Fletchmo72

Wondering how a '70 Buick 455 compares with an Olds of the same year. And whether I could drop that Buick 455 into my '72 Cutlass Supreme, which currently has an original 350 motor and 350 trans.
Jack

oldcutlass

The Buick is comprable to the Olds, but is different. As your car is an A body, you would have to treat it like a Skylark or GS and use the frame brackets and engine mounts for a Buick. It is basically a bolt in with minor wiring and exhaust changes (you need to use the Buick exhaust manifolds). Your transmission should bolt up, but I think you'll need the Buick torque convertor.

svnt442

Torque converter is the same.

oldcutlass

Thanks for the clarification, wasn't sure the bolt pattern was the same to the flex plate.

CRUZN 66

Buick starter location is opposite the 455 Olds... Left side for Olds & right for Buick...

oldcutlass

Falls under minor wiring changes. Just as the distributor is in the front of the engine.

I did forget the fuel pump is on the opposite side though.

Fletchmo72

Thanks, All, for that info on the Buick 455. I saw some posts elsewhere comparing the Pontiac, Buick, and Olds versions of the 455. The Olds was (gasp) considered the least desirable due to a "longer stroke" and other technical issues. I don't know if they know what they're talking about. But does anyone have thoughts on the merits or considerations of using a non-Olds motor?

oldcutlass

I don't understand your question on "thoughts on the merits" part?

CRUZN 66

Well then, let's also not forget the minor relocation of the battery tray to do the task correctly...

oldcutlass

That's not a necessity, the cable and purple wire can be extended to route to the starter along the firewall and drop down behind the right side head.

Octania

Crossed starter wires, crossed fuel lines....


Might need a donor GS car.


if the Dist'r is at the front, how is the oil pump driven and where is the sump? I have seen ford motors with a fwd sump.

Fletchmo72

Thanks again. I found a '70 Buick wagon with a 455/4 barrel, in great shape with very low miles. I like the car on its own merits. But also thought I might swap motors someday: My 350 into the wagon, 455 into my '72 Cutlass.

oldcutlass

Seems like a lot of work...

quaddriver

oil pump driven the same way, on the other side of the dizzy via a driveshaft...and sump is handled by the pickup tube which will be correct for the donor motor.

as for desirability, I would rank buick the last and pontiac first - simply because the aftermarket was kinder to pontiac 455's

unless you found a gs stage car, the 455 is designed to never see much above 3500 rpm and pull around a 5500lb car....for hp numbers from buick, I liked the 430 better....

quaddriver

great demo derby car...but if the body is mostly rust free, a great restore project....