I have pulled and started the teardown of the 455 that was in the silver car. It'll go to Mark as soon as we can hook up and talk about a build plan. Mostly, I wanna get the shortblock done while his main machinist is still doing these. He is retiring at the end of the year.
The start:

The process:






The aftermath

Even though I am going roller cam, I kept the flat tappet camshaft that was in there since it was a nice cam and performed very well (and only had probably 3 hours run time on it). I kept the lifters in order and they are in marked individual bags. This is in case anyone wants to buy it or if I end up using it for something...

I will update as it progresses.

 

Dropped off the block, crank and caps with Mark today. Always nice to go to his shop and shoot the shiit.
It has started!

Going with new Edel heads. Performer intake with the center divider cut down. Roller cam (of course). I'll let Mark chime in since I have already forgotten the pistons he is going with now and also the most likely cam selected (we talked about). I knew I should have taken notes...

 

Also, Edel heads are on sale at Scummit saving $367.04 for a pair. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on those today.

 

Sounds awesome, that sucks on his machinist retiring, probably not easy to replace. Your car is the nicest H/O tribute I have seen. I almost bought a kit on Ebay 20 years ago for like $300. This should really haul *** and good luck on the build.

 

Nice car. Dr Watson Aero kit look like it was well installed. That rebuilt engine will wake up that car. I have two question if you do not mind. How are you going to keep the frame and body from twisting. For the added toque and horsepower? And that has to be the first time I seem the engine remove on a late cutlass without removing the hood. I see you are petty tight to the intake. The oil pan had to be close to hitting the head panel. As in came out. Still working on putting my new engine in. I was going to remove the hood. Thanks

 

Thanks and thanks!
Thanks for the compliments guys.
The T-top body twisting issue was mitigated in the original build of the car with a hoop and two down bars through the package tray speaker holes. Can't even see the roll bars when standing outside the car.
The hoist lift bar being tight to the intake with a short chain and a carb lift plate makes not removing the hood possible. Care was taken to not hit the header panel haha. It's kind of close, but not bad at all. I should have gotten a pic of it hovering over the header panel. I have done this swap without removing the hood multiple times now and it saves a lot of time. <Rob Schneider voice>You can do it! I'll get a pic of that when I go to reinstall.

 

Edelbrocks in house and on my shelf awaiting the short block build. I hope to have this all back together again over Christmas vacation.
Can't wait!