Hello-Let me introduce myself before I ask my questions. I am the proud owner of a 65 Special convertible. My dad bought the car new as a wedding present for my mom. I got it when I turned 16. Between me and my dad, we have used and abused this car for 38 years, and it is time for restoration. Of course, there are lots of issues, but the most pressing at this point is the engine rebuild. The engine needs a 030 overbore. The motor is a 355 Wildcat and has the 11:1 compression. My mechanic wants me to go to 9:1, since he can't find 030 over 11:1 pistons. Any sources to suggest? Also, any suggestions on cams? Carburetor? I want the car to be similar to new, but not necesarily stock. I want it to be drivable as an occasional use vehicle. I'm not going for stock or drag racer, just a fun car to drive. Another need I have is exhaust manifold. Mine are cracked, and I don't trust welding. Are there replacements or headers available anywhere?

Thanks for your help...

I hate to sound like a moron, but I've never heard of a 355. Is that the "wildcat" name for the 340 engine?

-Bob Cunningham

The 355 is a 300 4 bbl. It had 10.25:1 compression in 65 and 11:1 in 64. The heads were aluminum with smaller chambers in 64 and iron with larger chambers in 65. Poston carries headers and speed parts for the 300. Also try Kenne Bell and TA performance for pistons and parts. Egge machine makes outdated cast piston sets at a reasonable price if you are totally stuck.

Thanks for the info, I'll check all that out. Being new to all this, though, I have to admit that I'm not sure how to track those companies down. I may come back for contact information. Fortunately for me, this is the first time in the 20 years I've owned the car I've had to do work to it. Just drive and enjoy!

Here is the contact information: http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/saab/307/poston.html , http://www.kenne-bell.com/contact.asp , http://www.taperformance.com/ , http://www.egge.com/ .

Poston listed cast 300/340 piston sets for $165.

Steve

poston also has a website now with an online catalog
http://www.postonbuick.com/

just a suggestion, and it may be completely wrong, but you may find that pistons for a 231 V6 at std may well fit if you go for a .050" overbore. I'm sure that the V6 was a development of the earlier V8, and the 1960's 225 V6 actually had the same bore and stroke as the 300. If they do fit, you should be able to get a variety of piston types and compression ratios

Thanks for all the help with the pistons. We found a number of sources.

Any ideas on exhaust manifolds?

If you are stuck for exhaust manifolds you may be able to find Range Rover items and fabricate a system back from those ( I'm making a guess that the Range Rover was exported to you guys! )
Best of luck
malc

I have a couple of spare exhaust manifolds for a 300 engine. I'll look to make sure they're not cracked. If you can get me your part no off your originals I would be more than willing to let go of them for a reasonable price if they will fit.

Hey Aaron are you the friend of Matt's I met in Flint? 340 LeSabre? The 64 sounds like a vicious product. I hope to go through Wichita on the way to Plano this year maybe stop by to see Matt. Ted

Ted, I'm Matt's friend that you met. I didn't make the connection with it being you. I you need the manifolds just let me know. I've got a few 65 Special items on ebay righ now. I'm just kind of cleaning out my shop. It's good to hear from you. graemlins/hurray.gif

Thats badjuju66 that needs the manifolds! I'm set, got a 340 GS Cali for my small block car. Ted

:confused: Sorry. It had been a long day at that point. Badjuju66 If you need the manifolds just let me know. If I don't have the right ones I think I know where there are some at in a remote location of a salvage yard outside of Tulsa, OK. I've been pulling Buick parts out of there for the last 12 years. I'm in Tulsa about one a week. So just let me know on the part no.

so sorry myself. Been out of the web board a while. Thanks for the offer on the manifolds, but we came up with a plan B.