Has any one put a 455 olds in a 1978 G-body (Regal) with headers? It looks to me like the steering shaft will be in the way? Any advice will be helpful. Thanks

 

You might have to use custom headers or a reporduction BBO dual exhaust manifold from Thorton. They were made for big cars to clear the steering shaft and power steering gear box.

 

I called mondellos and they said they had a set of headers that would fit for $800. I can modify my steering shaft to go around the headers for a fraction of that. I have the motor in the car now, its still lose, just wanted to see what kind of problems i would run into and there is more clearance than i was thinking. I will have to get a remote oil filter for the headers to fit and not really sure if I will have to modify the steering shaft that much. I will take some pics when I get this thing bolted down and post them to see what you think. Thanks for the reply!

 

Thornton makes two different BBO manifold repros, the W/Z manifolds for A-bodies and the dual exhaust manifolds for the B-body cars. I believe you are describing the latter, since the A-body cars use front-steer where the steering box is ahead of the crossmember. G-body cars are the same and the W/Z manifolds work fine on those.

 

The guy I talked to kinda cut me off and with shortness told me that the headers were in 3 pieces on the drivers side. He sounded irritated that I even called so there is no telling what he was trying to sell me. But I know if I have to move the steering shaft over a little I can do that rather than pay $800 dollars for headers when the ones I got come that close.

 

One of the tubes runs around the outside of the frame. A section of that tube is removed, before installation, and is replaced afterward.

http://www.dickmillerracing.com/Kooks_page.htm

Your choice.

Norm

 

I have heard that Mondello is a bad company to do business with. Don't buy their stuff if they treat you like dirt.

Yeah, I knew Thorton made the W/Z manifolds; however, I didn't have any clue that they would fit on a G body. I also thought it might complicate things since it was a Buick Regal (did I understand that right)...

Anyways, what can I say? I am a BIG CAR guy!

BTW, check out their website.

http://www.themotorcompany.com/Manifolds-p-1-c-112.html

 

Sorry man! yea its a 1978 Buick Regal. The guy I got it from spent a lot of money on the car. It had a 403, 400 trans, hedman headers into 2 1/2" duals with flowmasters, B&M ratchet shifter, posi or limited slip with 3:50 gear, good paint but he must have not known about the olds oiling problems because he ran the motor out of oil ruining the main and rod bearings. The crank is still good but it may have to be turned .030 and that may be a little small. So in goes a 455!! I just have to get a remote oil filter and move the steering shaft over a bit. But I'm down to the steering shaft at the moment and off to the salvage yard to find a early 90's jeep steering shaft.

 

Further, the steering arms extend forward of the spindles, and the relay/tie rods push/pull the wheel at a point, forward of the ball joints.

Rear steer is the opposite, with the steering arms trailing the spindle, and the relay/tie rods steering from behind the spindles.

Norm

 

There is no "Olds oiling" problem. The fault lies with either the owner/driver or an incompetent machinist.

That false belief is the reason ten under cranks demand a higher price than twenty, thirty, and forty grinds.

My 437 has been doing just fine with .010" mains and .060" rods.

Norm

 

The oil issues I've heard about were what this guy didn't know about. He had apparently ran the motor at 5000 rpm or better for a while racing it sucking the oil pan dry. About the .030 under crank, I will probably do it but I was told by my father (who has been a ASE master mechanic for 45 years or so) that with the way I drive that a .030 under may be a little small. I have grown up sense then and don't smoke the tires at every stop light so I think a .030 under crank will be fine. Thanks guys for the links.

 

Correct, though the spindles don't really effect the exhaust routing. The steering box location on the 65-70 full size cars is what drives the special dual exhaust manifold.

 

Oldsguy and I fought long and hard to get dual exhaust on his 69 Delta 88 without a reproduction manifold from Thorton (or without running both pipes along the passenger side of the car). As I recall, we did 3 things.

1) We installed a manual steering box on his car from a mid 70s Pontiac Ventura (if I remember correctly). I know he had to have the pitman arm modified.

2) We mounted the engine about an inch higher by putting plate steel spacers in between the motor mounts and the engine.

3) We purchased an exhaust manifold from an early Toronado with a 455 and modified it.

Overall, it was quite a bit of work to get the dual exhaust to fit. Too bad we didn't know about the Thorton manifolds at that time.

 

Well Ive got the (sbo) headers and duals to work and the motor in. I made a steering shaft with 3 u-joints and a pillow block, now I just have to make a bracket and install it. I still have to make some room on the a/c heater box for the right valve cover...got to have my a/c!!! I would like to post some pics, how do I?

 

That is what was done. Lots of work but worth it.

 

I am just trying to see if I can post a picture. Hope u like.
Aww yes it works. How bout a couple more then.



Hope I didn't take up to much room, I have never been on a forum. I will take some pictures of my 455 in the regal now that I know how to post. Don't cus me to bad for cutting the top off my cutlass

 

WOW! That is cool.

