509 into a LeMans Wagon?

[sdj02]

I have a 1980 LeMans wagon with the small pontiac v8 in it. A friend of mine has an old Toronoto 509? that he said I can have. I was thinking of putting it in my old wagon for a toy. Can this 509 be put into the wagon? What other mods will I be in for?

Thanks!

 

[79elky454ss]

I am not aware of a 509 cube olds motor, but assuming you are talking about an olds engine you will need a rear drive transmission. olds motor mounts,etc...

 

[megaladon6]

i'm pretty sure that the only 500+ cube engine gm made is the caddy block. i would assume that it's a toronado with maybe a 409?

 

[bigdan]

toronado came with 455 in the good years

509 never even existed recheck that out
Dan

 

[sdj02]

Thanks for all of the info. What is the best way to determine what motor this is?

 

[GP403]

Thanks for all of the info. What is the best way to determine what motor this is?

If its an olds motor, it'll have the size stamped on the block, on the bottom/side up underneath the exhaust manifolds. I forget which side at the moment 😳 but it'll be there.

 

[KrisW]

If it's an olds or Cadillac (500 or 501 as they are listed sometimes) they will bolt to your transmission.

That is where everything stops.

The motor mounts are different. If you have an olds engine then you can use motor mounts from a 78-87 g car that had a 350/307 olds engine. Make sure you get the frame pieces too because your small pontiac uses chevy style motor mounts, upper and lower. You may also need the flat steel strap off of the 307 engine to properly locate your motor mounts on the block. The olds engines in front wheel drive toronados also use an oil filter adapter that puts the filter at an angle to the rear. It rubs the rear wheel drive transmission housing. You will need to use an oil filter adapter from a rear wheel drive olds V8, 65 and up.

Your small pontiac also uses the chevy style torque converter with bolts/nuts holding it to the flywheel, which has raised up spots on it where the torque converter holes are located. The olds engine uses a flat flywheel and the torque converter has threaded blocks welded on instead of the tabs like chevy/pontiac. The converter will bolt up but may not be exactly right.

If you have a caddy engine then you will need motor mounts from a 77-85 Cadillac that had a 425 or 368 (V8-6-4) engine and those lowers may not be a perfect fit. you may have to re-drill a few holes.

Good luck!

 

[kraven]

Sweet. Another Safari wagon owner.

Verify that motor. Anything GM will fit in that car. It's just a matter of getting the right components.

 

[KrisW]

Roger that.

That's why these cars are so great. They're not huge, but ANY powertrain combo will work. It is just a great platform.