310 V8 -> 401 Nailhead Engine Swap

[skylark65310]

I own a 1965 Skylark 2 door with a 310 v8 in it and I'm planning to do a engine swap with a 1964 Wildcat 401 Nailhead. I don't know if it works since it has been sitting in a barn (that collapsed a year ago that dropped it to the body panels) for the past 20 years. I'll need to get a new air cleaner for sure and I'll have to have the carb rebuilt with other parts to spruce it up(valve covers, oil pan, hoses, conversion motor mounts, etc.). The guy said $200, which seems good. What would it be like if I got this thing up and running and what is anyones thought on the Nailhead in a cruiser? Email me and I'll send pictures ASAP so that you can give your opinion. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

skylark65310@hotmail.com

[wildcat68]

Skylark,
Good luck making it fit :mad:
You'll need GS specific oil pan( rear sump)
GS specific motor AND frame mounts
GS specific exhaust manifolds
GS specific radiator

The engine wont clear the suspension without the rear sump pan
The exhaust manifold wont clear the firewall
The motor and frame mounts are completely different( you can make these- lots of labor)
The radiator has completely different tanks
the lower hose goes in the drivers side
These parts were changed by BUICK
to build the GS in 65&66
The Gs parts are interchageable
Take it from experience( 401 in a 65 sportwagon)
You'll need to find some of these parts to doo this swap

[Ted Nagel]

What he said!

WIldcat 68, I saw a 65 SportWagon @ the GS nats a few years ago with a nailhead and dual quad setup- Was that yours? Any pictures? Do you ever come through Cincy? I put a 455in my Wagon, it was still lots of work but not that much!

Ted

[wildcat68]

Ted
That was my wagon- blue and white
I've got some pics of it- even some with the Blackhawk!!!!
I come to Cincy every once in awhile
You going to the Buick Nats?
If you are come on up, we'll caravan
I'm taking my 64 wildcat 4-speed
My 64 Wildcat hardtop,
and my 70 Wildcat 2dr hardtop

[Ted Nagel]

Too Cool! Yes, I'm planning the trip with my '65 4-speed Wildcat convertible and a dual quad '65 convertible. How are you getting 3 cars up there?

Ted

[wildcat68]

Ted,
I'm driving one, dad is driving another, and a friend of mine is Driving another.
We also have a couple of friends one who is taking their all original 23,000 mile 67 skylark,
and another guy who is taking his 70 Riv GS and his 67 riv.
If you want, you can meet us up here and we can all caravan together
Jon