Hey group, Fairly new to the site and don't view it often so this may have been discussed already but, if anyone has swapped a 455 ( 70 GS motor) into a 1st generation Riviera, 63 - 65, I'd like to know what I might expect. I know the starter is on the opposite side and the bottom radiator hose goes to the opposite side, and the distributor is in the front. My questions would have to do with clearance, exhaust manifolds, mounts, etc. Or, does anyone want to by a 70 GS motor - complete: carb to pan, flywheel to water pump. Thanks in advance :beer Ed
You may need a center sump oil pan. Skylark/GS 455 engines have a rear sump. Depends where you steering is located, in front of or behind the engine x-mbr.
You will need to fab up mounts, use a center sump oil pan, either exhaust manifolds or shortie headers would posibly work. Similar to what we are doing in the shop now , a 66 wilcat with a 455 swap. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTRPRISES
Why? Hi George, Weekender here. I have been a nail head nut as you seem to be. I ran 12:50 ets @ 108MPH with a 401 CI stock compression motor in a skylark in the 1970 when that was fast. The nail head is almost bullet proof if dependability is an issue as compared to the 455. Forged everything, crank, rods, pistons and with a few head mods will provide huge torque numbers to haul that big boat down into the 13's or faster with gearing and camshaft changes if that is what you want. It could be plenty fast enough so you would be proud to own it! I currently have a 455 and have built and rebuilt and rebuilt this animal into submission. It is more powerful but at a price. It is much more temperamental from oiling systems to bearing life on all rotating assemblies. Just read about the issues in this BB for the things you will face by changing engines. If I had your car with a rebuildable 401 or 425, that is where I would put my money today. When you open the hood people are always baffled by the upright valve covers and for the money and dependability it is worth the cost to preserve this well balanced and powerful piece of history. Now to sooth you guys who are going to get hostel on me for speaking such hierarchy about our beloved 455 BB. Having told you about my failures with the 455, knowledge is power and the guy who subscribe to this BB are very helpful and will give you all the advice you need and more than you want at times. So if you desire is to tread into personal uncharted territory and have a disire to spend money you have found the right place to be to get it done right the first time, rather than the second or third as I did. Good luck! Weekender :TU
No E-mail Kevco I did not get an e-mail from you. If you were trying to get me I'm sorry it did not get through. Weekender
Apology to Ed I sent you a reply earlir and as I reviewed the thread I realized I used the wrong name on the greeting. Sorry! Old age I guess. :error: Weekender
I bought the motor about 5 years ago to put into an 84 Regal I had. My step son wrecked the Regal and the engine still sits in the garage on an engine stand. I have never heard it run. The gentleman I bought it from had it in a 70 GS 4 speed car and wrecked it. He salvaged the engine before it went to the yard. He told me at the time I bought it that it had about 20,000 miles on a rebuild. I cannot confirm that. It is a complete motor from clutch to water pump and carb to pan. It still has all the vacuum hoses, gas lines, oil pressure sending unit lines (mechanical), water hoses, exhaust manifolds, etc. attached. It also has the frame mounts attached to the motor mounts. I also have a 67 BOP switch pitch TH400 transmission and converter that would bolt to it. I do not have a flex plate. Thanks for your interest.
