You've got it backwards, the 421/428/455 have 3.25" mains and the smaller engines have 3" or even smaller mains from '58 and earlier. All of 'em have 2.25" rod journals.
What about 66-67 olds cutlass wagons.They didn't have the glass top the vista cruisers had.64-65 cutlass wagons are cool also.330 olds with a 4 speed 4:11 posi.Then I would drive to get the groceries.The 64-67 oldsmobiles had 330 v8's that were rated at around 300 hp.I've owned quite a few of these engines.Or if you could find one try a 66-67 400 olds
Ha,ha that's exactly what I thought too... "I am looking to make a rod out of a mid-60's to mid-70's station wagon"
I'll second this. Great engines, loads of torque, and bulletproof. My engine has a supposed 90K on it (and if you buy that, i've got beachfront property...yada, yada, yada), and it hasn't even displayed the first signs of a problem. (my previous-owner-modified wiring system, on the other hand.......) Anyway, a galaxie wagon would be awesome (seats 9!!!!) Something to think about anyway...
Well if you want this thread to go the way of bullet proof lower ends..Mopar is it hands down!..ever look at the girdle of a mopar engine? compair it with anything Gm or Ford no contest..the lower end of the mopar engine is way superior..Now that ive opened this can of worms im leaving and watching ..so i can get a good laugh...shit disturber
Hell yeah. There are even a couple Galaxie wagons in the HAMB Classifieds that can be had for a decent price.....
Get a Caddy Hearse,and convert it into a Wagon. Confuse the Hell out of everyone,if you did it right.
take personal choice out of and useing your top 3 it has to be big block chevy. will bolt into a 64 and up chevelle wagon. most power per dollar.
I would go with either the Pontiac 455. I'd imagine it had more performance parts than the Olds and Buick. Also, I like the Mopar 440. According to a couple of Car Craft and Hot Rod articles, it's cheaper to build up than the bb Chevy.
didn't he say something about a budget??? 426 hemi just sounds expensive and rare to me. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong cars. +1 on the BB mopar though.
IVANOGBURN, Not 100% sure if this is what you are after, but here is my daily driver. It's a 1965 Buick Sport Wagon, the Buick version of the Olds Vista Cruiser. Originally it came with a 300 V-8, powerglide and peg-leg 10 bolt rear. I am currently breaking in the new drive train. It now has a 383 sbc, turbo 350 trans & a brand new 12 bolt posi with 3:42 gears. I wanted it to be fast and dependable. I also upgraded the brakes with front disk and aftermarket sway bars front and rear. Next on the list is heating and air. Sean
Slick Wagon Sean. That is exactly what I am after. I had a shot at one of those wagons with a 300, but it seemed like a lot of work for a fast wagon (it also had some broken glass issues!). I am considering a '69 Pontiac Bonneville Safari with a stock 428 V8. But man your ride looks nice.
Thanks Ivan, My suggestion for a wagon in the late 60' to early 70's is to stay with the GM "A" body wagons, nice size, not too big or too small. Chevelles, Skylark, Tempest and Cutlass. They all share the basic frame and when updating and searching for suspension parts you can use Chevelle stuff. They make so much for Chevelles it's crazy. You can get disk brakes, sway bars and even a beefy 12 bolt rearend to light up the pavement. Good luck, Sean
This thread just brought back to mind a project I've had on the back burner for about 20 years. I've always wanted a 427/454 (built, plenty of torque/hp.) in a 1970 Chevelle wagon with a 4/5 spd. It would be painted charcoal grey with black SS strips and polished 5 spokes, and lowered just a tad. Frank
Check out my wagon. It's only a SBC, but I think it's still kinda cool. http://www.flickr.com/photos/11929667@N00/sets/72057594110671642/ Check out the pics and the captions for the whole story. The SBC did make 545 hp though. That was on crappy 87-octane. The engine story is here: http://www.compcams.com/Community/Articles/Details.asp?ID=1945664039 You'll see in that story I also built a 355 using the same parts as the 383, and it made 515 hp on 87-octane. I guess what I'm saying is that if you want to build a cool wagon and funds are kinda limited, you can build a really decent Chevelle wagon if you invest those funds in the right places. A bigger engine doesn't necessarily mean its going to be faster or more desirable. In my case, handling was a big priority so a big-block wasn't in the cards- it'd simply be more weight over the nose and I knew I could make good power with the lightweight small-block. Think way ahead on what you want the car to do, and plan the build accordingly. Then, make a solid effort to stick to that plan. My wagon was supposed to be a 'decent tow vehicle' for my more-serious project car. But, I went a little overboard. That's okay though. I'll live with it. ~Scotch~
I wrote the book on 440s literally. It is a very reliable inexpensive engine that can produce over 500 hp in street form with no excotic parts and it will do it till the cows come home.Milegae in a properly set up car can also be surprisingly good. Personally i drive daily a grand daddy of the 440 , a 426 max wedge. 440 is 375 hp in stock magnum form , 390 hp in six pack form and if you tickle it slightly will give an honest 500+ streetable pwer. If you are insane and have way too much money then 600+ is possible but it takes the fun out of it and the reliaibilty. The Book? Oh it is called "Old Reliable" should come up on google or whatever.
There used to be a guy in Modesto with a 440 in a station wagon that ROCKED! I'd go with a 440 mopar in a B body mopar wagon... Sam.
can i put my 2 cents in? mid- 60s 65-66 impala w/turbojet 396/427 plenty of room and plenty of power w/acool body style ,late 60s same deal BB in a malibu body, early 70s go with the estate wagons w/ 454s Brian
I think you are biased though, don't ya think? They may be bulletproof, but they can't stand up to me tightening the valve covers down!
The Jalopy Journal
