my engines all ready, hoping to drop it in thursday night. its a 1974 apollo with a 455 out of an electra, all rebult. I have the electra mounts and manifolds. My question is what do you guys do for mounts? should i just weld them onto my car or?
To tell you the truth, I don't remember. My 455 has been in my Apollo for 16 years. I do remember using the 455 mounts and almost think they fit right in place of the 350 mounts....don't hold me to this though.
455 mounts are mounted forward of the 350 due to the length of the engine. I would locate them and if you cannot drill them I would weld them in
I would probably start with setting the engine and trans into place without the frame mounts and find where they need to set. Then you might have to fab a set of frame mounts to set the engine right where you wan it. Nothing good is easy. There are some guys that have done this Marvin Marksberry for one. Ask for some pics of their mount set up. Maybe you can use the 350 frame part and just drill new holes. I think this is a worth idea so take your time and get that 455 in place the right way. I helped a guy put a 460 into a 68 fastback and it took some work but it was well worth it. We made some mounts from the old big car frame mounts.
Check out this sticky on the V8 Regal forum,the general idea of the swap in the Regal will apply to your Apollo.Good luck with it. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=66510
I can see if I can actually get a picture off and look at the mounts one night this week, but I can say with 100% certainty that either the 350 or 455 mounts were used without much hassle. No fabrication of mounts is required. I just don't remember if they were drilled or welded. Also know, that with a 455 in an Apollo, the motor will take up nearly the entire engine bay. Don't expect more than 2 or 3 inches gap anywhere...ray:
Your X-body is different than my X-body, so take that for what it's worth, but I wouldn't use Electra frame mounts, it'll likely make the engine sit to high. Though if I recall correctly those mounts are steel and therefore weld to the frame ok though. I used the cast iron Skylark/GS 455 frame pads and bolted them in on mine. On my car I had to oblong one existing hole in the frame and the others lined right up with existing holes. But a half dozen engines were available for the late seventies X-bodies, so there was a bunch of holes to choose from. Mine sits in there like GM put it there, I never have to fight with the motor mount cross bolts, the original fan shroud worked fine until I broke it with a radiator location modification (which I've since un-done:rant. Clears everything easily, including the Evaporator box and brake booster. Valve cover removal has no interferences, spark plugs are easy to get too, etc.
Motors in! A little tweaking of the 455 mounts, but used the 350 frame pads and just moved them ahead. Lots of clearance everywhere, can change all the plugs easy, transmission is in factory location, orignial fan. Fairly easy swap. Now she just has to be plumbed and its ready to start
When I installed my 455 in the Apollo, I utilized Buick Centrian motor mounts to keep the motor low in the car. The Electra mounts will place the motor high in the car and you will have miminum clearance for an air cleaner. You may have to re-shape/lower the top of the front cross-over to obtain oil pan clearance. I also moved the motor back as close to the firewall as I could get it for weight transfer. You will have to drill new mounting holes or weld the mounts in place. I installed a bare block with transmission and motor mounts attached first and worked out all mounting issues before placing the complete motor in the Apollo. By keeping the motor low, the GS Headers fit better. If you are not required to maintain the "rear-stear" steering box, I would change the steering over to a "rack & pinon" set up. Marvin Marksberry Marksberry1@bellsouth.net
move the motor forward 2 inch fit manifolds to concave in manifold, scribe motor mount with small sharp tool , lift out motor, drill mount lower unit, leave loose till motor mounts are in place on cradle. then tighten. Moving motor forward then requires, short water pump and bells, this works with dual exhaust and no complications on rear gear steer. Mind you must then slide tranny mount forward too, and remount. cut an electra drive shaft for strength and fit NOVA rear mount to axle on electra shaft. pend tranny, if short use small yolk, if long 400 keep electra yolk. remember add you drive shaft loop for safety.
