im swaping my 260 again pretty crazy since its like the 2nd time this car has an engine swap I have a chevy 350 which is on my 65 c10 but since my truck is not gona be running soon so I want to install it in my cutlass so if theres anyone who could help me id really appreciate it
chevy 350 into 81 cutlass help
- Thread starter 81KiddCutty
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What help are you asking for? A pair of hands? Or how to do it? Or what parts will you need to find to make it work?
ssn696
ssn696
there are threads stickied at the top of this section detailing parts needed for such a swap. You're better reading those first before asking questions you can probably find the answer to in one of those threads. also use the search feature, this is the most common swap so there is plenty of information here you can find and use for your swap. If you need physical help, bribe some friends with a 12 pack or two. Beer is the social lubricant that helps such projects get done.
the engine is complete just need to drop her in but ive read id have to swap out the transmission for some reason its a th350 all I would need is a radiator, hooking everything up except engine mounts
81KiddCutty said:
Olds and Chevy engines have different bellhousing patterns. They don't interchange. You will either need an adapter from a place like Summit or Jegs, or a new trans. Unless you are lucky and have a universal bell 350. These have both chevrolet and BOP bellhousing patterns on them. Don't know how common those are though, I found one and snagged it.
You will also need different frame mounts for the engine.
I have used the trans adapters on mild small blocks and they work fine, I wouldn't use them on anything race oriented but most mild street set ups should be fine.
Wiring is gonna be fun. Olds and Pontiac have the battery and starter plus alternator wiring on the driver side and Chevy and Buick are on the passenger side. Easiest thing to do is find a Chevy or Buick V6 G body and take the front wiring for your set up (How good is your wire splicing?) then you can flip the batt and charcoal canister to the opposite sides. Then run the olds battery starter wire next to the oil pan to the battery. Not up and over like the olds had it. See...nothing but fun. 
I'd use an adapter for the bop trans to chevy engine before getting another transmission, the adapters work fine and cost less than another transmission.
Wiring is an issue but nothing horrible, just pay attention to what you're doing and label EVERY wire and take pictures as you go along so you don't get lost and confused and eventually frustrated and start beating the car with a hammer or throwing wrenches out into the middle of the street. Take your time and handle one wire at a time and always double and triple check before cutting ANYTHING. If splicing, use a soldering iron, do not just use butt connectors and crimp them, solder them too or you will be sorry. Do not just twist wires together and wrap it in electrical tape, you will be kicking your own *ss later for this cardinal sin of automotive electricity. Electricity is not a forgiving mistress and it doesn't pay to play fast and loose with wiring. There are a million ways to screw it up but very few ways to do it correctly, do it right the first time and you won't be doing it again and again later on.
Sorry to harp on this point but I've seen too many rats nests in engine compartments and i refuse to let it continue. It's one of the reasons why people give up on a car, they ruin the wiring and then sell their ****-ups to some unsuspecting buyer, another no-no in my book.
Wiring is an issue but nothing horrible, just pay attention to what you're doing and label EVERY wire and take pictures as you go along so you don't get lost and confused and eventually frustrated and start beating the car with a hammer or throwing wrenches out into the middle of the street. Take your time and handle one wire at a time and always double and triple check before cutting ANYTHING. If splicing, use a soldering iron, do not just use butt connectors and crimp them, solder them too or you will be sorry. Do not just twist wires together and wrap it in electrical tape, you will be kicking your own *ss later for this cardinal sin of automotive electricity. Electricity is not a forgiving mistress and it doesn't pay to play fast and loose with wiring. There are a million ways to screw it up but very few ways to do it correctly, do it right the first time and you won't be doing it again and again later on.
Sorry to harp on this point but I've seen too many rats nests in engine compartments and i refuse to let it continue. It's one of the reasons why people give up on a car, they ruin the wiring and then sell their ****-ups to some unsuspecting buyer, another no-no in my book.
olds307 and 403 said:
the 350 olds is in storage because its much more expensive to build up than a chevy and parts are easier to find, cheap
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