Dropping 454 in my '64 Wildcat

[jeffsguitars]

This may seem sacrilegious to the Buick enthusiast, but I've decided to drop a Chevy 454 into my 64 Wildcat. I've been through two Nailheads now and I don't have the money or the desire to go through it all again with another Nailhead. Any hints from anyone who's done this on motor mounts, oil pan, exhaust headers vs manifolds etc. would be greatly appreciated.

[kimb82]

Booo!!

Throw a 455 in it, it is better than a 454!!
Myself and another member are doin the 455 swap, you should join us and do the same.

[jeffsguitars]

Man, I already have the 454. Let me clarify that I have been a Pontiac and Buick guy forever. But, I drive my cars so dependability is a factor as well as accuracy. I have spent the last 15 years being loyal to my cars originality, searching and scratching for rare and expensive parts. Everywhere I look I find Chevy parts for a fraction of the cost along with an abundance of choices and availability. I decided to give it a shot. There are some grey areas though that I could really use some help with. Hoping someone on this site can fill in the blanks.

[lentzjj]

unfortunatly 454 is cheap to build compared to 455. Just like anything chevy vs buick. I am trying to do a 348 swap to my 62 lesabre and I am finding I am on my own. Buick guys wont help caus its a chevy engine and chevy guys dont care caus its a buick car. Why does everyone want there cars to be like everyone elses. I say do it up. Make if differn't oil pans gonna be a problem but there has to be a way.

keep thinkin outside the box

[diesel]

what about all the extra weight you will put on the front springs and the breaks for stopping ?

[pilottom]

If I was going to do that swap, which I wouldn't, but that's beside the point; I think I would start by bolting on the 454 motor mounts, bolt the frame mounts to them, and then drop that preferably with the transmission bolted to the engine into the empy engine compartment and wherever the frame mounts locate on the frame rails, weld them there. That's a simplified start of course because you would have to locate the engine front to year to have the transmission line up with the crossmember. A custom driveshaft might be needed. As far as exhaust, stock manifolds would seem to be the easiest. That's my two cents worth anyway.

[jeffsguitars]

Thanks Pilottom!!

[Bob]

I think when you go cross brand, there are just a lot fewer people who have the experience you want to tap into.

Good luck!

[WildKitty]

ya might run into a fan space problem, I think the 454 is longer than the 455 - I'm putting a 455 into my 64 LeSabre, and in anticipation of the squeeze, because Im planning on using a 4 core radiator, I'm also planning on dual electric fans - lots of room in front of the radiator.

I sold my motorhome that had a 454 innit - with only 20K miles onnit - the guy didn't want the motorhome - he bought it just for the engine.
good luck on the install; you'll have to get a T-shirt with on one side and =/=/= (chevy) on the other
Butch

[lentzjj]

your 64 had the 400 trans in it? YOu might just be lucky enough for the splines on the driveshaft be the same i would install the drive shaft before you weld in the mounts. If you can move the engine a inch or two and use your stock drive you would be money ahead. Also is your 64 steering behind the front crossmember? my 62 is. Oil pan is going to be your biggest problem caus chevys typically have rear sump with the steering in front of the crossmember. I am planning on custom making my oil pan for the 348(should be fun). a center sump pan doesent exsist for it to my knowledge.