looking for buick advise

I am going to look at a 73 Estate tomorrow. Its an original, loaded, 455 car and has been sitting for a while. It was in an estate sale oddly enough. So, I have minimal experience with the buick motor, and this one has the common low oil pressure which i know is generally caused by wear in the timing cover cavity for the pump.
1. Anyone know where I can get the timing cover for this thing.
2. Any idea what donor cars could provide a clutch pedal and linkage set up? Got one?
3. Any common issues with these cars? it isnt a vista roof car. It has a power back window. Is that motor still available?
4. I am going to pull the factory wheel covers and steelies and probably go for a set of 16" Magnum 500's. Anyone have other suggestions and pics I can use to leech ideas?

Thanks guys and of course Gals.

 

I imagine a B-body clutch setup might work for that (C-body is it?), but I don't know of too many '71-'76 Impalas running around with manual transmissions.

Based on my extensive research you should definitely keep the steelies and run dog dishes for maximum effect.

 

Do you know you're looking at a clamshell wagon?
It's got two motors in back - one for the glass, one for the gate. Anything from any other clamshell should fit. Probably some remanufactured units out there somewhere.

Curious as to why you would ant to put a manual trans in one of these... Kind of out-of-character with the car.

Sorry - can't help you with the other issues.

 

I suspected it was a clamshell car, I had a 74 grand safari years ago that had motor problems. It was a pain to be sure. That was before the internet was so prevalent however. Might not be such an issue now. As for the 5 spd. I really dont like automatics, and I intend to replace my truck with the wagon. I am towing a car trailer behind it and like the low first gear, and the overdrive. An od auto resticts me to a 200 4R for the correct bolt pattern, but I suspect the car has a TH400 so the size and output shaft are wrong. If I go 700 R4 then size and output shaft are right and I need an adapter for the bolt pattern. I dont like adapters on bellhousings. PLus I cant tow in OD with the 700 R4 unless I pour a bunch of money into it.

I also really have a thing for a station wagon with a bench seat, and a manual shifter. just screams cool to me. I agree it is way out of the spirit for the Buick wagon. I was originally shopping Pontiac, with the possibility for a Chevy, or Ford. Either are more in keeping with the manual. This Buick is the first wagon that meets all the major criteria I want in the right price range. It will ultimately not remain in my collection I suspect but I can at least prevent it from getting cut up for the 455 or ending up in a Demo Derby. Both of which are its probably futures right now. It will also get me a wagon finally so I can ditch this truck I hate.

I am really picky about my cars and workmanship so when It leaves I will put it back like original and it will be like it never happened. Unless someone want it with the manual in it. It will look like GM put it there so maybe I wont have to demod it.

 

I think a manual trans in the Buick is a great idea. What transmission are you planning to put behind the 455? I don't know of too many stock 5 speed transmissions that could hold up to that torque. You might also take a cue from the late model ('94-'96) Impala SS crowd and how they do their manual transmission swap. A T-56 could probably last in your application, but there are certain complications that arise from that swap not the least of which is the initial cost of the transmission.

 

Thanks for the support. I do feel bad about doing it to a Buick. Buicks are supposed to be luxury. Manual transmissions are not luxury. Although while I was living in Germany I had a 6 spd BMW and Mercedes come that way as well so that really just an American perception.

I am actually thinking of using a ZF from a full size truck. no external linkage, similar to the t-5 and t-56 and really prevalent. Should be able to score one cheap. my big concern is the size. My f350 has a HUGE trans. I doubt it will fit in the tunnel its really tall. I plan to lower the car about 2 inches depending on tires and such. That will of course necessitate load bags for towing. But I worry the trans will drag over rough ground or hard rebounds. The roads in TX are not very good in most places, and I have driven into fields to drag out parts cars. I will do it with the buick as well.

Of course this is all academic. I havent been able to get my schedule to match the sellers. He bailed on Friday when I was supposed to see it. As of right now this is the first wagon that is a serious contender so it could come together.

 

I didnt know there was a swap for those cars. That opens up a whole new set of options to me. If the Buick doesnt go thru, a late model chevy with the T-56 and a stroked LT1 or LS1 motor would be super cool and pull tree stumps. Plus those wagons are everywhere.

 

Go over to impalassforum.com. There have been many guys that have done the T-56 swap. There is a company (name escapes me at this point) that makes all of the bracketry and pedals for the swap. You can also modify F-Body parts, but from what I hear it is not as clean as the kit.

How smoothly does that ZF truck trans shift? Some truck transmissions don't shift quite as nicely (in my opinion) compared to car transmissions.

Here is one article on the B-Body trans swap.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/48479_chevy_impala_ss_wagon_six_speed_swap/index.html


http://www.bigfastcar.com/

 

I can't get my mind around a manual transmission in a clamshell. I would have thought that the base model Chevrolets could have been optioned with one, but it would have been a three-speed column-shift. A five-speed floor-shift would just look odd and, as has been suggested, would not suit the car at all.
If you tow huge loads and don't like trucks or automatics, the SI Land Rover Discovery V8 was sold in the US for some time with a 5-speed main gearbox and a dual-range transfer case, giving ten forward gears. The V8 is quite small by US standards (3.9 litres) but the Discovery will tow anything, and make a wonderful burbling noise in the process. You also have the advantage of four-wheel drive. They can be rather unreliable, so be careful if this option holds any appeal.

 

Cool idea to convert a clamshell wagon to manual. (still don't understand why you would have manual if you can have automatic / want to have a console in stead of column shifting / have seats in stead of a bench ) Manual, console and seats are soooo European/Japanese and boring.

I can understand it here while it is more like a challenge to convert an automatic to a never factory made manual.

I know Buick had a few manuals made between 71 and 73 (LeSabre) but those were 3 on the tree.

I know of a boattail '71 Riviera converted to 4-speed manual:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yffL7mF8IfI


Maybe contact Steve Schiebel:
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=208393

 

Wow, so I think people are saying dont do the conversion. I ll keep it in mind when I get serious to do it. As for the Land Rover there are 2 problems 1. Too new. This 73 is actually too new as well, but its so correct everywhere else I am overlooking that. 2. I only drive American.

Ok. So When the 5 spd goes in the bench seat will stay. There will be no console. Just a boot on the floor and a tall shifter. That says way cool to me. I prefer to drive a stick. Automatics are from Soccer moms IMO. THe towing advantage is just a bonus. If this car never pulls anything I would still put a stick in it.

The ZF isnt as smooth as my T5, no question, but with fresh rebuild it should be too bad either. the long shift handle will definately smooth it out.

 

The conversion must move forward. I think automatic transmissions are boring. But wait. Have you even been able to look at the car yet?

 

I'm not a soccer mom, but I still prefer automatics in my daily driver. In a hot rod a rock crusher 4 speed is just the ticket.
But in a daily driver, it's kinda hard to driver shift gears, and yell at the kids to stop fighting, and not run under one of the oversized 4 wheel drives, or in the giant holes in the road they call potholes, around here.

Especially on 75 in Plano those people are

 

its too hard to ..shift...smoke...drink coffee...and talk on the phone....

thats my reasons for an AUTO

 

Somebody ban this kangyuato clown please.