455 into a G-Body

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old January 22nd, 2010 | 05:17 PM
  #1  
Schober Motorsports's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 107
From: Chicagoland Area
455 into a G-Body

Alright I want all advice, anything that would help me out with this. From what I've read I see that if I get the 307 motor mounts that it would work. So I'm looking to also use a Th400 trans and I know that the rear end will need to be upgraded. So anyone who has done this or done research on this, what will I have to do to make this work! Thanks!
Old January 22nd, 2010 | 08:56 PM
  #2  
Cameo White's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 644
From: Chicago, IL
Smile

Might post at Oldspower.com as well. Lots of G-body guys over there, many of whom have researched/contemplated/done a similar swap.
Old January 22nd, 2010 | 09:47 PM
  #3  
70 cutlass s's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,489
From: KY
Yes the motor mount from the 307 will work. You will need the crossmember from one that had an 200R4 for the th400 to bolt in.

If you can find an 8.5 rear end that would be the way to go. If do find one you will also need the drive shaft because the drive shaft is one inch shorter than the 7.5 rear end.

The 8.5 are getting a little hard to find. They came in Grand Nationals and 442. If you use your rear end if it's the 7.5 you can get gears and carrier and maybe a posi unit out of an S-10 rear end and have it installed into yours.
Old January 22nd, 2010 | 11:31 PM
  #4  
svnt442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,249
From: Palm Bay, FL
I had a 455/th350 in an 80 (for a month...rod bearing went...D'OH!) and it fit like a glove. It was an easy swap due to the use of the th350. I didn't have to worry about the crossmember or the driveshaft so that was a plus. It dropped down on the 260 mounts like it was finally home. Heck I even bolted it up to the stock exhaust because I didn't have the money at the time for custom work to be done to make a dual set up for it and the only headers that were out at the time were hooker super comp engine swap headers that had 2" primary tubes and required trimming of the lower control arm mounts to fit. Not to mention they were over $700 (in 1993....OUCH!!!) so that was WAY out of the budget.
All in all it's pretty straight forward, but I'm pretty sure you're at the very least looking at a custom driveshaft due to the th400, but that can be done without too much out of pocket.
Old January 23rd, 2010 | 09:16 AM
  #5  
racing8up's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
the 455 fits nice in a g body the 455 is 1.34 inches taller but not a prob it will fit nice you will need to use a bigger radiator like a 4 core or get a after market your 7.5 rear will hold up to the power ... i would run a 342 gear nice cruise and street racing gear any more q,s just ask ive put several 455s in g bodys in fact ive used about every type of gm motor in a g body the best one was a 472 caddy in a 79 cutlass
Old March 31st, 2014 | 04:43 AM
  #6  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by racing8up
the 455 fits nice in a g body the 455 is 1.34 inches taller but not a prob it will fit nice you will need to use a bigger radiator like a 4 core or get a after market your 7.5 rear will hold up to the power ... i would run a 342 gear nice cruise and street racing gear any more q,s just ask ive put several 455s in g bodys in fact ive used about every type of gm motor in a g body the best one was a 472 caddy in a 79 cutlass
Old March 31st, 2014 | 04:59 AM
  #7  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
hope i can get some help ,i have a 83 hurst olds sand blasted frame,body, fenders ect . in the frame sitts a 425-m20 with those taller valve covers because of using roller rockers .i was just told be someone my HEATER AC BOX will hit . will a normal big block with factory valve covers work ? and can those taller china crome ones work to ? i just discovered the moter is in the way of putting the box in. i might just re lift the body off the frame to install box before lighning up doors,fenders ,hood ect. and paint.P.S using factory intake WILL MY HOOD CLEAR ? maby a lower air filter ? i would like to use a the factory hurst hood. thanks for the help
Old March 31st, 2014 | 08:09 AM
  #8  
svnt442's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,249
From: Palm Bay, FL
You either need to modify the airbox or you can use tall gaskets with the stock valve covers to make it clear. The tall ones won't clear witht the stock airbox.
As far as the hood goes it will depend on your intake and air cleaner/filter combo. I can tell you the factory carb and manifold fit fine in the 80 I had.
Old March 31st, 2014 | 10:08 AM
  #9  
Kennybill's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,972
From: Braceville, Ohio
The heater/ac doesn't "have" to be altered. There's a Toro intake for sale now that can help with hood clearance. Imo they flow good. Also imo the Oldsmobile engineers knew a little more than some give them credit for. Ken
Old March 31st, 2014 | 06:21 PM
  #10  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by Kennybill
The heater/ac doesn't "have" to be altered. There's a Toro intake for sale now that can help with hood clearance. Imo they flow good. Also imo the Oldsmobile engineers knew a little more than some give them credit for. Ken
you are telling me what i want to here ,i will lift the body install air box and lower , we will see. the intake was machined to fit the heads and block perfect .we all know when milling block and heads things change . the moter left the shop perfect .68 cast 455 intake ,68 q jet carb modified on a slightly built 425 . i hope this all comes together ...any other info would be great...
Old March 31st, 2014 | 06:21 PM
  #11  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by Schober Motorsports
Alright I want all advice, anything that would help me out with this. From what I've read I see that if I get the 307 motor mounts that it would work. So I'm looking to also use a Th400 trans and I know that the rear end will need to be upgraded. So anyone who has done this or done research on this, what will I have to do to make this work! Thanks!
Old March 31st, 2014 | 06:25 PM
  #12  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
i have a 8.5 g body rear with new 410,s and posi,also have a 200r cross member that will work on your th400 ,also have new 400 drive shaft that went inbetween . e mail if you want
Old April 1st, 2014 | 07:36 AM
  #13  
yjmud's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8
For The Money Do A 9 Inch Ford Rear
Old April 1st, 2014 | 07:56 AM
  #14  
J-(Chicago)'s Avatar
Seasoned beater pilot.
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,468
From: Chicago
I'm here to point out that this thread is from 4 years ago.
Old April 1st, 2014 | 08:24 AM
  #15  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,407
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by J-(Chicago)
I'm here to point out that this thread is from 4 years ago.
Yes, but User 83-425 resurrected it with a new question that actually is pertinent.
Old April 1st, 2014 | 09:17 AM
  #16  
J-(Chicago)'s Avatar
Seasoned beater pilot.
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,468
From: Chicago
Oh, now I see.....
Pertinent is good. Carry on, men.
Old April 5th, 2014 | 03:49 PM
  #17  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by Kennybill
The heater/ac doesn't "have" to be altered. There's a Toro intake for sale now that can help with hood clearance. Imo they flow good. Also imo the Oldsmobile engineers knew a little more than some give them credit for. Ken
i installed the heater box ( w ac ) .i tapped the pcv inner baffel on the valve cover to clear the rocker assy.and the corner is still in the way. these are 66 425 covers .MABY a g bodt 307 valve cover is sculpted a little different ?? and may work.i want to keep the ac going and modified the sbo brackets to work great . this is the only thing holding me back.
Old April 5th, 2014 | 04:39 PM
  #18  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,407
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by 83-425
i installed the heater box ( w ac ) .i tapped the pcv inner baffel on the valve cover to clear the rocker assy.and the corner is still in the way. these are 66 425 covers .MABY a g bodt 307 valve cover is sculpted a little different ?? and may work.i want to keep the ac going and modified the sbo brackets to work great . this is the only thing holding me back.
The 307 valve covers are shaped just like any other Olds valve cover. The only difference is five bolt holes vs. 10 (the blank spots for the missing five are still there, just not drilled). Have you looked at the 68-72 notched valve covers?
Old April 5th, 2014 | 08:05 PM
  #19  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
The 307 valve covers are shaped just like any other Olds valve cover. The only difference is five bolt holes vs. 10 (the blank spots for the missing five are still there, just not drilled). Have you looked at the 68-72 notched valve covers?
i got the original 1983 307 v covers off moter and there is a big diff in shape .these covers are angled in quit a bit more on the lower ends to miss hitting the box. they fit great with the heater box , 5/16 clearence .drilling holes not a problem. Dont know why i did not think the valve covers that were made for the car would work. p.s what are notched covers ??
Old April 6th, 2014 | 07:21 AM
  #20  
RetroRanger's Avatar
72 Olds CS
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,657
Notch valve covers have a recess or angle at the back to add clearance at the brake booster and AC box. They were made specifically for olds BB in A bodies.

