455 Olds engine swap into 56' Olds

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old February 18th, 2007, 08:05 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Retrorocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
455 Olds engine swap into 56' Olds

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to swap a 455/400 combo into a 56' Olds? I am considering installing a more modern set up in my 56'Olds. The car is a basket case, so I'm not cutting up a "good" car.
Retrorocket88 is offline  
Old February 18th, 2007, 12:50 PM
  #2  
Moderator
 
2blu442's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Medford, Oregon
Posts: 13,681
455 in Vintage Olds

Here's something to consider then.... about 20 years ago I bought some sheetmetal from a 1970 Vista Cruiser wagon. The owner had stripped the body off the frame and put about a 1956 Buick 2 door body on it. He claimed that all he needed to do was build body mounts to match the frame. That the wheelbase and width was just right, that the steering column even came through at the right angle to work with the dash. So at a glance, he had a nice old Buick but with late model drivetrain, steering and brakes. If you have the time to do a little research this could be an easy way to make a fun street rod. John
2blu442 is offline  
Old February 22nd, 2007, 07:42 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
hurricane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
i got a 455 in my 57 and a R400 TRANS NO PROBLEM go for it if you can't yous ypu cross member you can fab one here is a pic of my 57olds009.jpg
hurricane is offline  
Old February 22nd, 2007, 05:40 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Retrorocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
How hard was it to do? Someone told me the engine mounts on the frame are in the same location of a 455. What about a cross member for the trans? Do I use one from a newer car?
Retrorocket88 is offline  
Old February 28th, 2007, 07:01 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
64Rocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Union City Calif.94587
Posts: 2,383
Hello

when I put a '70 OLDS 350 in my '50 OLDS coupe, I used a universal engine mount from J.C. Whitney. It is tubular and banana shape. I used the stock rubber mounts for the '70 350. The mount used the stock thru bolt for the rubber mount. I also made a trans mount out of 2" channel and welded tabs on each end. Moved the engine as close to the firewall as possible, cut the brkts and leveled the engine and drilled and bolted in everything.
Gene

64Rocket is offline  
Old March 1st, 2007, 05:15 AM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Retrorocket88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Sweet! Thanks Gene! Nice car by the way!
Retrorocket88 is offline  
Old March 1st, 2007, 06:22 AM
  #7  
Past Administrator
 
Oldsguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,008
Gene, nice looking car!

Don't know about the mid fifties, I know that after '49 with the introduction of the V-8 things changed but on my '48 (orginally straight six) the engine mounted to the frame off the front. So when I put a 455 in the '48 I will have to fab a cross support like you mentioned. Didn't know J.C. Whitney sold them. Cool, I check into that.
Oldsguy is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
autofluencia
The Newbie Forum
46
July 24th, 2015 05:49 PM
88olds350
Small Blocks
2
June 25th, 2013 06:47 PM
MLK-442
Transmission
9
October 28th, 2011 04:26 PM
italian ice
Big Blocks
16
September 23rd, 2010 03:31 PM
moparmusclecars
General Discussion
9
September 3rd, 2008 06:15 PM



Quick Reply: 455 Olds engine swap into 56' Olds



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:18 AM.