any one here know with this particular ride will the Poston or TA angled valve covers remedy this? Or would a "HVAC box" from a turbo car help remedy this clearance issue? Will the engine fit and just leave the valve cover "permanent" so its not removable? Also has anyone used poly v6 engine mounts with the SBB?
     
  2. Floydsbuick

    Floydsbuick Well-Known Member

    Its been awhile since Ive had a SBB Regal, but if my memory is correct, in the 70s they started using a slanted valve cover, as opposed to the much squarer ones that you'd see on like the late 60s engines. I believe that solved my problem.
     
  3. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer

    Yes -but did the airbox need to be modified? I cannot bring myself to cut up this car (84 somerset). I have spent many homework hrs and collected many parts for this project. I actually have the TA valve covers. I have left this car alone until I am almost certain I have what I need. The other issue I cannot seem to remedy is if I need a different column to run the 2004R. Thanks for the help.
     
  4. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer

    If a turbo car airbox will provide extra clearance I would have no problem with swapping the entire unit.
     
  5. Floydsbuick

    Floydsbuick Well-Known Member

    Its gonna be tight against the airbox, even with that valve cover. Biggest prob is when putting the engine in.
     
  6. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer

    Does anyone by chance have measurement of clearance between a stock sbb 350 oil pan and gbody frame? Or a picture? Looking at the stock 3.8 frame mounts I'm wondering if its possible to take some height with new mounts.
     
  7. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    The turbo airbox has an ADDITIONAL shield, made of metal, that would take away even more space. DISCLAIMER: I did not actually measure the stock 3.8 N.A. airbox and compare it to any of my 3.8 TURBO airboxes, just noted the metal shield on the 84, 86, and 87 cars, and noted that an 87 5 liter Olds car did NOT have a metal shield. I know that the TURBO cars used a different heater core...I will look to see if the housings have any visible part number or cast in number, but it will be a little while until I will be back due to work schedule. (nights again:mad:)
     
  8. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer




    Great help. Much appreciated
     
  9. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    Valve cover clearance was a big problem in this swap when I did this 2 yrs also. I didn't really steady it a huge amount just because it was a pretty common deal and I just cut it and tried to make it look clean as possible. I cut the hole big enough for the engine to rock and bent a piece of thin piece of plate steel from the store put that in place. Then took the heater core and cut it into a L shape and resoldered it to seal it then check for leaks. The heater works great on cool nights from spring-fall here in Iowa and the car never gets driven in the winter (car has zero rust holes, floor issues OR frame issues and has original 30yrs paint). The 30yrs AC did work after this swap was done until AC line popped. I used the old POSTON buick valve covers which are bigger then the stock one but I figured if I cut the box might as well put some covers on I like. I did make a custom bolt next to the box so I can take the covers off if I need to which does work but the head of it's like 2'' long and I use a 3/8 wrench take it out/put in. I understand about the fact of slicing something in a car thats hard to replace/fine. I don't know if any of this stuff I said will help. I will say the somerset regals are really hard to fine, the only one I ever seen was at Car Craft Summer Nationals back in 2011. On the trans deal I cannot help much I used the Th350 that came with my 350 engine, I wish I did use a 200r4 built, gas millage kinda sucks with 3.42 gears at 65-70 MPH at 3000RPM on a 600+ mile trip I think I got roughly 13 MPG. but is our weekend driver for crusin OR nights out to town. The Oil pan clearance is not much but I do know you can remove it in the car I had to. I'll try to measure it for you. I'll try to get some pictures to show you want I had done for the box. Josh
     
  10. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer

    Thanks Josh. I am also here in Iowa. My new wonder is if lowering the engine will even help or if it is more of 'the drivetrain is too far back or airbox too far forward scenario.
     
  11. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Well, this may or may not be of any help...The 83 N/A 3.8 lower housing has 3041893; The 84 T-Type has no numbers; The 86 T-Types both have 3056512; The 87 T-Limited has 3090254; The 87 307 N/A has 3037564 #7 & 3041893. The 84 turbo car heater core seems to come straight like the 87 307 N/A; the 86 and 87 cars seem to be angled towards the passenger fender a little. All turbo cars (84, 86, 86, 87) have the metal shroud; neither N/A car (83, 87) has the shroud. Good luck...
     
  12. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    here some pics of how my car is setup currently and far as lowering the engine I don't think it will help. I think it my interfear with steering and I think the valve cover hitting the box is more of how it the box is formed as the edge is straight down then it tapers lower. Josh
     

    Attached Files:

  13. v8regalowner

    v8regalowner Silver level contributor

    Now i cant 100% answer this question, and when i put the bbb in my regal i removed the airbox but i cant see why it would have a problem fitting. the 350 is the same as a 3.8 other then the two cylinders added to the front. if the trans is staying in the same place any clearance issues would be forward. I believe if you use the 3.8 frame stands and engine side mounts it should fit. im not saying its not tight but it should fit. The last one i did was a 77 regal which i know is a little different but thats what i did on that car. im putting a 350 in my 84 now.
     
  14. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer



    This is good info. Too bad we didn't have spec sheets with drawings. Im wondering how a measurement can be taken comparing the 86-7 setup versus other. Sounds like it could be promissing more angled toward the right side of the car. I missed out on an 87 yesterday (salvage online auction) this will help me sleep into the future;
     
  15. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer


    Looks good. I can see where the steering could be an issue. The sbb really seems to fit right as is. How is the hood clearance with that air cleaner? I dig the valve covers. Thanks for the pics.
     
  16. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    hood clearance isn't bad but a little tight as I'm running a 750 holley with a stock 4 barrel intake with adapter to work so I lost space but is still fine the air cleaner has a drop base with 1/2 spacer to clear linkage and is a 2 inch filter. Just curious which part of IA you in, I'm near the tri-state drag strip which is about 30 miles west of Dubuque. Josh
     
  17. Sowle

    Sowle Comic Book Dreamer



    Im in Iowa Falls. We have a concrete pump truck that one of my operators is based out of Dubuque. One of my favorite towns in Iowa if not #1. I have not been at either one of those tracks they are just down the road from each other. We used to take 20 over and go south on 84 to cordova raceway once a year for many years.
     
  18. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Another semi-important thing: The CCC cars use a version of HEI requiring constant 12 volts; old points style engines dropped the voltage to around 6 volts after starting. The MINIMUM you would need to do would be either convert to some aftermarket ignition (Pertronics), or get a conversion resistor wire to run the points style ignition. My money is on the Pertronics...
     
  19. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    Which headers are you using, and did you modify them to fit?
     
  20. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    I bought them used that is why they have road rash but, they where for a GS/skylark I believe, I bought them years ago when I started to stock pile parts to do the V8 swap. I was also told they were made by Poston Buick but when I compared them to Hookers they look the same to a T. I did mod them to fit such as the drivers side I taped them with a hammer (not a lot but a little) to clear either the frame OR motor mount I cannot remember which and also down by the collector for the column shift linkage (I wanted the factory look being the car came with the Rare factory split bench seats with short center console, if you go to the garage area and look at my car you'll see what I mean). But the Passenger side needed use of a hammer,cutting wheel and a welder, and trial and error fit before welding them. Sorry for late response I haven't been on the net lately Josh
     

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