Guys is it major surgery to install a later BB Olds in a 56-88 or a matter of getting the right engine and transmission mounts from another year and car? I'm thinking 400,425,455.

 

Several guys have done it. I'd check with Citcapp as he's shared details before on what it took for his cars.

On a different note... several years ago I purchased the remains of a 1970 Vista Cruiser from a Buick guy. He had taken the rolling chassis and put it under a 1956 Buick body. He claimed that the wheelbase and width matched, and even the steering column came in at the right location. Fabricating new mounts in the body to match the Vista Cruiser frame was the most significant mod he said was needed. If you could do that with a 56 Olds that would provide newer drivetrain/suspension/brakes with the vintage body lines.


John

 

Done this on my 57 which is very similar. You have to fab all of the motor and transmission mounts. Offset the engine a little to the passenger side say about an inch to clear the steering box. Set of WZ headers. Also depends on what transmission you use to avoid conflicting with the the X frame member. Drive shaft conversion either a single piece drive line (my choice) or a two piece out of a chevy truck. Either way this mod is required as the stock drive line will not hold up. Stock rear end works fine. Send me a pm with your e-mail address and I will send you a drawing and pictures of what I did

 

PM sent

 

Sometimes the coolest stuff is happening, always dreamed of building a milner coupe, 55 chev ala american graffitti, now I look at oldsmobiles, . Have a 69 350 with 5 heads, crank is drilled for a 4 speed.... maybe find a 62 cutlass, straight axle fender well headers, then i remember I am still working on my 69 vert lol. And it all goes poof.....I guess One can dream..... looking forward to the build anywhoooooooo

 

I recently pulled the stock frame from under my 55(should be same as 56). Someone had tried to put a 455 engine and TH400. They had welded angle iron to frame for motor mounts. Sort of messed up. Anyway I'm in process of putting a 71 Vistacruiser frame under it. Several weeks worth of work to make it fit. Body mounts fall over top of rail in some places, but wound up welding recessed pockets in the rails. Had to shorten both ends. Think it will work with engine mounts in front holes on block best. Put in four wheel disc brakes also. Still a work in progress tho.

 

When you have time please create a thread posting some pictures. I'm going on what I was told many years ago. But I love the idea of having the body lines from the mid to late 1950's with a newer drivetrain, brakes, steering and suspension.

John

 

X2 yes very interested in how this comes together.

 

Isnt the early A-body frame "SHAPE" all the same? meaning F-85-Cutlas-442 and Vista?

 

The VC frame is longer. Wheelbase and track is almost identical to 55's, but like I said, had to cut some of both ends and welded on the 55's crossmember stock support the bumpers. I already have the body back on the frame so probably can't get any worthwhile pictures. I had to recess the body cushion mounts in order to keep the body as low as possible. My first efforts had it looking like a monster-truck. I'll try on the photos tho.

 

That's what I plan to do to my '50 Olds coupe.
I used a Vista frame for a flat top Cutlass wgn wheel base is shorter like a 4 dr Cutlass.
I'm using a '68 Vista frame which is 121 wheel base.
I have since found that a '67 Vista frame is 120 wheel base which is exactly what my '50 is. But i already have the '68 frame.
You will have to get creative on the steering box for it is out front of the axle and will be in the way of the radiator support. I have seen it done, so I have to figure it out.
This is my winter project, i will start a thread.

Gene

 

You are right about the steering box, but a big benefit of that is that you can sit a 455 or 350 in stock mounting holes with no problems. As for the radiator support, I ended up fabricating one from square tubing .

 

64Rocket please create that thread, I will watch the build!!

 

I'm interested in how this turns out also.

 

I wonder if the VC frame is the same as a convertible-being it a bit stronger. I think they are partially boxed or have some other reinforcements welded to the frame

 

I'm not familiar with the 64-67 ones, but 68-72 are fully boxed just like the convertibles.

John

 

Some where in the past I vaguely remember someone telling me they uses the front motor mount ,water pump cover off a Toronado to eliminate the front motor mount problem and had good success with this adaption. It bolted up much like the original 56 mount.....Tedd

 

Tedd that's very interesting about the Toro mounts. Not familiar with them I just assumed they were side mounted like all the others!

 

I'm not sure of using the stock location frame mounts. I believe your going to set the engine back some and use the stock engine mounts with brkts off the frame side rails.
To me if you use the Toro style mount you will have to fab some kind of mount off the bell housing similure to the original style mounts from the 50's car.
The convert frame is boxed but the wheel base is too short. '68 to 72 is 112" wheel base. The Vista is 121" and the 4dr and flat roof wgn is 116'
You can cut and stretch the other frames.
You just need to know your wheel base is and find the frame that fits.

lonestarjarhead post what ever pic's you have and can you show how you mounted the engine and your rad mount?

Gene

 

Makes sense 64Rocket, have fun. We now have others wanting to see this come together too!

 

Guys, I have a 70 Vista frame in central Michigan. I would like for someone to be able to use it. It may go to scrap yard next spring if not. Pm me if interested.

 

Well any progress in installing the 455 in the '56 Olds?

I've had to finish my move of my shop, so no progress on my frame swap.

Gene

 

64Rocket any progress on the build?

 

Not much progress so far. all I've been able to do so far is take the vista body off the frame. I have no paper work for the wgn. So i cut it up, and no place would take it, for they were to big and still wanted papers. So I cut it into tiny pieces and took it to the scrap metal place. I think I should have just dump it at the local pick & pull. It took me 2 days to cut it up and got $20. A penny a pound, to much work for that. I spent that much on lunch for the two days.
Anyway body is gone and need to clean the frame. Have been busy with a couple of projects. may get to this soon.
The pic with the C-clamp, when I first lit body, the balance was a little if'e, I had to clamp the body to the lift to keep it from tilting back. I had the lift as far as I could to keep the balance.

Gene