I've run cut down cranks before, it becomes a question of balancing I guess. So if you cut down the rods by 30 you'd have to at least cut the mains down by 10; Not sure how far the case hardening goes to, but you should be okay. At least that's what a supposed "master machinist" told me back then, I have no idea if that is true or not. It worked for me on an essentially stock rebuild on a mild 1970 455; I did throw a Stage 1 cam and heads at it and it did stand up to it. What killed me at that time was I put a high volume high pressure oil pump in, it was a misguided attempt to improve oil pressure. What happened was we didn't resize the rods, (they were "close enough" according to that same machinist who worked a lot with Chevys) and sure enough, at 4200 RPM about a year later it let go again. Being that we have a hard time finding anything Buick up here my Electra is also running a cut down crank. I believe we took it down 20. It's been 10 years and no issues.
Its not much better up here in the frozen tundra either Marc! Talked to a few pro's over the last few days and found the racers shop to get the crank work done, I hope. While its being serviced, of course I want it balanced. So to that end , I NEED A MANUAL FLYWHEEL for a 455. I cant swing $300 for a NHRA certified billet steel wheel, just a stock old flywheel from a 455 GS. Refacing is not a problem. The rest I can wing, but these are Buick Specific. Nodular iron wheels from all over the planet are all for Ponchos, and Olds etc, but none for the Foster Kids (us). May have the shop resize the rods with new rod bolts as well. I hate cutting corners, but this is a budget build. Please send the CAVALARY LOL... ws
Where was that `67 Chevelle? Somewhere near you? I could have a possible interest in that car but would like to see it.
Hey Bill... the car is in Kiel, Wi, between Sheboygan and Fondulac. His asking was at 7500 but took my offer of 6K, but I walked. Its got a clean title, 138 car, with a FI 327 in it now (half apart) and a 396 (all apart) to go with it and a Muncie trans with a Hurst in the car. Its ruff but salvageable. The guys name is Tom at 920 901 1177. Can ya help me with some 455 engine parts? Need some pre EGR heads and stuff... ws
I wish I could but the only Buick stuff I have is 350. The Chevelle looks like a little more of a project than I have time for but seeing the trim tag, Marina Blue with the blue bucket seat interior, that hurts. That's pretty much my dream car.
Bill, My friend George is out of town until Wednesday (?), but will take a look as soon as he gets back. He's quite sure he has everything you'll need. He'll let me know and then I'll give him your number. Thanks, Steve
Thanks Steve ! Ill look forward to hearing from You/George. Weez all in this together... G.O.Bill... Yeah, that 67 has some potential, but it would easily become a 2 year frame off resto replacing everything. I was feeling the guy out at 6K, but wouldve felt justified at 500. Hmmm. Pretty happy with the 64 right now, barring engine stuff and trans business. Ill drive it as a beater for now (its still presentable) and worry about appearance next go-around! ws
I called Tom this morning about the Chevelle. I figured I could run up there on New Years Day if he was going to be around but he told me he has a deposit on the car from a guy in Texas. He'll let me know if the deal fails.
Yo Steve... I hope George comes through. I never DREAMED about the availability on the flywheel. Googled Terry in GB and they even do crankshaft welding/ building, stroker grinds etc etc. Ill speak with him tomorrow about the situation as well. That is if they are in before New Years! Still like to pick up that other thing in the store room too! Thanks again... Bill in TR
Bill, That is a great foundation for a project. I am a huge fan of the 64-67 Specials and especially the post cars. the small block bellhousing and clutch linkage does work with a 455 in these cars and there is plenty of room for a 12" clutch inside the V6 bellhousing and it only has one starter opening leaving more clearance on the clutch side for headers and exhaust. there is one for sale in the parts section at a very reasonable price. I'll be enviously following your project progress. Bob
Easy on the Cilantro on those tacos Bob! Yeah... Ive noticed a lot of BOP housings are kinda generic with 2 starter opening on the port and starboard sides. The fireball V6 is just a regl'ar old Buick housing (BOP) with one starter hole on the passenger side where it belongs LOL. Good to know a big clutch will fit in there. The plan is to run manifolds and old paint for now just to get it back on the road. Waiting for rotating assembly news and some bracket stuff from way down south. I wanna get started on the Special pulling the V6 and kids, but have a big iron in the fire for now. Please dont hesitate to jump in. Where would we be if it werent for commiseration? Happy New Year fellas... 2019 is gonna be a banner year; I PROMISE! ws
I did a 65 special that started out with the same drivetrain your 64 has. here are pics of the 455 in the chassis using the V6 bellhousing and clutch linkage. I had a big clutch and pressure plate inside that V6 Bell housing.
Seen the specs om the M's a BW T-10, but what really gives? The M20, close ratio, I can see for small blocks wanting to keep in the power band, but a 455 should be able to loose a bunch of turns and still keep the torque where it needs. Then theres the speedo cable on the pass. side. whas up wid dat? ws
Happy New Year everyone! Just finished shoveling some heavy wet snow of the walks, so they dont turn into an ice jam in the morning. Come inside to find this (see link), whats the consensus on a T-10? Has that friggin' camaro/corvette speedo drive on the P side, but complete and I can ditch the lakewood for a few bucks. Worth the 3 hour road trip? These guys are like chevelles; all 24K gold cases with nitrided titanium gears and all rare, so rare, Hurst shifters. Anyone local to Westchester to look at it for me? Somewhere around Roosevelt and Manheim. Puhleez, any input? So Bob, didja have to get that wheel balanced TO THE CRANK? And for the guys that are looking for me, dont take this as a quit looking, please! I got a pocket fulla dough from the B-turd, and sometimes you miss a spectacular deal by a 10 minute phone call. Anyone that hooks me up gets lunch on me (well Pat anyways hahaha!). ws https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/pts/d/westchester-borg-warner-super-t10-chevy/6764421231.html
YAY !!! its 2019 and I started off with an amazing 3-1/2 hour nap in bed tonight. Sometimes it goes as much as 5, but just cant shake the hours since retiring... Oh well, I deal with it. So Bob, a few questions come to mind after looking at your pics; VERY HELPFUL BTW! Whats with the space(rs) between the bell housing and the block? Just for mock up? Were the grease fittings on the upper control arm shafts OEM. I've heard they were steel/brass bushed. Does the fuel supply line run up the drivers side frame rail? And lastly, does the 64 speedo drive from the passenger side; or what can we do about that? Drivers side speedo trans's are a lot harder to find for sure! Also, I have a center sump oil pan. Any clearance issues with yours? ws
I can't remember why I had those stainless washers in there. I think it was for mock up when I wasn't sure if I had enough clearance for that big clutch or not. I do know they weren't there when I finished final assembly.
64-5 upper A-arms had the metal bushings with grease fittings. They kind of thread on, steel-to-steel with grease. Replacements are avail from Rare Parets but they're expensive. Fuel line on drivers side since small blocks had fuel pump on that side. GS 401 had pump on pass side but fuel line still on drivers. For a speedo gear on pass side, just get a longer cable. Muncie M20 is wide ratio. T-10's vary depending on application. Old ones had stronger cast iron cases, newer ones were alum. Torque rating varies too, better look it up before purchasing. A steel/iron mid plate is better than an aluminum one.
That T-10 is a 1976 version with 2.43 first gear. There's a chart posted in this thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/borg-warner-super-t10-id.1050299/