Guest oldrides Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Does anyone know how hard it would be to install a buick v8 into a 1953 buick special that currantly has a straight 8 in it? oldrides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 There is plenty of room in the engine compartment, but then you will have to deal with the closed driveshaft and the torque tube. A nailhead does look real nice in the era of car and you wouldn't have to worry about the driveline as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 I would think that a Buick engine from that same era would be the simpeliest. All Buick and no torque tube complications. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmsteed Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 I have found that the easiest way to convert the power plant from an inline engine to a V8 is to find the same year vehicle with the engine you want, buy the complete car and part it out, you will then have all the mounts, brackets, etc., required to complete the change over. If you just try to purchase an engine you will have all kinds of issues to deal with.I am putting a 425 Buick nail head in my '40 Super, I purchased a '66 Riv to get all the pieces I would need.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 WmSteed has a very good idea. You will need the nailhead engine and the Dynaflow from the donor car because the 53 Dynaflow for the straight is different from the V-8. The V-8 uses a different torque converter.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LCI Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 What are you going to do with the old straight eight? Dan:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I'd almost look for a '53 Super/Roadmaster parts car. That way you've gor all the 12 volt items that were different too, plus a better radiator (if I'm not mistaken, they had a thicker core). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmsteed Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 I have a friend that is planning on removing the original V8 & AT from his 53 spl HT, he is going to put a *%*454 in the car. The car is in So. Cal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Straight eight Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 The 53 Special was a straight eight, and the DynaFlow will transfer to an earlier model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jmorrisn699a Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Hello Buick Looking to buy1950s inline 8. Has any one installed a modern Chevy v 8 or other - stick shift transmisson 5 or 6 speed with overdrive behind a 1950s inline 8? 813-689-5171 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JR9162 Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Oldrides, the motor mounts, radiator, and core support you should source from a 53 Super or Roadmaster.However, for a nailhead I'd swap in a 1956 Roadmaster or Century 322 CID v8 wth its accompanying Dynaflow. You get the best year for a 322 and it's mating dynaflow from a 56 model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 This sure sounds like a great project, fun, fun, FUN IS GOOD...... A project I would LOVE to do too. I wish you well, send pictures as you go,Dale in Indy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buickvalvenut52 Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 (edited) I did it on my 51. Droped a 56 chevy 322 but wasn't easy. Neither would both a factory dual or single exhaust work so I had to fab one up, a dual in my case. The master cylinder had to be moved back then pushed in towards the frame and since I messed with that the arm that holds the rod on the frame had to be removed, shaved a some, reversed, then welded back up...dam starter! the vent tubes cause problems with the Generator . I had to move mine to sit low in between the left valve cover and intake. I welded a bracket using the one I cut off the mount... the shift linkage was some thing else. the stock will not work so I made something up using the one from the 53 Super. There was way more work than I thought. Edited May 7, 2014 by buickvalvenut52 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfonzoBigBody Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 (edited) 9 years later and no details on how it worked out. I hate forums that ask questions but never post the final results. My situation 1953 Special, missing block. Found a 56 322, curious if it would be worth the time trying the swap. No real confirmed answer here. Edited February 25, 2019 by AlfonzoBigBody (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 On 2/24/2019 at 8:50 PM, AlfonzoBigBody said: 9 years later and no details on how it worked out. I hate forums that ask questions but never post the final results. My situation 1953 Special, missing block. Found a 56 322, curious if it would be worth the time trying the swap. No real confirmed answer here. hi alfonzo, have you made any progress on the idea of putting a 322 into your 1953 special ?, i think if you spend time looking at a 1954 special with a buick nailhead V8, you'll get answers as to what will work and what will not work. i have a 1953 pontiac chieftain custom catalina where i removed the pontiac straight eight 30 years ago and installed a 1955 pontiac 287 V8 and hydra-matic 22 years ago, now this year i am removing the 287 set up and replacing it with a 1959 pontiac 389 and a B&M hydro-stick version of the dual range hydra-matic trans. looking forward to hearing what you have done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfonzoBigBody Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I have had nothing but rain every weekend for this year. As a result, the Car sat in the woods for a bit longer than I had hoped. Given the 4k weight and the additional 2k for my trailer it was a nogo to pick up (Seller has nice land). Meanwhile, I did get new rubber all the way around (Did you know Walmart tirecare is full of idiots? , they didn't know where the steel brush was so my tires are mounted to rusty beads). With ambition, and a air tank, I am setting off to get the car loaded for the trip home this weekend (Only a short drive). I will update this forum with progress reports. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfonzoBigBody Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 I was able to bring it home, man it was sitting low in the trunk (little did I know the engine and trans was in there) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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