1966 Buick Special Swap?

[moredoorbuick]

Hey all,

a few months back I purchased a 1966 buick special as a daily driver, with the 300/2 speed powerglide. The engine's time is almost up, and I am definitely not putting another 300 in it. Are parts more readily available for the 340? I was also thinking about swapping a chev 327 in it. Nobody on this site is going to be happy about me saying that but I'm not a buick enthusiast, so it doesn't bother me having a chevrolet power plant. What all would go into the 327 swap? That's more the way I'm leaning as I have a rebuilt 327 sitting in my shop that came out of my Dad's chevelle. Motor mounts, exhaust, and a trans adapter plate? Thanks in advance

[bob k. mando]

Are parts more readily available for the 340?


the 300ci was in production from 1964-67 while the 340ci was in production from 1966-67. so, no.


www.TAPerformance.com has an aluminum head for the Rover style engines, but that would work on either deck height ( 340 is taller ).

simplest swap would be a Buick 350ci, 1968-82. no alum heads yet but TA has a single plane intake for it. best years would be 1968-70.

the usual replacement is a Buick 455, which would require new engine mounts, new fan shroud and radiator.




I was also thinking about swapping a chev 327 in it.


a Chevy would only match up on 2 bolt holes + the dowels for the trans housing. so you'd need to replace the trans as well.

however, if it's a TH-300 2 speed, you should probably swap that anyways.


also, everything electrical on the Chevy ( distributor, starter ) is physically backwards from the Buick so you'd have a bit of rewiring to do.