[supersix]

I would like to put a 421-428-455 in my '57 Chevy. Has anyone done this or seen one? What would be the problem areas? Thanks.

[supersix]

I would like to put a 421-428-455 in my '57 Chevy. Has anyone done this or seen one? What would be the problem areas? Thanks.

[PMDRACER]

Besides outrunning most tri-5's on the street, (is that really a problem?) the wiring would probably be the biggest hurdle, being that the starter is on the opposite side, etc.
Other than that, with the aftermarket as it is you could build one of these cars from scratch. Parts will not be a problem.
I've always wanted a tri-5 Safari.

[zbuickman]

Theres a red 56 210 with a 389 tripower running around the area here. and theres a pic of one in the latest HPP.

[MetalHead175]

I've always wanted a 55 210 with a 455, its a pretty sweet idea, make a fun car thats for sure.

[firebum]

MetalHead175,

How about a 400 in the '56 Willys Station Wagon?

With a THM 400 and a Ford 9".

Think we ought try it?

Jim

[MetalHead175]

Or better yet a 479 in that Willy's wagon huh dad? Better yet slap a 671 blower on that bad boy, with that weight over the rear tires you got a fast wagon

[almeyer]

Since stock 55-57 Chevys used a front motor mount, to install any late model motor requires fabricating or purchasing aftermarket side mount motor frame mounts. There are several that would work. You will also probably need an after market crossmember for the trans. For a 55 or 56 I would recommend moving the battery from the firewall to the trunk

[RandyW]

I knew 2 brothers in the late '60's that had a '57 Bel Air 2dht with a '63 SD 421. They also had a '47 Chevy with a 427 Chevy in it.

[bmpmdf]

If you want, I will give you a guys number who had a 57 chevy that he put a 421 in. Was a record holder at a 1/8 mile dragstrip for several years.

[straycat]

hey supersix, hows your 455 into a 57 project going. i'm was surfing and saw you were attempting it. what trans are you using 4 speed/auto? i'm just getting started with my own 455 into a 55 2 dr hdtp.

[PLAY400]

Doing that right now except I have a Canadian 55 Pontiac which is esentially a 55 Chevy frame and firewall with the rest being Pontiac. Nobody makes a kit that will work with any Pontiac mounts. You can buy a trans hanger from meyers.

I made a bar that bolts to the 3 motor mount holes along the oil pan. Using 67-69 Firebird mounts I extended the bar so that I use 1 of the engine mounting holes and tapped a new 1 at the front end of the bar to move the mount as far forward as possible. Then made a couple of mounts on the front crossmember. Works. For the tranny I'm using an early Firebird 400 crossmember which sits on a couple of pieces of angle iron welded to the frame.

Wiring is a snap cause the starter now sits under the fuse box. Just shorten wires. Distributer, hei, headers, oilfilter, no problem

Problem's are:
Had to lose the steering box. Exhaust manifolds interfer. Tried cutting a hole in the firewall and pushing the motor back but it had to go to far back and wasn't worth it. Closed the hole. Couldn't move the motor forward because the oil pan interferred with the steering. Going to try to do something with a 86-92 Buick Electra rack.


If you want pics let me know. Just pulled the motor yesterday to finish the welding off so I should be able to take some decent 1's. Alan

[Jack Gifford]

supersix-
I've put Pontiacs into 2 '57 Chevy's, and it was real straightforward. I'm confused by play400's steering box/manifold problem, as I ran old Hedman headers that were bulkier than manifolds, and kept the complete original steering. I did modify the headers- short collecters that pointed straight down- but I'm sure that manifolds would have been very easy.
The most interference I recall was the back of the driver's-side head to the firewall- since the "stagger" of left/right banks is opposite to a Chevy V8. I did some ugly hammering of the firewall!
I was using an early Hydramatic, so I kept the 2 bellhousing mounts (no rear trans mount) and used the Hurst mount kit to the front crossmember, resulting in a 4-point mounting. I still have the Hurst mount- interested? Actually, the Hurst is made for a '55-60 timing cover, so I'd need to look at a later timing cover to see if it would fit.
There was no need to move the battery or anything else.
PS- my Chevy's weren't power steering- maybe that makes a difference.

[Jack Gifford]

Just went to look at the Hurst mount. You'd need a timing cover that's at least early enough to have the 2 bottom ears that slope about 45 degrees, to take an original Pontiac front mount bracket (which I've got) for the Hurst mount to bolt to. The kit includes 2 mount boxes that bolt to the crossmember, then Ford flathead rubber "biscuits" between the boxes and the mount. It worked real good to resist engine torque.

[azbirds]

I'm putting a 72 455 HO in my 56 Potiac Wagon and decided to upgrade the front suspension. In went a 78 T/A subframe,so the engine goes right in. It sat too far forward so I modified the mounts to bring it back 5 inches. Car should be on the street in a month.

[cheviac]

I can't believe how many people are doing the same installation! I'm putting a '64 421HO tripower with T-10 tranny in a 55 Chevy hardtop. Maybe we could get our own forum site...Pontiacs in non-pontics.

Has anybody encountered any other problems we haven't mentioned yet? What are you guys using for rear ends? No way a stock chevy rear will hold up to Pontiac torque.

[Jack Gifford]

Cheviac- way to go! Rear axle choice is a matter of personal preference- many choices out there. My Pontiac/Chev's were 40 years ago and I just used a posi in the '57 rears- didn't have tires that could hurt the rear end- even with the 4.08 first gear of the hydrostick (but only a '58 370 tripower).
Done any of the engine/trans mountings yet? What have you done about the back of the driver's side head hitting the firewall?
I remember that I made the top part of the radiator core support removable- but can't remember if it was necessary, or if it just made it easier to set the engine/trans in and out.

[cheviac]

I am just at the point of mocking up the engine and tranny before I take the body off. I was planning on mounting the engine as far forward as I could. I'll let you know how it goes from there but if nobdy else is interested in that Hurst mount I would be.

[straycat]

cheviac-i'm installing a 57 pontiac rear in my 55 2 door hdtp. got it for $50. i'm told it will bolt right in, no moving spring perches, has 31 spline axles. plus its 1 inch shorter overall length than chevy for tire/wheel clearance. posi's still available on e bay for early pontiac 57-64 rears or 31 and 35 spline spools from chrismans cal gear. pontiac and olds motors were popular swaps in the 50s thru early 60s into tri five chevys. the hiperformance chev smallblocks,w motors and rat motors took over.

[PLAY400]

Hey what are you guys doing about steering? My biggest problem cause the dr exhaust manifold is right into the box. Not a header or manifold problem but the actual center exhaust port of the head. Can't clear it by moving the motor front, (steering linkage) or back (firewall. Started to modify the firewall but decided against it and welded it closed again. I also removed the acc. boss on the driver head. Gave me the last bit of clearance iI needed. Putting in a rack to eleminate the steering problem but worried about bump steer. I have pictures of the motor bracket I made and the frame mounts that drop off the front crossmemeber if anyone wants. Lots of room for headers etc.