I was wondering if anyone has any tip on swapping in a 430/455 into a 57 Buick. I recently purchased a 57 project and the top part of the cross member has been cut out. It looks as if they were trying to drop the engine down. Also what perches am I going to need? I have made a deal on a 60 parts car but will not get in home until next Saturday. I am thinking I may be able to cut the top off the front cross in the 60 and use it in the 57?o No: Any suggestions would be great. Thanks Dan
Is there no one here that has done this swap?o No: maybe 55 or 56. I would thing the same issues would apply?o No:
Get ready for some fabrication! :idea2: Your '57 Buick uses a "torque-tube" rear axle. A TH400 will not bolt up to this. You will have to remove the rear axle and replace it with a later model axle. You can source the axle from a full-size Buick and it would be plenty durable or throw money at a slick custom setup. The Dynaflow is a "shorter" transmission than the TH400 in terms of height, you'll likely hit the top of the transmission tunnel with the TH400. A new transmission crossmember will have to be made. As for the engine mounts, from what I've read the 455 will have to be dropped further in order to work. I believe the starter in your '57 is on the driver's side. The Buick 455's starter is on the passenger side. Obviously a new/custom wiring harness will have to be made. Food for thought, it may be wise to swap the '57 body onto a "newer" rolling chassis. I.E. Buy a '71 Estate wagon and drop the body on the frame. A member here did a similar swap with his '53 Buick, he used a 1967 Sportwagon frame. Username is: rmstg2 Also if you do go this route, make sure the donor frame is within an inch of the wheelbase of '57's wheelbase. You may even be able to use a late model Roadmaster frame, '91-'96. With all that being said, have you considered purchasing a 425 Nailhead from a mid-'60's Buick? That swap would be less work. I hope this gives you some food for thought. :bglasses:
The swap I saw was on a 57 Super. He put the 57 body on a 72 Buick Estate Wagon Chassis. He then used a more modern 72 chassis drive train and accessories. The owner said it was an easy swap the was not nearly as diffcult as trying to adapt to a torque tube based chassis.
I have a 62' Pontiac Grand Prix 9.3 rear end I was going to use with a triangulated 4-bar. I am aware the 430/455 needs to be dropped down. I am also considering a Art Morison Bikini clip and I realize the battery box may need to be moved. I have the 430 with the switch pitch ST400 but maybe it would be easier to find a 401 or 425?:idea2:
I've wanted to do a 55-57 w/455 for a couple years.Like a 2 lane blacktop Buick:3gears: I havent found any good info to share,good luck!:beer
the 71-76 fullsize platform conversion was mentioned, I would avoid prior to 71 because of the steering box location. The best platform that I know of is a `78 to `87 GM B-body (LeSabre, Electra, Impala, Boneville) frame/suspension transplant. It will accommodate any engine, comes with modern brakes, steering, suspension, wheel size/bolt pattern and differential which any or all can be further upgraded if desired. This frame is also easily adjusted for length and compared to others width can be compensated for as well.
I think I am going to stick with the original frame and make the changes needed to the front cross and inner fenders to make it work. We will see once I get in there and get started. I did lay out the rear end today. Leveled the frame and found my center lines and figure out my control arms and brackets for the triangulated 4-bar. The rear I am using is a 62' Pontiac 9.3 that used the triangulated 4-bar originally. The brackets for both the upper and lower control arms on the rear housing are going to work great just as they are. I did cut offs the spring perches on the rear housing and will run coil overs off the the original shock mounts. I will have to cut out the upper crossmember on the frame that the spring saddles are in then install another crossmember further aft in the frame for the coil overs. I will post some pics in a couple days.
Be careful with the original shock mounts on the rearend. They were not designed to hold up the entire weight of the back half of the car. I'm thinking you may have to beef them up a bit to use with the coilovers. Years ago I had a rear shock freeze up on my 67 Riviera, and before I got it home it ripped the shock bolt and part of the bracket clear off the rearend. Keep us posted on your progress. Later, Randy
One of my buddies was saying the same thing. I may have to re-think this or use the mounts in the 4-bar kit. I have seen other cars that have done this same set up but they were using the 4-bar mounts.
Here's my suggestion: Keep the 57 original. It's an art and preservations takes talent. Then Just go out and buy a rice rocket or some other insignificant bucket and drive it a while or soup that up until you get tired of it in a couple of months or it goes out of style this year so you can go cut up and rod something else? That way you would preserve a diminishing breed and at the same time, clear unwanted metal off of the road by cutting and butchering the rice rockets out there or maybe clear the herd of over growth of chevys and fords.
I agree 100% with this UNLESS hes working with a car missing several original components..... if thats the case just rod it and have some fun. BUT please keep it BUICK powered ray:
This is a project that was started and the fellow passed away. There were several modifications already preformed. He had planned the 430 install and it did come with the project. I have picked up a 401 with a switch pitch ST400 so, that is the direction I am going with this project. The fun part about this hobby is everyone has a different view of what appeals to them. Positive feed back is always a plus. Thank You...
