switch-up,change-o

R

rockingb

Guest
good morning to everybody, i am new here, just joined.
i am in mesa AZ. and i have a question.......can i put a 52 buick shell on a 64 wildcat frame?
the 52 is a 56R model, and i want to repplace the streight 8 with a nailhead, and upgrade the front end. was going to do the 'clip' thing, but since i have the whole car [64 ], why not just switch-o,change-up, or vice versa, which ever is easier.
also, on all 401/425 engines, are they all mounted up to a switch-pitch 400 tranny?
..................thank you for any help,... : ) rockingb

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On the automatic transmissions, the 1965 and 66 model 401/425s came with a Super Turbine 400 with the switch-the-pitch feature. 64 models used a ST 400 without the switch pitch. 60-63 models used the Twin Turbine automatic. 59 models used the Twin Turbine or a very complicated Triple Turbine unit.

When I get home tonight, I will check the width and wheelbase dims of the 52 and 64s. My hunch is the 52 will be narrower in width and longer in wheelbase than the 64.

The engine bay on the 52, being laid out for the straight 8, will be taller, deeper and narrower than a V-8 layout. The hardest way to do it would appear be putting the V-8 in the 52 frame. Matching a V-8/ST400 to the 52's torque tube rear drive will be very difficult. By using the 64 frame and running gear, width in the engine compartment could be the only big concern there.

The 52 is a taller car using a different frame construction, meaning there will be rework or replacement needed on the steering column, transmission controls, pedals etc.

What would help the most would be to find someone who has already done a similar swap. In case no one comes forward, the search engines on this and other board sites may lead you to someone with experience.
 
thank you for your input......and your knowledge....now i am even moore in doubt about which way to go.
my thoughts were to put the 52 shell on the 64 frame, using all the components on the 64, ie the engine transmission drive line and rear diff/axles, i would have everything in one operation....otherwise i would have to pick a front clip from ? car and fabricate it to the front of the 52. buy a transmission and mate it to the engine and get rid of the drive line and rear axle and buy another and adapt it to the old buick frame.......alot more money...and time.
however , if thte 64 does not have the switch/pitch tranny, i would be settleing for something that i didn't really want....as i hear that the s/p tranny is a really good one. in the beginning i was opting for a chrysler torkflight[sp] out of a barracuda, but someone said that that combo was not doable, and then this 64 wildcat came available and i thought that all my problems were solved as all the components were in one car.
also, just for a nailhead engine, the junk yards here in phoenix want upwards of a grand for one......out of their minds!!!!!
i might just have to wait and find a 65 or 66 complete car.
if this shows up on the forum, maybe someone that has done this switch befor [as you have mentioned, will jump in...... : )

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there is a company called jamco interprises and they SAID that they are coming out with a ball joint/disc brake conversion kit (also a rear leaf spring kit) for the b.o.p crowd. they are using a '50 buick as a prototype car, they said it would be done end of last year (still nothing), i've been calling to find out any progress. jamco does this kind of kit for fords and mercs mainly, but they are expanding. try here and give them a email http://www.jamcosuspension.com
i'm going with a '66 425 and sp400 (overdrive if i can find an adaptor) in my '50 super jetback. good luck
 
can i be nosey enough to ask what you expect to pay for the 66 425 ? Around here they are going for 600.00-1k just for the engine, no brackets, no accesseries, and the tranny is also EXTRA.
i have the whole car, engine,driveline, everything, for 500.00, but its not the switch pitch tranny, but the 401 is the same engine as the 425, just different bore, and maybe different cam.
if i went with the t400 now, and if i found a switch pitch converter, could i install it later?
sure would like to find a 455 out of a 70 to insert in between the fenders..... : )
 
i was REALLY lucky i picked up a '66 425 with the sp400, factory 2x4 set-up (minus air cleaner), factory finned valve covers, exhaust manifolds and alt. for $300 (the motor is frozen from sitting with the carbs off, the carbs were stored inside and are in great shape). then i picked up another '66 425 that was (according to the guy) running with the sp400, single 4bbl (found out when i got there is was a quad), all acc. (minus a/c comp) and a cracked exhaust manifold for $600.
 
some people are just lucky!!!! where in the world did you find the 425 with the quads, was ity a private listing in the 'parts' section or at a junk yard?
thte yards here in phoenix want upwards of a GRAND for any nailhead!
oh well.....i will come accross one one of these days, in the mean time i think i will just get the car running good, do some radiator work and flushing new belts etc. and then look for some deals as i go.
there is one junk yard that has nailheads up the kazoo, probably 20-30 of them, but they want tooo much for them.
what are you gonna do to your 425? and is the switch pitch tranny a REALLY good choice.... : )
 
no real old car junkyards around here (if any they're small) so your lucker there, i have to use newspapers and ebay for parts. i found both of them in the recycler (recycler.com). i'm still in the idea process and was thinking of a 455 (or 322 because it might fit with minimal mods), loosely looking around for motors (really didn't have room yet) i found them about 1 to 2 weeks apart. i have read books on performance mods for the 455 and you NEED to do alot on the oiling system. i still have one more car to finish (my girlfriends) and then i get to start on the buick. i need to keep the buick streetable because it will be my daily driver (don't own a new car), i'm re-sealing the windows on my '60 el camino (which is my daily driver now) and after the buick is done my el camino get the treatment. all that time working on my cars i can think about my next project, maybe a stanley steamer.........

[This message has been edited by Dan (edited 04-23-2002).]
 
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