1965 skylark 300 V8 Engine block and crankshaft question

[Robert V]

Good morning,

I've asked this question on the Buick V8 forum and I am looking for confirmation here.
(Thanks Walt)

Are all 1965 Buick 300 V8 cranks machined to fit a pilot bushing? Did the automatic models use same crank as manual models?
What about 1965 the Buick 300 V8 engine block, Did the automatic tranny cars have the engine block tapped to accept the "z bar pin?

I'm asking because my skylark is an original automatic transmission car, and I will be doing the 4 speed swap.
My fear is that the crankshaft won't be machined to accept the pilot bushing.

Thanks,
Robert

[Brian]

I have never seen a block that was not drilled/tapped on the side for the z-bar pivot ball.  I have run into a crank though that was not finished machined for the pilot bushing.  I took a 65 300 4bbl engine that came out of a LeSabre and put it in a 65 Special with a manual trans and the pilot bushing hole was significantly undersize and only rough machined.  I overcame that though by chucking the pilot bushing up in my lathe and machining it down to fit the hole in the crank.  Never had a problem with it and neither has the current owner of the car. 

[Robert V]

Brian,

On the motor your referring to the crank was machined enough to fit a bushing that needed slight modification.

Thanks, I can deal with a mod like that.  A crank with no machining at all would be problem for me.

[Brian]

Correct.  I think they have a drill that roughs the holes in, then they were finished machined in another process.  The one I encountered looked to be drilled, but never finished machined.