Raining out today, so nothing new to post. I do need to get to the junk yard and pick up some things.
- Mufflers
- fuel line
- wire loom

Once I have everything I need, its just a matter of putting it together. I do have to put an intake gasket on the motor before I can attempt to start.

But the stand is wired up already and I have turned the motor over with the starter.

The engine stand is basically all setup. Gauges are in place (Tach, oil pressure and temperature) and a switch for the electric fan.

The wiring was not as hard as had thought it would be.
Everything works and I even have the alternator wired so it should charge as it runs too .

I do need to source an upper radiator hose. I have a feeling Im going to have to make it from a plastic pipe and just use rubber hose to connect it on the ends as the shape needed just wont work with an all rubber hose without kinking.








The lower rad hose worked out well with one I got with the radiator from the junk yard. Its actually out of a 95 Dodge Caravan, but it was aluminum, came with the fan and the right size I needed for the engine stand.

My first post - A summary since 2005

Since that time I have done some cosmetic restoration.

Parts of the front suspension were cleaned and painted

New brakes all around













This was the front suspension clean up while I re-did the brakes and wheel cylinders.
















I took the motor out for a clean up and new seals and gaskets.

Before





Using a wire brush I cleaned the block, new timing chain, new water pump, all new gaskets. Correct Buick Red paint was used. At this point Im ready to start putting the accessories back on.









While the motor was out, the transmission was also stripped and cleaned. New seals in the transmission too.












With the accessories all attached, it looked beautiful. A piece of art!


















With the help of my neighbor, Dr. Lopez (I call him Dr.) we slipped the motor and trans back in. We bolted the trans on first and put them in together.

The engine bay was also cleaned, painted and detailed.













Ready to be installed













This is my neighbor - Dr.














Finally back in its spot with all the accessories bolted on.













Last fall we had some family pictures taken at Rawlins College near downtown Orlando. I took the Buick and we had some pictures taken with it. Here's one of my favorties that I took of the car by itself.

And here's one with my two favorite girls.

So all this seems like a lot for a first post. But that gets you up to speed to where I am today... Well almost. The car currently has its original 35o cubic inch engine. Its numbers matching and there is nothing wrong with it. But the motor everyone wants is the Buick 455!

So....Im in the process now of putting together a 455 that was taken out of a 1972 Buick Riviera before I purchased it. I have another identical engine for parts, and a couple of 1973 blocks and rotating assemblies if I need them.

The 455 from the Riviera is currently on an engine test stand that I'm slowly putting together. It has a radiator, battery, fuel cell, gauges etc. Everything needed to run the motor outside the car. Once the engine tests successfully I'll tear it down for a soft rebuild. Basically, I'll put in all new seals and gaskets, then paint just like what I did with the 350 above.


Here is a teaser picture that will start off the next major project - a 350 to 455 engine swap


In this picture, there are actually four 455 motors...LOL
So My posts starting after this will be of getting this motor started on the stand. And if it checks out, I'll continue with more pictures and posts of its restoration