 

Ok, got some pics of my Regal with the 455 sitting in it. I still have to do a a lot of work to make it pretty but the motor is in and with a couple more slight mods it will be a driver!
got the headers to work but they get in the way of the steering shaft. In the pic is the first part of a 3 U joint shaft I had to make.

Here is an over all pic. Don't worry its got a bath in its future and some chrome.

Are these G or GA heads?

Another pic of the steering shaft. I used a mid 90's Jeep grand cherokee shaft cuz it had actual U joints and it fit the steering gear.

Just a F motor.

Some slight mods on the a/c box and it clear. Man this motor is big!

I also had to get a remote oil filter. The sbo headers come up to high to clear the filter. This is the car its in.


Tomorrow I install the steering shaft and make a dual exhaust x member, maybe finish my aluminum radiator, will take more pics.

 

Have fun fabricating that shaft to fit. Ingenius idea by the way, using one from a Jeep.

 

Cool pics. Please make sure you keep us updated. I would like to see pics of the steering shaft once you get it in.

 

Okay, I got the steering shaft in and it works as far as I can tell. The bracket the holds the pillow block is kinda ugly but its just to see if it would work. My woman was on me about getting home so I forgot to get pics before i left the shop. I will have the tomorrow! I'm surprized it came together with out any more work than it did! I'm really want to drive this thing, it will be my first big block car

 

Awsome! We look forward to seeing the pics.

 

Okay, here are the pics of the steering shaft. I am in the planning stage for a better looking bracket.



Not going to use the chrome valve covers cuz the one off my 307 are a lower profile and won't touch the a/c box

 

That is petty cool. It is amazing what you can adapt when you put your mind to it. Now we need to know how it drives.

 

Got some more pics, this time with the motor out. took the motor out to finish mods on shaft and headers so I think this is it, I'm going to put this thing together and see how fast it goes.




Now here is where I had to do some work to make it fit. I cut an inch or so off the steering column shaft then cut a groove in it for the clamp bolt then drilled a hole straight though for a retaining bolt. Just in case the clamp bolt decides to slip. But this shaft does work!!!! Let me know if anyone needs one

 

I wonder if a steering shaft like this would be useful in my upcoming project to put a 455 in my 64 98? I anticipate troubles getting the driver's side exhaust manifold to fit properly. I don't know if I will have to use custom headers, a stock manifold, or one of the Thorton reproductions.

Actually, it might not work for me because my 64 98 is rear steer with the pitman arm behind the center link. The power steering box will probably be in the way. I will start a post and keep everyone posted when the time comes. Thanks for the pics and stuff, it is neat to see how other people overcome problems.

 

I probably got the same guy you did when trying to place an order, the guy had an attitude and acted like I was wasting his time when I was brief and already knew what I wanted. I am giving you business you jerk! Screw Mondildo, I hope they read this...

 

Like they're the only Olds specialty people out there!!!

 

If u want to make a steering shaft like that I used a mid 90's jeep grand cherekee and 95 mercury grand marquis shaft. Took the jeep on apart and cut the sleeve down and cut a 2or 3 inch off the part that goes in the sleeve then modified it to fit in the merc u-joint, I had to reshape the merc sleeve to fit the jeep shaft(with a 10,000lb press), I put bolts through everything for safety. I used the jeep ends With a merc u-joint and pillow block in the middle. I don't give the clearest instructions.

 

Excellent work!I would be interested if you ever get around to selling these, I just installed headers in my 84 and am building a big block over the winter for next year. Would be a shame to go back to manifolds. I also would like to get some headers in my 88 without dumping $800 on Kooks.

 

I believe your 64 is similar to my 57 olds. I used the WZ manifolds on my 455 conversion and it cleared the rear power steering box just enough.

 

Thanks, I have considered that as well. I know you can get reproduction W and Z manifolds from Thorton.

 

I can make another one. But I may have to charge $100-$150. The one I made can extend out another 6 or 7 inches and be safe.

 

Since you're a contributer to the cause, I'll give you a set [with a broken ear or 2] if you will pay the freight.

The set comes with an Oklahoma Guarantee.

" If it breaks in half.............you own both pieces"

pm me if you're interested.

 

I got the motor in and running!! And the car steers great!! Have pics and will post them later

 

COOL!

 

Finally got the pics! Remember I just put this thing in so its messy!

I had to use 87 model 307 valve covers to keep from putting a hole in the heater box.

And a remote oil filter to clear the sbo headers.

This is the car its in.

Had to make a different bracket than this one. It looks a lot better but didn't get a pic.

Like I said ... a mess! but I went though the carb and timed it and boy does it run!!!!!

 

Sweet! Have some fun now.

 

I was going to add pics of the black marks it was leaving but the computer wouldn't write the pic.

 

Well it is fun but now I need more power!! I'm looking to rebuild the 455, can anyone tell me which head design is best? I have what i think are GA heads now.