3.8 Buick to 350 Oldsmobile swap

[houston_t]

So here is the deal I just recently picked up a 83 cutlass with the Buick 3.8 in it and as much as I love the reliability of the car I just can’t get over the takeoff speed. Anyhow I sold my buddy a rebuilt 455 that I planned to put in my drop 71 cutlass but I sold that car, he’s putting it in his 72 cutlass so I have access to his stock 350 rocket. What would it take to make the 350 work in my car ? To simplify the question and be more specific what would it take acessory drive wise to make it work in my car and retain the ac. I know to make it fit it’s just motor and frame mounts, but what accessories work ? For instance his ac compressor is on the same side as mines (passenger) but he has the longer style compressor can I make this work easily ? My biggest concern is the ac I can figure everything else I think.

 

[565bbchevy]

I would think you could use the complete accessory drive from a 307 that uses the R4 compressor, on my 86' Regal I used a complete Olds 307 AC set up and adapted it to my SBC that I installed so that it is mounted on the passenger side, they do sell replacement hoses but I made my own.

 

[ELCAM]

I have a 78 olds 350 in my El Camino it has the R4 (The long A/C compressor is an A6) compressor on the pass side and the alternator and P/S pump on the drivers side. Think all 77 up Olds V8s are set up like this.

R4 = Radial 4 cylinder compressor.
A6 = Axial 6 cylinder compressor.

 

[MrSony]

find a 307 parts car. need the frame mounts, motor mounts, starer, as much of the engine harness as you can get, fan shroud, fan, radiator, etc. basically everything from a 307 g body will fit the 350 olds.

 

[houston_t]

Thanks for the help guys. I know for almost the same money I could probably ls swap it but I’m trying not to go down that road again lol. I will prob just wind up doing the Holley fuel injection setup on it.