olds 455 in my 1968 SWB?

[scorpion1110]

Good Afternoon Folks:

I have a quick question.

A friend has a 455 olds motor with a TH 400 and a complete set of MSD electronics and new headers. The motor is built and has c Heads with large valves. A quick inspection of the valve train shows roller rockers also. Its clean, runs well and in a Pontiac so its for sale as he is putting the 400 back in the Pontiac.

Price for everything is under $3k.

The question is will fit in my 68 SWB? The front clip is off, I am fixing the cab and will need a drivetrain and its easy to drop in and fit it if it doesnt require a ton of fab work. I can put this built olds in for less than the cost of the crate 350 and TH400 I was looking at.

I think its about the same size as a 396 so it becomes about getting the right mounts? or will this simply be a nightmare and not worth doing?

My little SWB is more of a hot rod so I dont mind the olds drivetrain.

Thanks in advance for the wisdom

Dave

[73737373]

Pretty sure the deep part of the oil pan rests squarely above the cross member on the front suspension. You have to cut it to so the oil pan clears and the engine sits lower in the engine compartment.

[scorpion1110]

Thanks-

If I use this motor I dont want to cut the cross member. I read some where thet Buick mounts are taler than Olds- I wonder if that takes care of the height issue?

[truckster]

It's definitely been done and I would say it would be worth the effort. The Olds 455 is an incredible motor with tons and tons of torque.

I put one in a Buick Estate Wagon and it was super quick. Of course, if you care about fuel mileage, it may not be the engine for you....

[Boog]

I have seen Olds 455 in our model trucks before. Seems to me it mounted to the big block Chevy mounts. I wouldn't know about the oil pan clearance however. Someone with personal experience will no doubt chime in soon.
As said that engine stock makes gobs of torque and if driven fairly reasonably can get pretty fair mpg too. I put an Olds 350 in a 56 Ford truck many years ago and loved it.

[Jake1971]

At one time I had an Olds 403/TH350 in my '71 C10. Fabrication of the motor mounts consisted of a pair of 73-87 flat type stands and some 3/8" thick steel plate that extended forward and welded to the stands which enabled me to use the stock 403 rubber mounts. The Rocket Olds 403 had enough torque to pull an antique front-end loader that weighed over 6 tons.

[scorpion1110]

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know if:

1) there will be any issue with Power steering box interference? I suspect that I can use a standard saginaw pump and hoses?
2) are headers usually a problem with this swap?
3) I think I can use a standard TH400 cross member either original or aftermarket and have a driveshaft made.

My main concern is to make sure that I dont have to alter the main crossmember and can mount this looking reasonably decent.

From a height and width standpoint it should be ok shouldnt it? Or if I could mock up the install using a junk Pontiac 455 which I have a available would that let me see exactly what I need to do?

Thanks as always for the help!

Dave

[MARKDTN]

The Pontiac and Olds motors are not interchangable enough to mock up an Olds install using a Pontiac. You can put anything in anything with enough fabrication, but I wouldn't do it. By the time you go to all that trouble, you could have an LSx swap that will have more power, better mileage, and better longevity. If you over-rev an Olds 455 you will spin a main. You can do some Mondello mods and make it go longer, but you will have to tear it down. They are quite torquey, but heavy and fuel hogs. Depending on what it came out of, the headers wont fit (judging from your description I am guessing its a TransAm). I myself would put Pontiac power long before Olds, but if you want to drive it with todays fuel and what it costs, hands down I would put an LS in there.

[70blackfish]

if the motor and trans were free, i might do the install. but for 3k get a combo that bolts right in, and all parts work together. you want lots of torque? go the junk yard and get a 454. install a cam intake and headers and it will all bolt in place.

[el_guapo]

I was thinking the same in regards to considering a modern lsx instead. For the money you could ditch the carb and have more power/wayyy better fuel milage

[scorpion1110]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the input! I spent some time with the motor and decided against it. I could see where it looked like the oil pan was cut and welded and there was a lot of silicone at the timing cover. I decided against it as it didnt look great and seemed more headache to install than I wanted. Sounded great tho.

However I do want to do something different and vintage for my 68. So i am down to the following:

1) an SBC with a interesting intake; 2x4, an SY1, or a down draft weber intake with 4 44 or 48 Webers, or

2) a Pontiac sprint six OHC motor. The truck was originally a six with a column shift 3speed, and the Pontiac OHC six is a pretty interesting engine. I also hear they are quick.

So what do you guys think?

and if its number two, then I need a tip on finding an OHC 6.

Thanks!! Dave