455 Olds engine swap into 56' Olds

Retrorocket88 · 02-18-2007, 08:05 AM

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to swap a 455/400 combo into a 56' Olds? I am considering installing a more modern set up in my 56'Olds. The car is a basket case, so I'm not cutting up a "good" car.

2blu442 · 02-18-2007, 12:50 PM

Here's something to consider then.... about 20 years ago I bought some sheetmetal from a 1970 Vista Cruiser wagon. The owner had stripped the body off the frame and put about a 1956 Buick 2 door body on it. He claimed that all he needed to do was build body mounts to match the frame. That the wheelbase and width was just right, that the steering column even came through at the right angle to work with the dash. So at a glance, he had a nice old Buick but with late model drivetrain, steering and brakes. If you have the time to do a little research this could be an easy way to make a fun street rod. John

hurricane · 02-22-2007, 07:42 AM

i got a 455 in my 57 and a R400 TRANS NO PROBLEM go for it if you can't yous ypu cross member you can fab one here is a pic of my 57

Retrorocket88 · 02-22-2007, 05:40 PM

How hard was it to do? Someone told me the engine mounts on the frame are in the same location of a 455. What about a cross member for the trans? Do I use one from a newer car?

64Rocket · 02-28-2007, 07:01 PM

Hello

when I put a '70 OLDS 350 in my '50 OLDS coupe, I used a universal engine mount from J.C. Whitney. It is tubular and banana shape. I used the stock rubber mounts for the '70 350. The mount used the stock thru bolt for the rubber mount. I also made a trans mount out of 2" channel and welded tabs on each end. Moved the engine as close to the firewall as possible, cut the brkts and leveled the engine and drilled and bolted in everything.
Gene

Retrorocket88 · 03-01-2007, 05:15 AM

Sweet! Thanks Gene! Nice car by the way!

Oldsguy · 03-01-2007, 06:22 AM

Gene, nice looking car!

Don't know about the mid fifties, I know that after '49 with the introduction of the V-8 things changed but on my '48 (orginally straight six) the engine mounted to the frame off the front. So when I put a 455 in the '48 I will have to fab a cross support like you mentioned. Didn't know J.C. Whitney sold them. Cool, I check into that.

02-18-2007, 08:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Retrorocket88 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 18	455 Olds engine swap into 56' Olds Does anyone know how difficult it would be to swap a 455/400 combo into a 56' Olds? I am considering installing a more modern set up in my 56'Olds. The car is a basket case, so I'm not cutting up a "good" car.

02-18-2007, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 865	455 in Vintage Olds Here's something to consider then.... about 20 years ago I bought some sheetmetal from a 1970 Vista Cruiser wagon. The owner had stripped the body off the frame and put about a 1956 Buick 2 door body on it. He claimed that all he needed to do was build body mounts to match the frame. That the wheelbase and width was just right, that the steering column even came through at the right angle to work with the dash. So at a glance, he had a nice old Buick but with late model drivetrain, steering and brakes. If you have the time to do a little research this could be an easy way to make a fun street rod. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

02-28-2007, 07:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
64Rocket Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Union City Calif.94587 Posts: 63	Hello when I put a '70 OLDS 350 in my '50 OLDS coupe, I used a universal engine mount from J.C. Whitney. It is tubular and banana shape. I used the stock rubber mounts for the '70 350. The mount used the stock thru bolt for the rubber mount. I also made a trans mount out of 2" channel and welded tabs on each end. Moved the engine as close to the firewall as possible, cut the brkts and leveled the engine and drilled and bolted in everything. Gene __________________

03-01-2007, 06:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 2,990	Gene, nice looking car! Don't know about the mid fifties, I know that after '49 with the introduction of the V-8 things changed but on my '48 (orginally straight six) the engine mounted to the frame off the front. So when I put a 455 in the '48 I will have to fab a cross support like you mentioned. Didn't know J.C. Whitney sold them. Cool, I check into that. __________________ Dan '46 2 door

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02-22-2007, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
hurricane Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	i got a 455 in my 57 and a R400 TRANS NO PROBLEM go for it if you can't yous ypu cross member you can fab one here is a pic of my 57

02-22-2007, 05:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Retrorocket88 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 18	How hard was it to do? Someone told me the engine mounts on the frame are in the same location of a 455. What about a cross member for the trans? Do I use one from a newer car?

03-01-2007, 05:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
Retrorocket88 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 18	Sweet! Thanks Gene! Nice car by the way!