Im new and could use some help

Hello

My name is Andrew Brewer and I have a 72 2 door post buick skylark with a 350 2 barrel ..... it has begun leaking oil from some where about the PEC valve (I hope im calling this right its the valve on tope of the valve cover) to the transmission....... well at least thats where the damp spots were.... it also has a rattle nier the main berring and a valve rattle but nuthing too serious I think. I cleaned up the motor but could not find the leak....

I'm not sure what to do at this point and belive I should hunt for annother motor Just incase... im interested in a 455,350,or 470 all buick motors, and was wondering if the 470 was just a 455 bored out? If so how hard is it to find a well rebuilt 455 with a 4 speed auto transmission or will my 350 trany hook up? I realy don't have the equipment to put the tranny on to the 455 myself.... or should I hold on to the 350 since it is a numbers matching car? I love my buick and would not trade her for the world I just want to be able to keep driving it with out worrieing.

I may just be imagining things since it is a 30 year old car and is only loosing around a quart and a half of oil every 600 to 1000 miles.... (yea I put a lot on a car)..It is my daily driver, and will stay that way as long as they sell gas at the pumps!... or as long as the motor runs.

I would appriciate any advice.

Oil seeping from the top of the valve covers would be because of too much pressure building up inside the engine... either because your PCV valve (on the intake behind the carburator) is stuck shut, or because your piston rings are worn out and starting to leak cylinder pressure into the engine (which would account for going through all that oil too).

Now.. I've never seen the setup on a 2bbl... but both my 72 GS (350 4bbl originally) and the 74 455 I put in had the PCV valve where I stated... The valve cover should have either a Breather cap, or a hose going to the air cleaner housing where there will be a breather filter inside with the air filter.

Buick never made a 470... you're probably reffering to a 464 which is a bored out 455 (with some stroking too I think).

455 swaps are easy and common.... I personally wouldn't worry about #'s matching as you don't have a "sought after" model... post coupe skylarks are what most use for back-halfed drag cars. It's emotionally easier to cut one of those up for that then a real #'s matching GS or GSX. But its your car, do what you like to it. I'd just save the original engine incase you do sell it.

Your trans is a TH350 and will bolt to the 455... but if you build the 455 then it won't hold together long. Stock rebuild on the 455 with maybe a intake and headers should be fine.. if you have the TH350 rebuilt too. The only 4sp that will bolt to the 350/455 is the TH200r4... Grand National transmission.. and will need to be seriously beefed up to handle the torque of a 455. But the parts are out there, easy to get, and most shops will have the knowledge to build one right.

Try this site for parts & tech info: http://www.v8buick.com

Good Luck... I wish I never sold my GS. they are great cars.

Thank you for the information. What would be a good transmission to for a 455? Does the 455 put out too much torque to be as reliable as the 350?

I'm sorry for all the questions. I'm realy looking for reliablity because I can't change the rear end at this time. The way I understand it you could have a buick 455 but if the ratios don't hook up right then it realy dosn't matter. Am I right?

Again thanks for the information

Thank you for the information. What would be a good transmission to for a 455? Does the 455 put out too much torque to be as reliable as the 350?

I'm sorry for all the questions. I'm realy looking for reliablity because I can't change the rear end at this time. The way I understand it you could have a buick 455 but if the ratios don't hook up right then it realy dosn't matter. Am I right?

Again thanks for the information
The TH400 is the best trans for reliability... Skylarks use the Short shaft version... look for it under any GM A body car from 68-72 be careful of the chevy's though.. they are different bolt patterns.

Your car should have a 8.5 rear end, unless it's been switched or a Canadian model (those have a 12bolt)... so it'll handle the 455 regardless which gear you have. Low gears are actually good for the 455, as they put out soo much toruqe you don't need a 3.73 or larger gear to get her mooving. Although, with the 455, you will wish for a Posi :grinno:

Just about any 455 will be reliable, but have a BUICK person rebuild it for you, because their are some tricks that need to be done to the oiling system to make it more reliable.

Most engine shops deal with Chevys, and you can't build a buick with the sloppy tolerances those engines have...lol

Thanks man

The TH400 is automatic? and comes in a short shaft version?

I belive I can fix my crankshaft seal, but I could use a picture or a diagram of what it looks like between the transmission and the engine. So when I break in I will know what to expect and know what goes where. Can anyone help with that?

Just me with more questions :) thanks for the help guys

Thanks man

The TH400 is automatic? and comes in a short shaft version?

I belive I can fix my crankshaft seal, but I could use a picture or a diagram of what it looks like between the transmission and the engine. So when I break in I will know what to expect and know what goes where. Can anyone help with that?

Just me with more questions :) thanks for the help guys

3sp auto.. yes. and Yes again, the short shaft version will allow you to use a factory TH400 drive shaft. (using teh TH350 shaft will require it to be shortned)

There are two places where it can leak on the rear of the engine... the Rear main seal, and the Oil pan gasket. You won't know which one it is until you drop off the Torque Converter cover on the trans (4 bolts covering the flywheel) and peek up there with a flashlight to see where the oil is comming from. Make sure the engine above that point is clean, because it can be running down from above around the valve covers or the intake valley seal. But rear mains are notorious for leaking on Buicks...LOL.

For instructions or parts... TAperformance sells a neoprene seal that you might not have to drop the crank shaft to replace (rope seals are a PIA), thier site might have the directions or illistrations. http://www.TAperformance.com

I've never replaced one on the car before.. just when building my 455. that won't help you for steps...lol.