64 Special..Rebuild or new engine??

[O'Lucky1]

Hello to all! I am new the site and this is my first restoration. I Have a few questions so I thought I would ask the guys that know. Picked up a 64 special with the original 300 and has 100k miles and has been parked for the past 18 years. Looking for a nice toy for the weekends and not looking to raceor do a frame off restore. So do I rebuild the 300 or maybe put a 350 or 455 in it? Does the 300 have enough umph just from stock?? I unfortunately have limited knowledge about most of this and I am learning as I go. I think I would like a 455 in it but from what year car am I looking to get an easy swap? Not looking to change it all up but probably the easier the better. I am very excited and I think I got bit by the bug! Just looking for some guidance and pickin your guys brains. Please let me know your thoughts!
Thanks for your time.

Patrick O
Cleveland, Ohio

[68gscali]

i say 455 all the way!as far as what year will be the easiest,all your big blocks(455,430,400) are going to be pretty much the same.you just need to find out what frame mounts will work.with a little fabrication and some patience you can probably make yours from your car work.the oil pan may be another issue,but i think your only choices for a stock one are rear sump or mid sump.if you find a motor from a donor car make sure you get as many of the brackets as you can(alt.,power steering,ect.) hope this helps,good luck and keep us posted

[bob k. mando]

a Buick turbo 231v6 might almost be an easier drop in.

is this the 4v / alum intake or do you have a 2v on there? www.TAPerformance.com has performance alum heads for these in the works. should be out within the year.


about the big blocks, i agree. pretty much all of them are the same as far as swap difficulty. stay away from the 75-76 engines unless you intend to throw the heads away and buy new alums. 1970 455 would be best if you intend to run it as stock, 1971-74 455 or 1967-69 430 are the next best thing.

aside from frame pads and engine mounts you'll also need a new fan shroud for the BBB.