403 olds or 394 olds

[Bri guy]

Found a 394 Oldsmobile motor and transmission. Here is the ad (copy/pasted)
394 Oldsmobile rocket motor with hydro trans from a high compression G code 1962 Olds with 10 to 1 compression and 330 HP. Original red paint complete with carb, intake, distributor, fuel lines and glass filter, finned valve covers, fan blade, water pump, all pulleys, and exhaust manifolds.
I have a built 403....but would be nice to have another olds motor just in case. Would this be a better motor or am I better off just waiting for a big block. Guy is asking 600 for that stuff. My car is a 86 cutlass. I dont really need it, but I feel like I should grab it and start hoarding olds parts....my uncle hordes olds parts/cars like crazy, guess Im around him to much!

 

[pagrunt]

It would be a nice piece of Olds history but it's a Gen 1 Olds (original V8's '49-'64). Not sure even how much of a pin it will be to install into our generation cars.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Very different in mounting, accessories, bell housing etc. Those transmission's are junk as well. The best part about them is the many multiple carb manifold's.

 

[DRIVEN]

Would you put a flathead in a Mustang?

 

[ItsnotaGN]

I had a 63 Dynamic 88 I bought for 9 dollars in high school. 280HP green motor. When I fried the trans even back in 87 it was prohibitavely expensive to rebuild.

 

[Bri guy]

I will pass it up then. Thought it was a good deal and could drop in the car if needed. I will just hang tight with my 403 and wait for a different motor to come by

 

[oldsmobile joe]

the 394 weighs around 750lbs. and no modern trans bolts up to it unless you spend an additional $1200 for the adapter plates.
stick with the 403, its a no hassle install.

 

[Bri guy]

Wow. I got the 403 in the car (it's the car in the profile pic) Just figured I would grab a motor if it's cheap. Was hoping to find a good motor with more power than my 403. But it's a good running car. I will leave it alone.

 

[Bri guy]

So I found a olds 455. Not sure on the year but the casting number is 396021F which is years 68 to 72? Would that drop in my 86 olds or would the motor mounts need modified to fit

 

[spidereyes455]

Mounts are the same. Headers may be an issue small block olds ones won't fit BB ones last time I checked were expensive and usually have at least one tube routed through the wheelwell, its ben a while so things may have changed. Also if I'm not mistaken the A/C box is a tight fit with the valve cover and may need to modified for clearance, again its been a long time since I've gone through all the particulars of a BB olds install. Certainly doable it's not rocket science... or is it?