455 swap help

SPYDER · November 12th, 2007, 05:00 PM

hey everyone

.helllppppp, lol

..its a 1980 cutlass salon, with a 3 speed manual on the floor.........................what do i need to bolt the 455 up to the 3speed, im pretty sure its a saignaw, oh, and, its a buick 455 out of a 75 riviera gs, thanks

November 13th, 2007, 12:54 AM

you're going to need to find a turbo-400 transmission to hold back a 455..even if it is a buick motor i'd say.

joe_padavano · November 13th, 2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar83501

you're going to need to find a turbo-400 transmission to hold back a 455..even if it is a buick motor i'd say.

The Dearborn (aka Ford Toploader) three speed was the factory base trans behind the big block in the 68-70 442s. This particular car probably has the weak Saginaw three speed.

SPYDER · November 13th, 2007, 03:22 PM

i think it has a turbo 400 on the 455.......but id like to keep the car manual, i was told a saiginaw would take around 400hp for a bit before it died...not true?....then id have to swap....m22 maybe.....why make a rare factory manual car an auto.....

long term plans = new trans, 9 inch,aluminum heads ect....but id just like to get it running in there with the stock heads and what 250 hp or whatever it is

J-(Chicago) · November 13th, 2007, 03:55 PM

I don't know about Buick motors, but I believe Oldsmobile 455 blocks after 1972 do not have a hole for the ball pivot in the back of the block, and therefore must be machined to accept a manual transmission.

Olds64 · November 13th, 2007, 04:37 PM

If you have a Buick 455 with a TH 400 then you will have to get the crank machined and install a clutch on your flywheel. I believe the flywheel is different for a manual transmission.

joe_padavano · November 13th, 2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olds64

If you have a Buick 455 with a TH 400 then you will have to get the crank machined and install a clutch on your flywheel. I believe the flywheel is different for a manual transmission.

I don't know if Buick drilled cranks for the pilot bearing or not, but a manual trans flywheel is definitely required. An automatic uses a flexplate.

November 12th, 2007, 05:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPYDER Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	455 swap help hey everyone .helllppppp, lol..its a 1980 cutlass salon, with a 3 speed manual on the floor.........................what do i need to bolt the 455 up to the 3speed, im pretty sure its a saignaw, oh, and, its a buick 455 out of a 75 riviera gs, thanks

November 13th, 2007, 03:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,697	I don't know about Buick motors, but I believe Oldsmobile 455 blocks after 1972 do not have a hole for the ball pivot in the back of the block, and therefore must be machined to accept a manual transmission. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

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November 13th, 2007, 12:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
dar83501 Guest Posts: n/a	you're going to need to find a turbo-400 transmission to hold back a 455..even if it is a buick motor i'd say.

November 13th, 2007, 03:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
SPYDER Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	i think it has a turbo 400 on the 455.......but id like to keep the car manual, i was told a saiginaw would take around 400hp for a bit before it died...not true?....then id have to swap....m22 maybe.....why make a rare factory manual car an auto..... long term plans = new trans, 9 inch,aluminum heads ect....but id just like to get it running in there with the stock heads and what 250 hp or whatever it is

November 13th, 2007, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	If you have a Buick 455 with a TH 400 then you will have to get the crank machined and install a clutch on your flywheel. I believe the flywheel is different for a manual transmission.