I would like to hear from anyone with tips, tricks, suggestions and/or experience dropping a 455 in a 65 A body car. I'm told it can be done and am well on my way with parts acquisitions. Engine and Turbo 400 are ready along with motor mount pads from T/A Performance to adjust frame angle to accept 455 motor mounts.
The recipient car is a 1965 Buick Special Sport Wagon with factory A/C. Current motor is a 300 V8. After measuring the width and length from the valve covers of the 300 versus the 455 in my 1968 Buick Skylark, it appears it's going to be a very tight fit in the wagon, especially on the passenger side due to the factory air conditioning.
I've ordered front coil springs for 70-72 GS 455 and am putting together the remainder of parts for the engine, suspension and cooling. Any assistance you can offer would be very appreciated. [img]graemlins/banana.gif[/img]
Arthur Throckmorton
Las Vegas, NV
1965 Buick Special Sport Wagon 455
1968 Buick Skylark "GSX 455" Custom
2005 GSCA Slide Show
1960 GMC 1000 Fenderside Long Bed 305A 3-Speed
GMC Guy.com
I am finding out the same way you are that swaps are'nt just swaps. I am in the middle of one myself. I have located a website called americangraffiti.biz that sells a product called an AC Delete box which is necessary if you wanted to remove your AC system from the wagon, and neaten up the firewall side. I was also told you will need a different Alternator bracket for a non-ac car. springs should not be necessary as you would be losing about a ton in AC equipment pounds. Killing the AC might also add room in your engine compartment if that helps any. Who needs AC in Vegas anyway. Good luck. --Joe
Bookmarks