Secret experimental 1964 GX 455

[GS66]

Looks like a Hurst Mastershift handle.

[yachtsmanbill]

We'll call the T handle the MANDLE. Whats the yellow long thing??   Bill

[yachtsmanbill]

Its Pats birthday today    so I let her help line the engine and hoist up to install the power assembly into the BAD LASS. So now she's enthused. "When ya gonna get it running...?" Sheesh!

Anyways, just trying to help keep this place afloat!   Bill

[WkillGS]

Well Happy Birthday Pat!! Hope you're having a great day!
It's my grandmothers birthday today too. Only with us in our memories. Born in 1902 and came to the USA from Germany when she was a teen. The world sure has changed in the past century!

Great to see the progress Bill! Keep the updates coming!

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks Walt! From both of us... Whatcha know about BBB exhaust manifolds for the Special. Looks like its gonna be pretty tight. Might hafta swap manifold sides and run the pipes to the front with a BIG "U" to get them pointed out back again. I dont mind thinking outside the box, but a HAT BOX?    Bill

[Dr Frankenbuick]

The 64-67 a-body frames were basically the same with some minor differences and different spring perches in the back (also boxing for the convertible and GS in the midsection).   The 400, 430 and 455 exhaust manifolds were basically the same size and dimension from 67-76 with some minor changes and slightly different flow characteristics.  So, unless you have a really "Special" frame, your manifolds are going to fit.

[elagache]

Dear Bill, Walt, Good Dr., and mid-60s Buick owners,

Whatcha know about BBB exhaust manifolds for the Special.

. . . .
So, unless you have a really "Special" frame, your manifolds are going to fit.

As the good Dr. reports, the manifolds will fit - if tightly.  What won't fit is headers unless you have the Stage-2 heads.  You should be able to get the stock steering linkage to get past the manifolds - but it will be a tight squeeze!

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

I couldnt afford to stay at the Holiday Inn last night, but struggling through 6 years of school to be an OB-GYN paid off. Those puppies slid right in like they were made for it. Some bolts had to go into the pipes first. All the clutch stuff lined right up too. Right now I am exactly where I wanna be! At my desk drinking coffee... Doctors Orders!! Lasagna for dinner, the some recreational alcohol abuse WITH a chaser LOL...  Bill

[ppat324]

I couldnt afford to stay at the Holiday Inn last night, but struggling through 6 years of school to be an OB-GYN paid off. Those puppies slid right in like they were made for it. Some bolts had to go into the pipes first. All the clutch stuff lined right up too. Right now I am exactly where I wanna be! At my desk drinking coffee... Doctors Orders!! Lasagna for dinner, the some recreational alcohol abuse WITH a chaser LOL...  Bill

So, before I say something I will regret, Thank you all for the birthday wishes.

Now for the regret.....Only 6 years OB-GYN????? Love ya baby...pppat

[elagache]

Dear Bill, Pat, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Looking good!  However, your steering linkage is about as tight as on my wagon!  I thought with the exhaust manifolds you'd have a bit more room!

So how are you going to route the dipstick and tube?

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Greeting Edouard and fellow Buick Dipsticks LOL... The DS is going right back in the hole front whence it came. Thats just aft of #5 cylinder. This one has a tube with a "stay" that runs to the cylinder head where the heat stove gets bolted to. Its a 455 thing.

Spent the better part of one hour installing the ex. pipe gaskets.  What a breeze! Cleaned and never seized bolts, tapped holes, and new gaskets... it all slid into place again. Im thinking about using this for my masters thesis for my clinical PHD in Gyneco.... never mind

Spent the rest of the day MUing (mocking up) the front end with pulleys and such. Not quite where I wanted to be today as the '64 power steering pump and brackets, although a direct bolt up were not in line on the pulleys. Gonna go pick up a set of 455 brackets and pump tomorrow. The alternator was close enough to make a judgement call. Straight edge looks good but difficult to get on it. Im picking up a belt tomorrow for a visual; the eyes dont lie! Also fit the fuel pump. Its a common problem with roller chains to rub on the arm, but this one is absolutely clear. I filed the holes an extra 1/16" just to be sure.

The OEM pump and parts looks like new, so if anyone needs it sing out. Its a nice piece and is VERY CORRECT. All rinsed out(hoses), cleaned and painted.  See pics... Bill

[Brian]

Bill,
   Have you considered making 3 spacers and using some longer bolts to space the PS bracket off the front of the head further so it will line up?  You can make them out of a piece of 3/8 steel plumping pipe from the hardware store.

[yachtsmanbill]

I am absolutely not opposed to making shims to align stuff; did billion dollar turbine alignment stuff at the power plant for 30 years, HOWEVER, the pump is back at the very least 1-2 inches AND the 64 ran the belt over the top of the water pump (3 pulleys) whereas the 455 used just the lower pulley (2 pulleys). The 455 unit is also much more compact, plus I do have the OEM 455 pulleys.

The alternator may be 1/8 - 1/4 off as well. but that can be done with an aluminum plate so the judges will never see it LOL... Thats getting a belt today to confirm alignment. Need the adjuster arm for that.

Gonna go see my buddy up here that has a barn full of 455 stuff. Thats where I got the heads, intake and crank from for 100.00. This pump looks good and Ill include the V6-300 pulleys with it. Hopefully some one needs it!  Bill

This is a before shot of my 1972 455. I dont think the HEI will clear the old pump either.

[elagache]

Dear Bill, Brian, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Greeting Edouard and fellow Buick Dipsticks LOL... The DS is going right back in the hole front whence it came. Thats just aft of #5 cylinder. This one has a tube with a "stay" that runs to the cylinder head where the heat stove gets bolted to. Its a 455 thing.

In retrospect a silly question my part.  There was some challenges in getting the dipstick around the headers in my trusty wagon's engine.  However, you are using the exhaust manifolds that Buick designed for that engine, so indeed everything should line up as it did at the factory.

Gonna go pick up a set of 455 brackets and pump tomorrow.

. . . . . That's great news! . . . . . . because that means you can get a power steering pump in CHROME!!! . . .  . . . .

Cheers, Edouard 

[yachtsmanbill]

Sooo.... while out junking tonight, I picked up a PS pump from a 1970 455 with all the brackets and bolts, a big car air cleaner, and a nice OEM 1970 dipstick... NO TUBE REQUIRED. I thought of Edouard when I saw it. Throttle cable bracket, PCV formed hose, Alt upper bracket all for 25.00.  Lotsa cleaning tomorrow!  Bill