We have a Buick person to be, who has a question I can't answer. He's looking into a 64 Wildcat, no engine or trans. Are there any tags that would indicate the correct engine for this car? Vin number and trim tag don't contain this info. As near as I can tell, it should have either the 401 or 425, being that its a 4 door my guess would be the 401, but its only a guess.

I think the 425 was only available in the Riviera in '63, but that opinion is unfounded. I tend to agree that it would have the JT coded 401 engine: Four bbl carb, 10.25:1 compression, and dual exhausts.

Ed

Goofed!! its a 64 Wildcat. I think you are right about the 425 didn't that come out in 63?? Only in the Riv.

On page 2-6 of my '64 chassis manual, section 2-4, paragraph a. has a chart of engine listings for each model. The 4600-4800 series (4600 = Wildcat, 4800 = Electra) show three engines available. The KT - 401, same as the JT described above - was standard, the KV - low compression 401 export - was an option, and the KX - 425 with two four barrels - was an option.

I agree with your original guess that because it was a four door, it would be the 401 engine. KT is the code you're looking for. VIN's won't match, but the engine will be correct.

One other note for your search, the '64 ST400 transmission is different than the 65-66 ST400. The '64 was a one year only unit and does not have the switch pitch feature. The shifter quadrant has only PRNDL; the later 65-66 has PRND2L. You might find a '59 - 63 engine that would be similar, but the crank is different which allows it to bolt to the old Dynaflow. Different starters, carbs, etc. as well.

Any 64-66 engine will work with the '64 transmission. If you found a '64 Riv, it would have the 425, and the correct transmission. If the VIN doesn't match, who cares about the cubic inches .

Ed

Thanks for the info!!!!

In 1964 the wildcat was offered with a 401/ 4bbl , 425/4bbl. The 425 is essentially the same block with a longer stroke. the optional 425 was available with a dual quad set up. Because your vehicle is a four door it was most likely a 401 which is a smoother running engine. Also the 401 is sold as a single exhaust. If the exhaust hangers are original they should tell the story. Single exhaust runs on the passanger side. The only motor ID is stamped in the front of the block KW - 425 / KV- 401. Hope this helps any info needed just ask. Good luck they are great cars .

Bob,

Here's the page from the 64 Chassis manual. It goes along with what I posted earlier. Bob, FYI, Figure 3-9 in the chassis manual shows the single exhaust system for the 4600-4800 series cars, and figure 3-11 shows the dual exhaust system for the 4600-4800 series. KV is the export engine; KT is the 401 standard engine. I don't see where a 425 single four barrel engine is available in a '64 4600-4800 series car. If you have better information than the factory chassis manual, I'd like to see it so I can correct my manual.



Ed

Ed:My car was sold in Queens NY to My dad sept 1964. The original engine is still in the car rebuilt / body off six year project. I am familiar with every nut/ bolt of the series 46-4800 . The wildcat is 4647 Buick chassis service manual / orig print pg 0-2 shows KW - 425 single 4bbl
Kv- Export 401 " you are correct "
KX- 425 - dual quad { wildcat/ Riviera}
kv - std 401 " you are correct "
I have never seen a 4800 series - electra with a KX however the riviera, wildcat and Electra were all available with a single 4bbl . Life magazine ran a full article on the three engines available as mentioned above. There was even a 300 cu in v-8 available ih wildcats / lesabre mostly found in police vehicles. Popular mechanics also did a road test on the 64 wildcat using a 401& 425 -dual quad. intresting that 3/4 down the quater mile the 401 led the way, once the dual quads clean out it crosses the line first. Good talkin to ya.

Bob,

That's sort of like the '63 Rivieras with the 425's. They were introduced so late that there is no reference to that engine in the '63 service manual. My '66 service manual doesn't mention the GS's 401 with the Q-jet carb either; nor does it mention the 11.5:1 compression engine. I think that Buick probably had ideas up front as to what they'd offer in the years to come, but pressure from the buying public made them offer what the public wanted.

A friend of mine in the Denver area has (had) two practically identical '66 Rivieras, the only real difference was that one had the single four barrel Quadrajet and the other had the two four barrel Carters. The Qjet car was quicker through a quarter mile, but the 2x4 car was going faster once it finally got there. He said that at about 5/8 of a mile, the 2x4 went screaming by the single four barrel carb equipped car.

I think that family owned cars that have been kept original from day one are out best sources of information on what was really available during the era. Thanks for the information. I'm the second owner of a '63 Riviera; I bought it from the original owner in 1982. It came with a set of service manuals, a complete maintenence record, and the original window sticker. There was strong feelings in the ROA that the '63 Riv was available with the Guidematic, or the Twilight sentinel, but not both. My car with its window sticker made everyone reconsider what the salesman's order books indicate what was available. I think in those days, money had a way of getting the car you wanted regardless of what the order blank said.

I claim to no nothing about the '64 Wildcats, other than a white one with buckets and console was the first car my exwife and I bought right before we got married. A friend of mine here in the KC area knows of a '65 Electra that has the 2x4 engine in it. LX code and the VIN's match.

Ed

Ed,
I think you are correct on your observations. I have original paperwork as well as window sticker and such. I too am second owner but the car was handed down to me. There is no mention in sales stuff or even on Buick's literature for 65 about the Skylark with the bucket seats. This car was ordered that way with no codes just ** where the code should be. I have everything that pertains early in 65, there is no mention of the G.S. in any of my paperwork either. The G.S. came out second half of 65. And guess what feature came with the G.S.--bucket seats. Also the Skylark could come from the factory with dual exhaust, so it looks like they were headed in a direction just didn't have everything in place. Just my 2 cents.