[428BIRD]

I have a 69 Firebird, originally a 350 car, but the 350 was replaced with a 67 428 from a catalina. The swap took place sometime in the early 70's. The car runs ok and I love a pontiac motor but it is growing tired as we speak. Definate need of a rebuild! I recently found a very solid Oldsmobile 455 from a 76 Delta. I was thinking to maybe do a minor rebuild on the 455, since it's already on the stand, until I could stick gobs of money into the 428 to make it perfect.(on a budget right now) But will the 455 fit into the 69 Bird and bolt up. The bird has the original 350 tranny yet. Or should I forget the Olds and stick with the pure pontiac? I am somewhat new at buiding motors so any imput or rebuild suggestions on either motor would be awsome. Thanks Rob

[joe_padavano]

While I'm an Olds fan, the 455 is completely different externally from the Pontiac motor. The only thing that WILL bolt up is the bellhousing. The motor mounts are different. You'll either need to fabricate something or find the mounts from a 73 or 74 Olds Omega with the Olds 350 motor (the Omega subframe is virtually the same as the one in the first gen F-body cars). All the accessory brackets will be different and the accessories may be located in different places. The exhaust will be different also.

[Hippie]

I like 'em both but keep your Pontiac all Pontiac. PLEASE! Oh and Joe is quite correct.

[428BIRD]

OK THANKS. Ill stick with the pontiac then. Any suggestions on a rebuild. Hoping to get 400hp without killing wallet. Should I have the heads ported/polished or invest in Edelbrock new? Prolly bore cylinders .030 over, or can I get away with more. Piston and cam suggestions???

[azbandit]

I've got a 68 bird with a 30 over 428 from a 69 grand prix. It has a Lunati Bracketmaster II, Edelbrock heads, Edelbrock Torker II manifold, Hedman Hustler Headers with a 3" exhaust, Harland-Sharp 1.65 roller rockers, and an ATI ProCharger. The sucker is a rocket and more fun to drive than jet. I highly recommend keeping the 428 and building it. The "pump doctor" at Melling estimates my engine at 450 HP naturally and 700 with the supercharger @ 5pounds of boost. I have no reason to doubt him.