I have a pair of notch valve covers for sale if your interested pm me
Old April 6th, 2014 | 09:40 AM
  #21  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,407
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by 83-425
p.s what are notched covers ??


I'd like to see a photo of your 307 valve covers. I've got three 307 motors and the covers are the same shape as those on all my older Olds motors.
Old April 8th, 2014 | 11:08 AM
  #22  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
Originally Posted by joe_padavano


I'd like to see a photo of your 307 valve covers. I've got three 307 motors and the covers are the same shape as those on all my older Olds motors.
Old April 8th, 2014 | 11:11 AM
  #23  
83-425's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 76
From: maryland
i send a photo, i guss it did not get to you .e mail me directly or tell me how to attach ? not good with computers roadliner@verizon.net
Old April 16th, 2014 | 06:08 PM
  #24  
vista461's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 81
From: S.E. WI
Later ones are different than early ones. I think the change was about 1973. With later ones my 455 fit fine in an 86 442 I had. No clearance issues with the a/c box.
Old April 22nd, 2014 | 06:02 PM
  #25  
88hurstolds's Avatar
www.gbodyolds.com
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 593
From: Chicago
Here's my build, some info on the intake and air cleaner:

http://www.gbodyolds.com/forum/showt...hp?99-455-Swap
Old June 26th, 2021 | 09:54 AM
  #26  
BigMike1228's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1
Frame mounts

Originally Posted by racing8up
the 455 fits nice in a g body the 455 is 1.34 inches taller but not a prob it will fit nice you will need to use a bigger radiator like a 4 core or get a after market your 7.5 rear will hold up to the power ... i would run a 342 gear nice cruise and street racing gear any more q,s just ask ive put several 455s in g bodys in fact ive used about every type of gm motor in a g body the best one was a 472 caddy in a 79 cutlass
I am trying to put a 1970 455 in a 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Do you know which mounts I would need to make this work? I am about to lose my mind trying to find the right ones. Your help and advice is greatly appreciated
Old June 26th, 2021 | 10:35 AM
  #27  
joe_padavano's Avatar
Old(s) Fart
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48,407
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by BigMike1228
I am trying to put a 1970 455 in a 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Do you know which mounts I would need to make this work? I am about to lose my mind trying to find the right ones. Your help and advice is greatly appreciated
The Monte is the same chassis as a Cutlass. Use the frame pads for any 1978-1988 A/G-body or 1977-1990 RWD B/C body with an Olds motor (including a 307 or diesel). Note that the frame pads are different RH/LH. Use Anchor 2328 motor mounts with these frame pads.


Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jpc647
Non-Olds Engines
44
December 21st, 2012 08:52 AM
lsutigers93
Non-Olds Engines
11
May 1st, 2012 08:01 AM
Vistabrat72
Chassis/Body/Frame
7
April 2nd, 2012 07:38 PM
Retrorocket88
Eighty-Eight
6
March 1st, 2007 07:22 AM
mjscutlass
Big Blocks
4
November 29th, 2006 07:18 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:24 AM.