My Dilemma

Hey guys; so, I've been searching for a nice and reasonably priced Buick GS 455, I'm pretty particular in the color and options that it needs to have, and I'm not having a lot of luck.

As some might know, I've got a very nice 72 Skylark 350 that's I've considered putting a 455 in.

So, my dilemma is as follows: Do I put 10k (roughly) into swapping everything I'll need to make my car driveable with a 455, and essentially lose that investment down the road (might get back 30% of the money put into it) or do I continue my search for a real GS 455 and spend the extra money and have a solid car and investment for the future or do I search for another car that I'm interested in getting (70 Coronet Super Bee).

I didn't buy my car solely as an investment, I bought it because I fell in love with Buick's, but I'm also smart enough to know that these cars, odds are, are going up in value and purchasing something real will be worth more down the road if I ever choose to sell.

Lastly, I also understand that you don't get back everything you put into a car, but dropping probably close to 10k into a Buick 350-2, now a 350-4, I'd be lucky to get 25-30% back during resale.

Overall, just curious what everyone's thoughts are and what not.

Thanks

- Rob

 

We're are you located at in California
If you really like your current car then go for it.
But if it's always going to bug you that it's not the real deal..then find a nice gs 455 it takes time

 

I would hang onto the 72 Skylark and not mess with it. Keep an eye out for a good, reasonably priced gs 455 or even a good clone. U will probably have to settle for a vehicles without all the options that u want. Remember u can purchase used options like - rallye gauges, am/fm stereo, posi, etc.
Make a list of the fewest options that u must have and go from there. good luck.

 

I'm located in the Bay Area. I like my current car, but I'm not sure I like it enough to throw money away at it. If I spend 10k on dropping a 455 + everything else and the car is worth maybe 15k+/- without it, then really that's 25k. That's a serious amount that could be put on a GS or something else.

 

Be patient, the right (or close to it) GS 455 will come along. It has happened to me more than once. Takes time but they are still changing hands. You just gotta keep looking and then pounce before someone else does.

 

I will be putting up a 1970 Buick GS 455 bench seat 4 speed car and a 1972 GS 455 factory WA6 rear spoiler car very soon.

 

Unless you are not going to lift a finger to do the 455 swap I really don't see where the $10,000 number you're talking about is going for unless you want it to have a high $$ performance build in it. If that's the case then the power of a numbers matching GS 455 may be a bit disappointing to you anyway.

I say build a 455 yourself for the car while you're still enjoying it with the 350 still in it. You can still get a good rebuildable 455 core for $500 or less. About $2 to $3K to rebuild the short block and a couple hundred more to have the heads gone through, and you'll have an engine that runs better than a GS that originally came with a 455!(this is if YOU do the work yourself)

Would be under $1k to have the TH350 gone through to handle the new power, or if the core comes with a TH400 then even less to have it freshened up.

Add an aluminum intake manifold on the engine and the front springs won't even know you swapped engines. Good deals on those come up here every so often, its not like its a part that wears out because of moving parts.


I would say the bottom line would be closer to $4 to $6K for the 455 upgrade if you do the work yourself. You buy a "GS 455" you have to pay for a premium for the car and then after you drive the car with the engine of unknown origin and it quits, you'll have to put another $4 to $6K into the new to you car anyway!(maybe?)

I don't know, maybe its just me but when I buy a 40 to 50 year old car I like to go through the drivetrain myself so I know the car won't let me down and it runs at the level I want it to run When I'm done.

A good running build with recipes would go a long way for resale IMO. But what do I know, I don't buy and drive these cars to resell, I buy them to have fun! GL


Derek

 

I haven't worked on any engine; so working on an expensive engine wouldn't be the smart move for me. Which means, everything from taking the existing motor out to dropping the new one in (and all the additional components needed), would need to be installed by a shop. Here in CA, most shops charge $100-$150/hr. Believe me, if I had the tools or experience to do everything required to complete the swap, I would, but, not knowing much and not willing to risk destroying the car, my only real option is taking it to a shop.

 

The only way to learn how to do something is to actually do it.

You young guys need to carry on the torch and learn how to take care of these cars. Its not rocket science working on the old cars like todays cars are.

Plenty of youtube videos out there that's shows how to do just about everything. Buying tools is funner than handing over your hard earned $$$ to someone to do the simple work on your car that you can easily do yourself. And actually cheaper to buy the tools for just the one job and they paid for themselves plus you still have a pile of $$$ leftover AND you get to keep the tools for the next time!

If you're really afraid to do a job like that take an auto mechanics class for fun to learn how to work on your stuff yourself? That right there is the best advise if you're looking at these hobby cars as an "investment". GL


Derek

 

I hear ya Derek that's how I learned I took it out or apart cleaned it and painted it or replaced it.
I remembered my first small block Chevy motor I had every nut N bolt in a bag labeled now there all over the place.
It's crazy fun love the car hobby

 

Besides I'll bet there are a lot of members who would be willing to talk you through any thing you run into that you can't accomplish.

You tube video s are really helpful as someone already mentioned.

Each time I get into "redoing " a car I find myself getting deeper and deeper. Why? Cause I've already done the previous stuff.

It is a hobby.

 

"Car friends" don't mind helping. At least mine don't, nor would I.