I'm assembling a 455 to go in my 63 convertible and while putting the lifters in noticed through the valley that they didn't exactly line up the the lobes on the camshaft. Probably a dumb question, but are they supposed to be that way? Thanks.

 

Do you mean that the lobes of the cam are not centered on te lifters?

That's the way they're supposed to be - the cam hits about half the lifter, this causes the lifter to rotate constantly, which evens and reduces wear.

- Eric

 

Agreed

Now, how you get a 455 hooked up in a '63...?

 

I figured that was how it was meant to be, but thought I'd better ask anyway. Haven't got it in the 63 yet, but will be using the 455 and a TH400 transmission. Will have to fabricate side mounts for the engine and rear crossmember for the transmission. Have put up with the "slim-jim" as long as I want to and since nothing else will work with the 394, out it goes.

 

I was thinking 63 F-85 when reading this. That would have been a much harder fit. Post pictures if you can. I would love to see a thread on the conversion.

 

Yeah - these have the reputation of being a "fun" swap because the trans. hump has to be enlarged to fit the "non-slim" TH400.

- Eric