Car: 79 lincoln continental, 4900 pounds.
Currently: stock 400 2bbl and C6.
Want: mo power.

Here is the deal...i am not out to build a drag car, but the factory 400 has limited build potential and no HP (160!!).

I want to replace it and the trans, with a readily available (read cheap) boneyard sourced big block and trans, any brand, any year. Emmissions is not an issue. This car is huge, so anything will fit.

I can do a cam, perhaps intake and carb, and will likely upgrade the ignition. Torque is my objective. Budget is my limitation.

I like the Pontiac 455. a friend had one is a 70 bonneville, 10.5:1, 4bbl - beastly thing. I think these were plentiful in their day, and not in demand as a chevy 396 ot 454 might be, so easier to find and cheaper.
I had a Charger with a warmed over 400, a friend had a 440 Police interceptor in a big ass fury. Seemed to go good, the 400 was pretty good...the 440 broke the cam, died a horrible death. Not sure how plentiful 440's will be, or the performance hit using a 400.

I have no experience with buick 455 or big olds engines. I have nothing against a 460 or even a 390, but the 390s will be rare and most 460's will be smog motors, so a rebuild with pistons and all may be a budget killer.

Anyone have any specs or thoughts on this?

I know I will have to adapt the power steering pump (lincoln has juice brakes - GM did hat on the 80's diesel cars and trucks so one of those pumps might work on GM engine)
alternator can be GM/Mopar or adapted. I have hte GM style AC compressor now.