Engine Swap

[WyoKid]

im going to swap my engine so i can simply get my car back on the road. Will a gm 350 v8 bolt up to trans? i assume the car has a 200-R4.

i am building up the original 307 to the specs High Roller suggested, only thing is that is going to take me awhile and money .... engine swap faster and cheaper for now

 

[307 Regal]

Should work. IIRC, most all 200-4Rs have a dual-pattern bellhousing.

 

[hurst1979olds]

Motor mounts, and exhaust manifolds are different.

 

[1evilregal]

Motor mounts, and exhaust manifolds are different.

it's all the little stuff that adds up to cost more than rebuilding in the first place... mounts, IIRC dual bolt pattern 200r4's are 86 and newer( if yours is older and you're going sbc, you may be out of luck), like 307 said- manifolds and mounts are different which means cat conv and back may be slightly different... then you have to look at the battery/alt/starter being on the other side(longer cables or a relocation), etc,etc...,

take in all aspects of this swap. this is why I'm doing a refresh on my 307, instead of getting a low mileage sbc for a great price from a friend. I'm not trying to be one of these "sbc's shouldn't be in an olds" guys, I'm just trying to shed a little light on what could get costly and drawn out.


Darin

 

[DoubleV]

WyoKid, I don't think your current plan is very wise. Your creating more work for yourself and will end up costing you more converting over to a Chevy engine just to turn around and switch back to an Olds. Also, building up your 307 is simply a waste of money. You're going to regret it after spending a ton of cash and not getting much thrill from it and if it's not fun to drive then what's the point? After a mom in her minivan full of kids blows your doors off, you'll really be kicking yourself for building a 307.

 

[GT_80]

WyoKid, I don't think your current plan is very wise. Your creating more work for yourself and will end up costing you more converting over to a Chevy engine just to turn around and switch back to an Olds. Also, building up your 307 is simply a waste of money. You're going to regret it after spending a ton of cash and not getting much thrill from it and if it's not fun to drive then what's the point? After a mom in her minivan full of kids blows your doors off, you'll really be kicking yourself for building a 307.

I agree- if you swap it to a chevy and stick a 305 in it for now, then swap to a 350 or 383 later, it's a better plan- that way you can iron out the little bumps with mechanical stuff, mounts, etc now, and worry about building a nice motor later and you will not have all the minor things to swap later. My car came with a SBC 350 in it that was done 1/2 right, and I would have put one in anyway, specially since my car originally was a v6 and I know SBC's well. I am rebuilding a nice modest 350 so it is no extra work for me now

 

[307 Regal]

WyoKid, I don't think your current plan is very wise. Your creating more work for yourself and will end up costing you more converting over to a Chevy engine just to turn around and switch back to an Olds. Also, building up your 307 is simply a waste of money. You're going to regret it after spending a ton of cash and not getting much thrill from it and if it's not fun to drive then what's the point? After a mom in her minivan full of kids blows your doors off, you'll really be kicking yourself for building a 307.

x2

The HO 307 may have more balls than mine, but if you put a GM 350 in there (which I'm assuming you mean a "new" crate engine which has balls) and then switch back to a 307 (rebuilt or not), you might wonder why you did it. If you're dead set on using the original engine then it makes sense, but once you get that 350 in you'll be really tempted to keep it there.
I'm not saying a High Output 307 is terrible (at all), but I am saying that a GM 350 is a whole new level.
But in case you're talking about a used late-'80s/'90s SBC which could be found cheap, why not another cheap 307 for a place holder? Or maybe even an Olds 350 or 403? I'm sure you know about those swaps. Is there a reason you decided against them?
Also, I agree with brand swap costs. Frame pads, engine mounts, wiring and hoses, accessories and brackets; it's all something to consider for your budget.

 

[WyoKid]

This is the reason i asked everyone on this site, i haven made any final decision even though by my poor word choice it sounds like i want a chevy 350 in my car .... I Realy want the 350 olds or hell the 350 Rocket(who doesnt) i just can find one that i can afford. Im not going for a outrages amount of power i just want a classic cruiser car of my dreams, I got to find the right Regal for that, Protouring Car. I understand everyone's point.... just want good advise because everytime i listen to my dad my car gets all messed up.


So what is the Wises desision?

Fix my original 307.
Hop the 307 up just for the hell of it
or drop a 350 Olds(if i can find one)----im cursed for some reason, cant find that motor or buy a buick regal :?

also i can post the specs of the motor, HIgh Roller suggested i build if you all want

 

[67rstbkt]

This is the reason i asked everyone on this site, i haven made any final decision even though by my poor word choice it sounds like i want a chevy 350 in my car .... I Realy want the 350 olds or hell the 350 Rocket(who doesnt) i just can find one that i can afford. Im not going for a outrages amount of power i just want a classic cruiser car of my dreams, I got to find the right Regal for that, Protouring Car. I understand everyone's point.... just want good advise because everytime i listen to my dad my car gets all messed up.


So what is the Wises desision?

Fix my original 307.
Hop the 307 up just for the hell of it
or drop a 350 Olds(if i can find one)----im cursed for some reason, cant find that motor or buy a buick regal :?

also i can post the specs of the motor, HIgh Roller suggested i build if you all want

I would try and find a 350 Olds motor; btw "Rocket" is a marketing term, and Olds 350 is pretty much......and Olds 350
Or just put in whatever you can afford, it's your car, who cares what other people think. My first "hot rod" was an 87 Cutlass. I was about 18 then and on a serious budget. Guess what I put into it? Chevy 350 The Horror!

 

[DoubleV]

What's wrong with your current 307 right now? If it just needs a simple repair or two, do that. Meanwhile find an Olds 350 or 403 to either build or to drop in as is. You can't expect for one to find you though. You need to actively go out and find it. Search around. Put up an add. We don't even know your location. Someone on these very forums might have an engine for you right now. Example of actively seeking out an engine; a 30 second search on Craigslist in my area revealed this; http://cleveland.craigslist.org/pts/3837282921.html

Quick search on Oldspower reveals a perfect temporary replacement engine should you need to go that route; http://www.oldspower.com/vb/archive/ind ... 61121.html

My point? They're out there. You just need to look.