[hawaii65malibu]

I have already committed to buying this 65 Malibu and the last thing the seller said to me yesterday is that the rear main seal is leaking and now he has volunteered to rent a lift, pull the 283 and fix the rear main cuz he said the shipping company doesn't want a car thats leaking on the ship, but I am in the process of rebuilding a heathy 455 Stage-1 from a 74 Buick and wondered if anyone has dropped one of these in a 65 or there abouts Chevelle. Crazy question, but different powerplants are always making their way into something different so if anyone has done this or has a friend that has. Let me know how it went.
I was planning on pulling the 283, installing a new gasket kit, gear-drive, headers, and detailing the engine compartment and then mating it to my '84 El Camino's TH350 and then back into the 65 Malibu. I don't mind keeping the smaller powerplant, especially with the gas prices these days.
283 or 455? I know the 455 means a new cowl hood or go through the stock one..INPUT??

 

[yost44]

no replacement for displacement

 

[eric13617]

There was another thread started about this same thing a few years back. Seems there was as much discussion on it, as there has been in recent years for putting a Ford 9" in a Chevelle as well."People call my Chevelle a halfbreed all the time."There is not doubt it will fit, but you may need a BOP transmission or at least a bellhousing. Motor mounts will be different as well. And the torque of a 455 versus a 283 will be amazing, to say the least....But it can and has been done. Hell, there is one guy on here who has put a Viper V-10 in a 66 or 7 Beaumont, I believe.

 

[novaderrik]

put the big Buick in it. you won't regret it.
if anyone gives you crap, just ask if whatever they have is faster..

 

[richietables]

no replacement for displacement

That's true, yeah---- BUT: You'll have to change some things to move that fast! Brakes and handling, the weight of the motor, etc, will be different in a car that was set up for 195 hp.

Now- I just got the 283 back in after 6 years with a .060 over 327... Stock "SS" 3.08 gears mated to a stock TH350... You said you planned a new gear; good! And headers will help. I built mine with 416 heads with 1.94 intake valves, Performer EPS intake, Summit HEI, 500 CFM carb. Nice, but not too fast. I need a new gear and an OD tranny.

I'd stick with the 283. You'll get better than double the mileage... With the 455 you'll never see 10 mpg, brother--

Congrats on your new '65!:beers:

 

[68chevelle533]

If it is a running car, drive it and enjoy it for a while, then swap in the 455.Or you may sell the 455 and build a 383 for it, it would be an easier swap.

 

[70-SS454]

455 Buick is a torque MONSTER!

 

[animal69]

I've got a buddy that puts 455 Buicks into every car he owns. He has been doing it since the early 70's. I remember a '72 ford flatbed he bought new, drove it home, and pulled the engine and replaced it with the Buick and weht back to the ford dealer for service. He likes messing with people.

 

[the heckler]

there is very nice looking young lady around here with a 69 malibu that has a 500 cu in caddy motor in it. it hauls the junk. sure the buick swap can be done with several modifications...sounds like "fun" to me....

 

[rkd]

I am old skool and cranky, I would keep the 283, it belongs there.

Just don't care for mix and match, not to mention the fact that it seems to lower the value of everything except old roadsters.

There are much easier ways to go fast.

 

[richietables]

I am old skool and cranky, I would keep the 283, it belongs there.

Just don't care for mix and match, not to mention the fact that it seems to lower the value of everything except old roadsters.

There are much easier ways to go fast.

There you go! x2! :beers::beers:

 

[Guest]

I knew of a '64/'65 that had a hopped up Buick 455 in it years ago and you talk about a mover!!

Do it!

BUT, that said, I'd rather see you drop in a warmed over 500 Cad instead!

pdq67

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[charbilly2001]

There you go! x2! :beers::beers:

X3. I've had a 65 with a 283. There's nothing in the world like the scream of a 283 at power.

 

[hawaii65malibu]

Well, I have to say thanks to all of you that helped me out with this decision. I got alot of members in favor of the 455, but between the replies and PM's, the 283 has it. Besides, the 455 would require so many mods, especially to the frame and chassis so that torque monster doesn't twist the '65 into a pretzel...LOL
I have decided to stay with the 283 and since we're on this subject, I wanted to make this car as solid as possible. I plan to pull the 283 and regasket the entire motor. I'll keep the block, crank and pistons in tact since it was recently rebuilt and bored 0.040 over.
Wanted to install a gear drive, roller rockers, HEI, headers, swap the p-glide for my th350(w/shift kit) and get a bigger stall, etc
Not looking for any 1/4 mile screamer, more like a nice daily driver that'll get up and go on the hwy's and freeways. Some off the line grunt would be nice, but I am more interested in the ability to move around town comfortably with some low-end grunt, but more top end cruising ability. Hope I'm not expecting too much.
Anyone want to take a stab at putting a list together of parts along with what I've already listed and improve on them if you wish.
I would like to keep the stock cylinder heads unless there are replacement ones for the 283 that are VERY reasonably priced. I am not looking to break any records. As long as she runs nice and sounds good. Maybe a top end rebuild kit or a cam recommendation to give it some more HP...Just need some help if you'all don't mind...

 

[71BBB]

Buick 455 all day!

Trq is good!

 

[ed g]

big is bad

 

[hawaii65malibu]

Bad as in BAD, or as in cool??