68ragtop

Hello,
I am interested in swapping a 455 into my 68 Cutlass S. I am interested in finding a thread I saw regarding the details of this swap. Can someone help me with a link....the multiple searches haven't yielded me a very desciptive thread. Thanks! John

J-(Chicago)

pretty straightforward.
It should go right in place of the 350.
Just use the 350 brackets, pulleys ,water pump, and motor mounts.

joe_padavano

What he said. Whatever you do, do not go out and buy "455" motor mounts. In fact, for 1968, the 350, 400, and 455 (as used in the Hurst/Olds) all used exactly the same motor mounts. Many vendors incorrectly list the larger 69-72 mounts as also fitting 1968. They are not correct for 68 and will not fit properly.

You will need the correct A-body exhaust manifolds or headers. The 350 manifolds will bolt up but will be overly restrictive. They also will not put the exhaust flanges in the right place if you want to run a stock-type exhaust system.

1964f-85

I believe you will need to ad a spacer to the powersteerig pump bracket, as I recall from my last swap that bracket is a two piece unit, there is a bolt that hods them together, remove that bolt and then bolt the upper section to the head and the lower section to the block, cut a piece of tubing tith the same I.D. as the bolt to fill the void.
Scott

Redog

The 350 brackets will fit the 455?

I thought the brackets for the 350 where too small

dan2286

The way I understood it was that the older 350 brackets had holes for both the small and big block engines. I know the 307 brackets do not have the holes and maybe the newer 350 brackets dont either, but I am not sure.

joe_padavano

All 1965-1980 brackets will bit both big and small blocks (there was no big block in 1964).

Again, not for 65-80 brackets. 1964 brackets are unique. They are even different between the A-body cars and the Jetstar 88. Also, don't confuse the 64-67 high-mount PS pump brackets with the 68-90 low mount brackets.

J-(Chicago)

citcapp

[quote=joe_padavano;57054]All 1965-1980 brackets will bit both big and small blocks (there was no big block in 1964).

Joe,

Gee, odd I did not know that brackets bit. I have to be careful the next time I mess with them. How many teeth do the have anyway

joe_padavano

[QUOTE=citcapp;57062]Enough teeth to bite my knuckles every time I get close...

68ragtop

Great stuff, thank you. I replaced the radiator earlier this year, along with front springs (along with ball joints and control arm bushings). The car seems to sit on the high side a bit. Do you think I will get away with the radiator (new, but maybe a little undersized) and the currently installed springs?

doc

Thanks for the info!!

f-85

If its a 4 core the you should be fine. But a 3 core might run hot. What trans do you have? If its the th350 be easy on it. Stock th350s dont like abuse from a BB. Trust me ive been down that road to many times.

68ragtop

The turbo 350 is custom built. The trans guy I used very experienced at race car transmissions and put what he calls "personal touches" on it in addition to a basic shift kit. It shifts very crisply and he feels it will hold up to a big block. If it was a stock, vanilla 350, then I would tend to agree with you.