i was flirting with the idea of putting together a 455 block for my 72 skylark. currently it has a 350 but i hear its not a hard swap. i was wondering if this would be a good start as far as finding a block, rather then searching through junk yards. http://www.buick-auto-and-parts.com/engines_by_mfg/gm_v8-engines_t---BUI-455LB.html thanks... pete
Jeez that certainly sounds attractive. I have never heard of that website or the company, I wonder if anyone else has?? That seems like a really good price to me for what you get. I am unfamiliar with some of the brand names, could it be that they are the actual manufacturers of the parts that get packaged in boxes that say things like "federal mogul". The only reason I encourage folks to build their engine is the knowledge you gain from doing it, it gives you lots of confidence to fix the darn thing when there's a problem. One thing I would look into if this is a route you want to take, is to contact them about warrantee information such as: let's say you spin a bearing 2500 miles after installation...where do you bring the engine? Who does their work, them or do they farm it out locally? How long would it take on average? Would you have to crate the engine back up and ship it to them? Would it be possible to have a shipper pick up the crated engine at your house, or will they only go to a business address? ~edit: Oh I completely forgot: you need more than just the engine, of course! Correct fan shroud, three or four core radiator and hoses, motor mounts, frame pads and bolts, etc. That's why to me, it was a good deal to buy an entire ratty Buick with a good 455. It had everything I needed from the aircleaner to oil pan, and also things like a new core supprt brace for the radiator (beleive it or not, a '73 Rivs is identical to the metal Skylark one from 70- 72) I also had little things like radiator hoses, which ended up being fine for my Skylark...when I ask for GS hoses, the dude at the parts place looks like I'm speaking French, but when I ask for Riv hoses, he goes and gets 'em. I also got a fan shroud that was correct for the fan I had on the 455 (again, believe it or not, a '73 Riv shroud drops into a 70-72 Skylark core support like it was designed for it) so yeah the engine had no warantee and ended up needing a rebuild 8 years later, but the whole car cost me 300 bucks in 1991 and I got all the little miscellaneous stuff I needed except for frame mount pads. Just something to bear in mind, but that price still sounds good. Don't forget you need more than the engine:TU: The swap was really easy, it took me one day to yank the 350, and the next day I dropped in the 455 in the driveway, in a rainstorm. I was a bigger dummy then than I am now, too:laugh: Do little things like replace the heater core while the engine is out. You'll wish you had, later on.
Donor Car for sale, $1250. Very Strong Running 455 with T400 trans. Fly into Phoenix and drive it back to San Diego with you.
Man, if that's your idea of a donor car, you'd hate to see beaters around here! That's a car that deserves to be restored, not parted:gt:
Chris, I totally agree with you, this car deserves to be restored, unfortunately nobody has been interested in buying it to restore. Triple Black '70 Wildcats are few and far between. I've got lots of service out of this car and it still eats a healthy diet of rice and pony. I haven't been driving it regularly since I got my '63 Wildcat a few months ago and I could use more room/dough for my many other projects. It has potential but it also has some rust issues.
I have a very slight outside chance of someone who's looking for a cool ride who might be interested in the car. He used to have a Fury III, a Dart Swinger, a Super Beetle, and other cool rides, but he's currently saddled with an '81 Dodge Omni :boring: He's a Mopar guy but he wants something a bit more "his style" (He's a tatooed rockabilly type driving a hatchback Omni. Not cool, lol) He would love to have an old car again, and triple black is right up his alley. Of course he's 3 thousand miles away from the car, is the catch. if I find he's interested, I'll PM you with some info. I'd like to buy the car myself, to tell the truth, because I love the Wildcats, but I have nowhere to put it.
I'd like to see this car stay on the road and not butchered for parts. I've had it for about 4 years and it has been a very reliable daily driver for me. I've used it many times to tow my projects from place to place. It seems to me like there is always room for one more car, I've had as many as twelve at one time.
Have you tried eBay? I'm thinking a LOT of people might be searching for a relatively rust-free 'Cat like this one - esp 3XBlack. Especially for the price you're talking... How is it optioned?
Options include Power Windows, A/C, Tilt Wheel, Maplight Mirror, AM/FM Radio, Posi...... I may eventually put it on EBay? How much do you think it would go for?
well ya got me thinking now. i could easily drive it to my moms hows in the imperial valley. if you still have it durring winter and i have the money by then ill take it :grin: too hot and not enough money right now. my girlfriend is dragging me to ikea to buy an entertainment center. pete
