1953 special engine swap

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

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.

I would think that a Buick engine from that same era would be the simpeliest. All Buick and no torque tube complications.

Ben

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....

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

What are you going to do with the old straight eight? Dan:)

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).

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.

The 53 Special was a straight eight, and the DynaFlow will transfer to an earlier model.

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

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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)