Hey guys, I ran across a local guy that has a 76 455 with what I think is a long tail shaft turbo 400 that came out of an electra. This engine has been babied its whole life, just a lil old lady that never took it over 2500 probably. Would this drop into my 70 skylark with a 350 or what is needed if not? This engine is complete carb to pan with all accesories and the trans, is it worth 400? It ran when it was pulled and has been siting covered for a couple of months, so no biggie there. Are the 76's that bad as far as performance? Could I drop it in and expect mid 14's with my 2.56 one legger rear gear? My goal is to make a 12 sec street car, just a respectable everyday driver with a little bit of oomph. I will rip all of the smog bs off of it pronto and could probably put some new gaskets in it if it needed it. Is the oil pan different from the electra to the skylark? I would really like high 14s with that engine bone stock and my current car setup. Am I that far off of base? Thanks for your help! Mack
I don't think it will make it with 2.56's. The 76 455 is the lowest HP BBB, but it has the best Block, so the building Block you have. The 350 trans will live behind it. TA sells New frame pads for this installion. It wil be a very good starting point . They are some other treads on 76 Blocks here. Do a search for 76 blocks. See what you come up with.
Low compression heads. Won't go 14's as is. Basic rebuild and it'll go 13's easy (more compression, cam etc). Have fun!
Mack, The heads on those are open chamber, which brings the compression down quite a bit. If you were to run earlier heads, then your compression would theoretically be the same as a 71-74 455 (pistons are the same, compression drop is the result of heads in 75-6). In those terms, my 71 GS455 with a Performer, stock Qjet, headers, 3.42's, with a TH400 went 13.43. So it would be possibly to run in the 12's with this motor, the right set of heads, complimentary cam, exhaust, stall convertor, gears, and sticky tires. I've got a 76 that I'm putting some good heads with matched intake, and a decent sized cam into. I don't know when it will be running, but I guess I'll be testing the theory.
im putting together a 76 455 also.using a th350 trans and a high gear.retaining the 76 heads will yeild an approx 8.1 cr. pump gas no problem there.im going to massage the heads the best i can.id go with a torque cam(just saw one on ebay)put some good exhaust on it and i think it will go 13's in my opinion.
So from the sound of things, it sounds like that engine is a good deal and I should go ahead and pick it up. Is there any fixes I should do while the engine is out of the car? I will put it in the car stock to see how it does and improve on it from there. Will it drop right in and everything work? This is a daily driver so I need to make I have everything before I do the swap. Will the electra oil pan fit my skylark chasis? What do I need for the turbo 400 to work? Thanks, Mack
my 67 gs ran a 14.3, launching at approx 1000 rpm, with a basically bone stock 76 455. i rebuilt a 73 q-jet, and recurved the dist. other than that its completely stock. behind it is a th400 and 2.93's with a worn posi and 195 series tires. nhra states the car has 205 hp, but obviously its the torque number thats more important here. the car is getting some body and suspension work done and stickier tires, i have no doubt that itll be in high 13's without any engine mods.
Definatly worth the $400 in my opinion seeing as I spent that much on a block and tranny in much worse condition than what your describing, same year and everything. Just found a '64 Lark for $400 bucks too.
I don't know the answer myself, but has anyone found the answer to Mack's question about the oil pan from the electra clearing everything on the Skylark?
i think my 455 came from an electra but im not certain, it fit without any problems. i think that riv oil pans are different though.
Well that makes sense about the oil pan...the man that bought it bought it for a riveria and the oil pan didnt work as I understand. He had about 8 riverias and is in the hospital now dying of cancer. Sorry all the riverias are sold already but I want to do these guys a favor, they need the money right now. The lady was just trying to give it to me but I dont wanna screw them over in their time of need. Is there anything I should do with the engine out or not? Ive heard about some oil pump booster or something? What do I need to drop it in? Thanks joejbal thats really the info I need to know! I just need to know what parts to get to make it where I can just drop it in. I need different front springs right? What about radiator hoses, motor mounts, powersteering hoses, a/c hoses, shifter linkage, driveshaft, kickdown assembly, tranny crossmember? Thanks, Mack
