What parts have you found to be pretty much a direct bolt on from newer vehicles? I'm talking about things like wiper motors, heaters, radiators, brake pedal assemblies, leaf springs or just about anything else.

I really want to upgrade the heater and wiper motor on my 56 but I don't want to spend $200 for a Newport wiper motor or deal with all the fitment issues and quality control issues that come along with vintage air units.

 

If I'm not mistaken starting in 56 the more modern gm 605 steering box is a pretty close fit... Helps get clearance when running exhaust

 

303, and 324 v8:

-Lifters are said to be the same as small block chevy. Can someone verify this? If nothing else I will when I pull mine. I'll gladly pay $4 a lifter.

-Rod bearings are the same as pontiac 326- 455 v8.

-Cam bearings are the same as number 2 and number 5 small block chevy cam bearings, however oil holes need to be drilled. I've heard it takes 3 sets of these to make one set for olds, but still worth it. (except 1956 324, 371, and 394... larger cam journals)

-for 303's the bore is the same as 265 chevy, 324's the bore is the same as chevy 283... Piston rings interchange.

-Wheels are 5" x 5 bolt pattern. Very common on 70-80s half ton chevy trucks and suv's, so junkyard rallyes ought to work okay... Not sure of any offset issues. The wheels on my 55 are a pretty weak set of customs that were taken from a suburban.

I'll post more as I come up with it...

 

That is the stuff I'm looking for!!! Anyone know of a later electric wiper motor that will work with the factory cable linkage? I am not opposed to using a wiper motor off a Toyota or something else if it will work. I am thinking about a $210 Newport wiper motor but I am a cheap SOB.

 

Double check on the lifters , I don't think they are a direct swap. Seems I looked into that about 10 years ago and there is a difference in the design at the top of the lifter. As I remember a Mopar part was a direct fit but its to long ago, can't remember witch one.

Front and side glass is the same as Buick of the same year and body style

Doors also swap but trim will have to be re-drilled or holes filled.

There is more I just can't think now.... Tedd

 

55 56 57 chevy motor is an almost direct fit. Some adaption us required, but a easy fix.... Tedd

 

I need this too, I was thinking of buying one of those newport ones too but they want too much mula for them. BTW, I replaced the switch with one out of a 63 olds, with little mods if fits the ***** out of our 56. Now I just need a wiper motor to try it on




yeah but you have to get lucky to find one of those cheap

 

I will... The pushrods on both engines hava a 5/16 ball on them. I'll let you guys know what I find. As for the mopar one, I will also check into that. Shouldn't be too tough to find, I've got friends in parts stores

 

-Outer Tie rod ends for olds 1936? to 1957 are same as late 60's (I used the year 1969) Dodge D100 pickup, a100 pickup and van, right outer, and Jeep cj7 mid-late 80's (end year 87). Part # ES-140R. I'm sure related sleeves are the same... I did not need new sleeves and didn't do the necessary research.

-Fuel pump gasket is same as small block chevy, typical gm part.

 

Good luck on the wiper motor. I will be surprised if you find anything after the 60's that will work. I think chances of winning the lottery are better than getting something from a Toyota to fit. As Tedd mentions, there are lots of parts from the same vintage Buicks that will fit.

 

I tried to put a 55-57 Chevy electric wiper motor in my 55 and could have made it work but the hold down brackets would need to be cut and relocated (not a hard job) but I no longer have a welder close by, I still have the Chevy wiper motor by the way.

On the subject of lifters from a small block Chevy fitting, AS I REMEMBER IT they WILL fit but there is a physical difference at the top of the lifter, the Olds lifter has a ring around the lifter socket that seems to hold oil at that junction, this may or may not be some kind of problem,I don't know. The real problem that turned me off of Chevy lifters was the fact that we got lifter clatter on start up every time, this went away in a few seconds but we couldn't resolve the problem till we switched back to Olds lifters. It seams that for some reason we would get to much push rod clearance or bleed down of the lifter, what ever it was it was more of a problem than money saved....Tedd

 

Is it really worth the headache, the newport wiper motor i bought for the 53 bolted straight up to the factory mounts under the dash, it was a bugger of a job trying to fit it in a tight spot but once i lined up the motor it bolted straight in and works a treat, worth the extra money i say.

 

I have a thread on here some where not to long ago on this forum describing the switch over of the Newport motor and a few tips I found that helped in the adaption, that is the way I went also.....Tedd

 

Just gave in and bought mine, I have to say not bad. Rear screw was a pain so I followed the advise on Tedd's page and used a stud. I think I have to tweek the cables a bit to get full range but I'll get it right

 

Chevy lifters are shorter and unless you order some adjustable pushrods(smiths brothers) you will have an engine where the valves don't open far enough and the motor will run very poorly and cause many headaches...other than that, they slide right in. See the H.A.M.B. where this info is verified.

 

There's A Set Of Aftermarket Olds Lifters On E-Bay A Couple Of Days Ago For $76. LARRY.

 

If someone is still looking for a 57 wiper motor I would sell the one I have for $50 bucks + shipping, it looks good and works well.If you have access to a welder and can fabricate it would be a cheaper alturnative....Tedd