Buick 455 vs Olds 455 vs Pontiac 455

[krek]

All the 455's had distributers on the front of the engine, so thats not a problem.

For sure? The engine I looked at today had the dizzy on the rear. It had aftermarket valve covers and air cleaner... I'm not sure what else it could have been.

It was in a '72 Delta 88...

[Dirtball]

Hope this helps (looks like you WERE looking at on Olds engine):

The Olds engine family is identified by:
1. An oil fill tube at the front of the engine, just over the timing chain enclosure. It is offset to the right (passenger side) of the engine, and on most cars, it stands straight up 'n' down. A few engines use a fill tube with a slight bend in it, but the base of the tube will be vertical.

2. Distributor in the rear, but offset slightly to the left (driver's) side. It rotates counter-clockwise as seen from above. Distributor does not enter the intake manifold.

3. Valve covers are held on with 10 bolts (early engines) or 5 bolts (later engines.) The pattern is the same, but every other hole is unused (and perhaps undrilled) on the 5-bolt covers. 10 bolt covers use five bolts on the bottom row, and five bolts on the top row. 5 bolt covers use three bolts on the bottom row, and two bolts on top row.

4. The timing chain cover is a flat, stamped sheetmetal cover with provision for the front main seal and water pump outlet openings. Fuel pump is mounted to the right (passenger side) of the timing chain housing.

5. There are identifying numbers and letters cast into the top of the timing chain housing at the front of the engine, just in front of the intake manifold. If the large figure at the end is a number, you're looking at a small block. If the large figure at the end is a letter, you're looking at a big block. All 455s use the letter F to identify them.

Info taken from: http://reviews.ebay.com/GM-Big-Block...00000002053785

[Crazy_Jeepman]

All the 455's had distributers on the front of the engine, so thats not a problem.

For sure? The engine I looked at today had the dizzy on the rear. It had aftermarket valve covers and air cleaner... I'm not sure what else it could have been.

It was in a '72 Delta 88...

It would be an OLDS 455. The only 455 with the Dizzy up front would be the Buick.

[HorribleHarry]

I just don't like the idea of putting a Ford in a Jeep...

You'd rather see a chevy in there???
ewwwwwwwww yucky (sorry, I grew up in the blue oval)

hehe
Harry

[GWChris]

When you think about how many OHV pushrod V8 designs the US auto industry made, and how similar they all are from a big picture point of view, it's really silly to have allegence to a particular brand or type. That's without getting into the whole concept of people tying their personal identity to that of a corporation....

Anyway, some particular designs were better worked out than others, and some fit better in a particular application than others - go with whatever gives the best result for the effort and money - or perhaps just use what interests you. The only "correct" engine from a restoration point of view is an AMC.

$4.55 / ga.?

[krek]

The only "correct" engine from a restoration point of view is an AMC.

My 1970 Wagoneer came from the factory with a Buick 350.

I like the idea of the Buick big block because it is closer to "stock/original" than the other makes.

[The PIG Smith]

What about the Ford 429/C6 for an engine in a FSJ? I'm assuming it would bolt up to an NP205?

Check this out:
Ford Bigblock swap ideas

[Tobynine9]

I like the Olds engines myself but the Buick 455 was the only stock engine of that era to produce over 500 lb. ft. or torque.

Lou

Nah, the Caddy 472 in '68 and '69 made 525 lb. ft. The '70 Caddy 500 made 550.

Go Caddy!

[COLOFIREMAN]

So did you buy the Olds you went to look at or are you still looking? I have one for sale on this board if you are.

[710 Burner]

I have an Olds 455. The distributor IS in the rear, and yes, clearing the firewall and radiator at the same time is somewhat of a concern.
Edit: I still think it can be done without too much trouble.

[HorribleHarry]

So while we're all here, what is involved in a Buick 350 to 455 swap in a factory Jeep/Buick application? Is this the easiest swap?

Harry

[Eugene 1]

Anyway, some particular designs were better worked out than others, and some fit better in a particular application than others - go with whatever gives the best result for the effort and money - or perhaps just use what interests you. The only "correct" engine from a restoration point of view is an AMC.

$4.55 / ga.?

which happens to be designed after a buick engine...

[GWChris]

My 1970 Wagoneer came from the factory with a Buick 350.

I like the idea of the Buick big block because it is closer to "stock/original" than the other makes.

Certainly true for those years - I stand corrected.

which happens to be designed after a buick engine...

This is nonsense. The only similarity is that it has a cast aluminum front cover with the oil pump in it. This was done because it is easier and cheaper to make one complex aluminum casting with all the detail in it, and leave the rest of the parts be simpler cast iron parts. Other than that it bears no more resemblance to a Buick V8 than it does to every other US cast iron pushrod V8. I find it interesting that the AMC V8 was one of the last clean sheet designs from that era.

[mafos4471]

It would be an OLDS 455. The only 455 with the Dizzy up front would be the Buick.

I stand corrected...

[incommando]

So while we're all here, what is involved in a Buick 350 to 455 swap in a factory Jeep/Buick application? Is this the easiest swap?

Harry

At least in a Skylark, all it took was taking out the 350 & putting in the 455. There is not a huge head size difference, ala SBC-BBC, to accentuate the deck-height change.

IIRC, the Buick is the lightest 455 while the Olds is the shortest oil pan to intake?

Pontiacs just sound neat.