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| | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 5 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2011 Posts: 5 | I have access to a STRAIGHT 8 from a 1952 BUICK.
I am desperate to get any technical direction on the prospects of this FLAT 8 even having the possibility (even with minor modification) of FITTING/installing onto & within the my ORIGINAL FRAME on my 1946 Big Bolt....????
Anyone/any guidance please!
I know the block is likely too long, but does this have any potential at all?
Last edited by Kieran; 02/14/2012 4:18 AM.
Kieran K.
Farmville, VA
'47 ('46 Model/Art Deco) 1.5 Ton
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Do you have a tape measure?
What is the length difference and can you deal with that??? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 326 | Is it a 263 or a 320 cubic inch motor? The larger motor produced considerable torque. The 320 has a head length of 34½". But as Grigg says are you willing to put up with the extra length? It sure would be different. As far as specs and tech stuff, Google is your friend.
SimS | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 | The buick is an overhead motor. I'm told that the buick bellhousing would mate up to the SM420. That's all I know though. I asked about this same swap over on Team Buick. I think it would be great, but my engine source evaporated, and that's as far as I got.
If you are switching to an open driveline, there is an adaptor available, to go from the 320 bellhousing to a T-5, but the adaptor is about $1000.
You'd need to make new mounts, blah blah blah.
You can find all this stuff, like SimS said, with your pal google. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | Sounds pretty cool. My, guess is that you'll have to do some trimming on the firewall. The AD trucks already have clearance issues in the water pump area. It only makes sense that adding 2 more cylinders would only compound the problem. Being a flat 8, you lose a little height on the motor, so you might not have to do much trimming. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,853 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,853 | Buick IS NOT a flat 8. The Oldsmobile straight 8 was a flathead engine, IMHO. My main concern would be with the location of the shifter, and possibly fabricating a rear crossmember to support the bellhousing, plus clutch linkage. The firewall situation could be resolved by using a steel wheelbarrow tub welded into the cowl area like some of the hotrodders do when making oddball engine swaps.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 | The poncho was also a flattie. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | Jerry- Steel wheel barrow? That sounds incredibly clever.
A buddy of mine used to drag race a Hudson with a straight 8. His dad loved the old inlines. They put the Hudson 8 is a few different hot rods. I think they they even had a Deusenberg 8 too. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | I knew a gal that was a flattie.......Oh.....That doesn't go here does it?
I mean't she had a hard belly. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | You didn't say if your 1.5 ton is Chevy, or GMC. GMC radiators mount on the FRONT of the radiator support-that would give y ou some add'l length. There is a gentleman(name slips me right now) on the inliners board who makes adapter plates for CBOP which should work for you. GMC 302's can be bored out considerably(close to the 320 of the Buick) which would make an easier fit, unless you are in love w/ straight 8's. You might want to look for a 5 speed rather than a 420, even an OD if you are lucky.
Last edited by EdPruss; 02/15/2012 6:18 PM.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | Many years ago a friend of mine had a straight 8. It was about 6" longer than a GMC and about 8" longer than a Chev. He finally put it in a T roadster where he fabricated a frame. It looked and sounded cool, but it wasn't particularly quick. 6 to 8 inches is a lot to deal with when you can get the same power out of a 302 GMC. Unless you just want to be different, I don't think it is really worth the effort. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | the 320 Buick " Dynaflash 8" was used in late 40's Flxible buses, mated to the same GM 4 speed as found in a 46 truck - the 320 made 168hp [about the same as a late 70's 350] and lots of torque .... but aside from the coolest valve cover name you'd find, not a really practical conversion Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | May work if you want to build a ratrod or get Chip Foose to redesign your truck. Short of that IT WON'T FIT and as mentioned your shifter would be at the back of the cab. If you really want that many more cubes you may get a 270-302 jimmy to work, still would need to find more room. A friend of mine has built an inline '8' Buick and it's not cheap but if the money is no object you can build almost anything.
Best of luck
Last edited by JiMerit Boltr#43; 02/15/2012 8:40 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 75 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 75 | .... but aside from the coolest valve cover name you'd find, not a really practical conversion Bill That really is a groovy name! | | |
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