Roadmaster75 Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Has anyone done a similar swap? A friend wanted me to check inand see if it's been done much. After 42 years in the BCA, I used to know this stuff, but gettingto old to recall this level of detail…!Looking to identify the major issues in transplanting a '52 320 intoa '36 40 Series? Prepping the crank for a manual trans can be handled, but what aboutmounts and mounting locations….? And, will the 40 series drive train mate up or willwe need to source a more compatible Buick set up? He wants to update it, but keep itall Buick (if possible).Thanks!Mike<script type="text/javascript" src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/dcd0bf4c/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js"></script> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Well, I will let others more knowledgeable that me chime in, but...I would think the 320 is too long to have any chance of fitting without major surgery like cutting into the firewall...or am I wrong?Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) The 320 ci is longer than the 248 ci 248 vs 320Unsure about the length of a 1936 series 40. And then there is the engine mounts - bell housing - transmission.Another thread Is there a difference between 1936 and 1938 Special engines? Edited July 29, 2014 by 1939_buick (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37_Roadmaster_C Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I also am no expert but I feel that the extra length of the 320 will be much more of a problem than just finding a good servicable 248. Another thing is that to the best of my knowledge the only thing more modern about the 52 320 is insert rod bearings vs poured babbet, obviously more displacement AND higher compression and simply a newer casting. I just had the 37 320 rebuilt and there was no problem with parts or machine work (ground the crank, cam and had the rods machined for insert bearings) and the engine will be as good as it was new in 1937. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JR9162 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Your best bet is find a 50-53 Buick 263 out of a Special or Super and mount it in the 36. If your 36 is a 248, the motor mount assemblies are adaptable to the later 248s and 263s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 A 1936 Series 40 runs a 233 cubic inch motor.With modification I can see a later model 248 or 263 possibly being shoehorned in.I can't see a 320 being fitted. In addition to the overall size difference you will also have to consider the weight difference and have to beef up suspension, steering and even the chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 May be 'bout as easy to transplant a 322 Nailhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterpainter Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Well other than the fact that the transmission, clutch, bell housing and motor mounts are different the only issue is the fact that the engine is about 3" longer. Not an easy task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigDogDaddy Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 As far as the engine fitting in the car...isn't that what a Century is ? The first Century was created in 1936 by putting the larger Roadmaster engine into the smaller Special body. The rest I don't know about. But I would think that it could be done.Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Phil:The body is from the cowl back, so that part is the same, yes. But the frame is longer, wheelbase is longer, and suspension components are beefier. Not to mention the sheetmetal from the cowl forward - it's a few inches longer than the Special. On my '40, there just isn't the 4" of space needed - the engine is hard up against the firewall in the rear and there is maybe an inch of clearance between the fan and the radiator in the front. And moving the radiator forward just isn't possible given how it's mounted, so the only space for a longer engine would be cutting out the firewall in the back and extending the engine/bellhousing into the passenger compartment by a few inches.Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 What needs to be done, is to have someone make the swap that DOESN'T know it can't be done. I bet I and many others could do it, PERIOD. Sure it would require thought, and many mods, but I'm sure it can be done. I and MANY others on this site have done things that others said COULDN'T be done. It boils down to how much time you want to put into the task. I wish you well,Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50jetback Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 May be 'bout as easy to transplant a 322 Nailhead This would be a much easier fit than the 320 Straight 8.As for Century V's Special, well the suggestion that it's the big motor in a Special is not even close. Especially with the 1936 Century it could best be described as a short wheelbase Roadmaster utilising a Special body from the cowl back. There are NO common mechanical parts between the 1936 Special and Century, motor, gearbox, frame, rear end, brakes, steering, suspension, even wheels are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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