Need SBC installation tips please...

[LOADED79']

Hey guys, I'm wanting to install my 350-700r4 combo in my 83 cutlass. I've been told that the 700r4 won't fit in a G body period. now I don't want to install this engine and transmission if I have to cut and weld a bunch of stuff due to its a nice car, and I still want to be able to make it stock later if need be. So I need some input from the SBC swappers! I do believe that I'll have to shorten the drive shaft but thats fine I have and extra.

 

[crucial118]

They sell 700r4 crossmembers for g-bodys at Summit Racing, Jegs, Ebay, etc. No cutting necessary, other than the driveshaft.

 

[LOADED79']

Sweet, I can do that! now how bout the engine the cutlass is a factory 307 olds eng. I have a pair of headman G-body headers but what about the engine mounting? do I have to have certain motor mounts or fan shroud?

 

[gk666]

the mounting bolts should still be the two front facing bolts as on most sbcs and the fan shroud will be the same if your using the same radiator

 

[84cutspreme]

you need sbc chassis and engine mounts for engine. 307 fan shroud should work, 231 v6 shroud will not. for 700r4, you need to shorten driveshaft, replace crossmember. Also depending on your setup column or floor shift, you can either alter shift linkage to fit; for floor shift you will need the trans pan shifter cable bracket and shifter cable. (I got all my 700r4 extras from 84 camaro for my floor shifter setup) Also is your existing trans 3spd 200c or 4 spd 200-4r? I ask because depending you will also need to alter shifter detent bracket or get overdrive one. Good luck and feel free to ask questions

 

[LOADED79']

Alright, I have a Monte Carlo SS complete frame can I use the SBC mounts off it for the cutlass it should be the same chassis right?

 

[LOADED79']

Talk about contradicting your self, I found a cross-member from Jegs and it says in the info sec. that it fits Cutlass's but under that it says in big black letters doesn't fit Cutlass Supreme? WTF?.... I thought if it was a G-body cutlass, it didn't matter whether it was a supreme, calais, salon, 442, hurst, etc... it was the same chassis?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jegster- ... leQ5fParts

 

[LOADED79']

Also I found these pics on google and I think I'm on the right track with the engine swap. That is if I have this many mounting options.

 

[Dragonist]

ahhh the blasphemy of the sbc in the olds.....shrikes and cries in tears

did your car come with a 260 or 307? Reason I ask is due to the sbo 350 bolts right into our car and all the accessories swap over...
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best of luck with your conversion

 

[LOADED79']

Yes it is a factory 307 but the engine croaked, on the same note I found "good" 307 installed in the cutlass and got about half an hour of playtime and now it won't even turn over. I've about had it with the good 307, 350, 403 running gear hunt for a bit. I have a sweet low mile 350 700r4 combo in storage plus it will give me a chance to install my Lightning rods... Thats why I was making sure the cutlass wouldn't be harmed in the making of a tire frying road rocket, that way in years to come when the few G-bodies that haven't been donked or turned into race cars are worth good bread I can replace the running gear back to the original 307 she was ordered with. I've saved all the unused goodies like smog pump and about 6 miles of vacuum lines and sensors. I'm usually all about originality, I have a 66 Skylark with 38,000 original miles down to the original paint. but at this point I can't see the reason for spending around 1500 to 2000 when around six hundred she'll see the road again and the car be uncut aside from a donor drive shaft.