I have a 1983 Canadian built Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. This car had been great to me for a number of years. Tragedy struck when a cold snap hit and I killed the engine trying to start it up on a -30 degree day. I don't know exactly what happened but I heard a loud bang and all the oil drained from the engine. Prior to the engine dying, I had changed the water pump, replaced the hoses in the cooling system, changed out the ball joints, steering linkage, wheel bearings, shocks, and did some other work on the body. I put a lot of love into this car but my knowledge in mechanics stops at the engine. I have no idea how to do a proper swap and most of the language I see people use sounds like a foreign dialect. My question is where do I start if I want to have a successful engine swap? I have a neighbor with mechanical knowledge and I am a good learner, but I need as much help as I can get if I want to make this a reality.
From what I have read it sounds like the cheapest and easiest route would be to put in an SBC 350 as it would require little modification. I see some debate as to whether or not that is a good idea but it mostly seems like oldsmobile enthusiasts are the ones who don't like chevy engines in oldsmobile cars. I am not looking for a show car, I just want it to be reliable and run. I have even seen a thread where someone said an Olds will reject the chevy engine. This doesn't seem to be the case, as many people have youtube videos where they have put an sbc 350 into a g-body.
Judging on my research the 350 should go in with a BOP adapter for the transmission, a new radiator, clamshell engine mounts, and some other lines and hoses. Is it possible for me to get a new engine in my car for less than $1000? It would seem that way but I don't want to start this project only to run into problems that I didn't foresee. Please let me know what you think would be my best option. I love this car and I don't want to sell it.
From what I have read it sounds like the cheapest and easiest route would be to put in an SBC 350 as it would require little modification. I see some debate as to whether or not that is a good idea but it mostly seems like oldsmobile enthusiasts are the ones who don't like chevy engines in oldsmobile cars. I am not looking for a show car, I just want it to be reliable and run. I have even seen a thread where someone said an Olds will reject the chevy engine. This doesn't seem to be the case, as many people have youtube videos where they have put an sbc 350 into a g-body.
Judging on my research the 350 should go in with a BOP adapter for the transmission, a new radiator, clamshell engine mounts, and some other lines and hoses. Is it possible for me to get a new engine in my car for less than $1000? It would seem that way but I don't want to start this project only to run into problems that I didn't foresee. Please let me know what you think would be my best option. I love this car and I don't want to sell it.
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