Drivetrain swap

[Kirk H]

Has anyone here ever swaped out the entire drivetrain of a 56 buick special with a new buick drivetrain? like a 60s or early 70s buick riviera? if so what car did you use and what did it take to mount it, or retro fit it on. I have the 322 with the dynaflow, but as we all know they are a combo that goes all the way to the rearend, so i will have to replace it all.

 

[TODD]

Buick did build components for others in the 50s that used open drivelines. I don't know if anyone has ever investigated using parts from them, but it makes for interesting fantasies.

I. Because of a massive fire at the only Hydra-Matic plant in late 53, GM installed Dynaflows in a bunch of 53 and 54 Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs. The 1953 Oldsmobile Dynaflow shop manual supplement shows a small slip-on tail shaft and extra brg used to bring power out to a regular u-joint. A small trans case extension completely replaced all torque ball components. Modifications were made to the engine block including drilling new holes and adding filler plates to close up gaps.

II. A detuned Buick 322 was used in the larger Chevrolet trucks and school buses from 56 to 59. Mounting room might be troublesome, but these came with 4- and 5- speed manual transmisssions. There was even a 6-speed Allison Powermatic automatic having a lockup torque converter and extra pedal for varying the amount of engine braking. This engine was phased out as the 348 became available. (Looks like the original Chevy Big Block was a Nailhead!)