Well I cancelled the plans for building up the 350 and decided to go big block so last saturday I brought home a 73 buick 455. Now its time to start collecting parts for a rebuild and saving for machine work. My (new) old cam that I originally bought for my 350 is on its way back to TA in exchange for the 455 version (290-94H). I'll just sell the intake and valve springs on ebay or something no big deal. Although still in the early stages of development I am excited. And there is some great info on here about this swap that I have found already. I cant wait!
What the heck is up with that 75 skylark wormwood? That thing looks cool. Is that thing light? Is a 455 install easy? Yeah, photos transcoupled.
I fitted my nova with a 455. All it took was a big 5 pound ford wrench to get some firewall clearance. I don't know about the Apollo but 1971 nova with a 327 in it weighed 3200. I don't know if that will help or not
thanks jmccart, my skylark weighs about 31-3200 lbs. the 455 install is a very easy swap. and you can use a-body headers with no problems.
I believe a non a\c apollo is around 3200-3300...something like that. I will take plenty of pictures. I got the 455 taken apart down to a short block everything looks great so far. I will take everything to a machine shop and have it cleaned, inspected, spec'ed etc......From what I read, I will definitely need a shoehorn
What year is the apollo the 455 is going into? I have a 74 and a body headers are not a simple swap... Both sides had to be modded to clear the upper control arm on the left side and the steering box on the right side(and that with the 350). The 455 will fit with no issues with exhaust manifolds though. Well limited issues...If you don't want to bash in the firewall the PS pump may conflict with the left upper control arm. The later model sub frame swap would pretty much eliminate all issues....Good luck with your swap.
The later model skylarks do not have the seering box behind the crossmember as in the 73-74 Apollo's. This would make the swap a whole lot easier...
Jim Weise from Trishieldperformance has a complete shortblock for sale that has all new parts, including new TA timingcover and oilpan. Its all new, has not been used in a car yet. And all the parts are now 4 weeks old. Its a real good deal, so give him a call and ask about that shortblock and tell him Robert Noeken gave you the dibs on it.
Its a 73, the green one in my lil picture. Yeah I have read on here that the later subframe is easier to deal with, I have a 75 omega and I was looking at how much easier it would fit in there without that rear steer. I'm still parts collecting so maybe I'll find one in a junkyard or a whole car for cheap. Is the subframe welded anywhere or will it just unbolt and come apart?
I appreciate it! I already have a '73 455 and personally I like the process of taking an old engine and making it new(or rebuilt), rather than just buying a shortblock. Although that would save me time and money but thats no fun!
Cam went back to ta (thanks to them for exchanging it!) to swap to the 455 version and the intake sold on ebay. Sorry I guess I should have checked here first.......from now on, I will do that instead of just going straight to ebay. There is a stock 4 bbl intake off of a 74 regal at my local junkyard but the water outlet bolts were broken off, depending on how badly you need one I could grab it for you. (I'm there just about every friday or sat) Let me know.
Thanks, my Apollo came stock with a 4bbl! Good that you were able to trade and sell the items you didn't need. Cheers Mike
Ok I visited the junkyard and they had two 75-79 novas there. One already had the front grille, bumper, and fenders off exposing most of the sub frame. I was looking at how to remove it and it looks like it just unbolts and will separate from the body. I read somewhere that it was welded onto the body but I couldn't see where that would be. Does anyone know if 75-79 nova sub frames are just bolted onto the body or if infact it is welded on. That would be perfect since they only want $50 for it If I could unbolt a few bolts and drag it home. Also, is my 73 apollo subframe welded as well or will it basically be a unbolt and swap? Is there any other difference in the two different subframes besides the rear steer and bumper mounts, meaning will my fenders and everything bolt back up in the same place and look right? Thank you to all! My 290-94 cam has been on back order for quite some time so I decided to go with a 284-88 which is on the way. And I visited my elected machine shop (HBR Heads By Rick) in Las vegas and my stock heads will be getting rebuilt soon as well as the rest of the machining for the block, crank etc.... So I'm making a little progress.
The 73 front subframe is bolted on, no welds unless someone has modified it with subframe connectors. I would guess that the 75 Nova is bolted on also, but not sure. Make sure you get the longer steering shaft from the Nova. You may have to monkey around with the core support to line up your fenders. The thread called Apollo BBB installation (2-23-2009 last post) has very good info with links to other threads that contain a print of the 75 Nova subframe. A tape measure check should let you know if your core support will sit in the same spot. I hope it is an easy install as I will be doing the same thing, but not for a while. Please keep us posted! Mike
Heck yes, I would pick up the subframe for $50.00. I will have to go hunting for one also. I might speed my Apollo project up a notch to match you so we can share with each other. Mike
