Yesterday we got the rebuilt 400 and T-400 transmission in the car and lucky us everything bolted up as it should including the 400 frame mounts and motor mounts. Adding the rear extension that was on the T-400 that was in the car and bolted it to the rebuilt T-400 that came with the 400 engine allowed us to use the 340 drive shaft with no issues. There are some parts from the 340 that are the same as those used on the 400, IE: A/C- alternator mount, fan/clutch, accelerator linkage, power steering pump (but not mounting brackets) etc. Fortunately I had purchased a second 400 big block that was out of an A/C car and I got all the parts and fittings with it so we had lots of parts we could use but had to hunt down the correct water pump 2 groove pulley etc. and a one off 1967 year choke that was sitting on a used part shelf at TA Performance, whew! Engine will be ready to fire up Wednesday next week but since we are crafting a new exhaust system for the Sportwagon since the single exhaust with the 340 would not work with the 400 engine, we want to at least get the tailpipes bolted on if not the mufflers before we fire it the first time. I am going to try and use a complete new dual exhaust system I bought 3-4 years ago from Waldron for a 73 Riviera I had but have sold the Riv. It will take some fitting and fabrication but better than buying a new GS400 system which is not long enough for the extended wheel base of the Sportwagon. It appears the exhaust/tail pipes will bolt up to the exhaust manifolds but we need to get the car on a lift to truly see what it will take to create the system. This has been a fun project and we need about two days to install the new interior, add red pin stripes, and then take the car for some day trips to break in the engine. Hopefully we will be on the road to Brookfield, Wisconsin for the BCA meet 5-8 July as I have the car entered in the modified class. Back up plan is to put the car in my 24' enclosed trailer and take it to Brookfield. More to come as we get the engine running and car on the road for its initial test drive.
Bill, at this point we are putting the 4 core OEM radiator back in that came in the Sportwagon since it had A/C from the factory. I did install a high volume water pump so we will see how that works with the 4 core and 180 thermostat. Also have a clutch fan and a shroud installed. Wish me luck in the Texas heat!
Buick should have offered this back in 67. Buckets and a console would be a nice option too. Keep up the good work, thanks for posting!
Tom, I answered from my cell phone but don't see it here so I will try again. I have seriously considered buckets and console but the car has an electrical powered bench seat which is rare. In addition, it has a horizontal detail in the vinyl seat cover and on the door panels that is quite nice. This vinyl detail runs horizontal across the seat then vertically down both sides at either end. The fellow I bought the car from had the front seat redone to look original and had the detail cut out of the old original upholstery and sewn into the new vinyl and it looks awesome. The second and third seat in the car also have the detail in the vinyl coverings which I have had redone and again cut out the detail and had it sewn into the new vinyl. With the detail also on the door panels I decided to keep the interior stock and not put in the buckets since there would be no way to incorporate the detail in the stock bucket seat covers. So, the car will look original inside and folks can appreciate the detail Buick put in the Sportwagon 400 as an upgrade. You can see the detail strip in the photos below
You did the right thing. Now you need one of the local leather artists to tool you up a full grain cowhide belt to match.
I might wander down to the Fort Worth Stockyards where boots and belts are made and sold all day long!
