V6 to SBO

[3XBrownCutty]

I know quite a few of you guys convert to chevy 350's from the v6 boat-anchor, but this write up is for the guys converting to a oldsmobile small block from the v6 8)

Basic Differences
-The oldsmobile starter is on the drivers side (Buick on passenger)
-Oldsmobile fuel pump is on the passenger's side (Buick on drivers)
I ran rubber line across temporarily, but it is best to bend up some hardline across the bay somehow, or just re-do the line from the tank.
-Battery is on drivers side for oldsmobile (Buick on passenger)
You can either run a long (+) cable over to the starter or you can just switch the battery to the drivers side. It's better to just switch it.
-Swap to V8 radiator and shroud & hoses (Have heard of the v6 rad. being used for a v8, but I'd rather be safe than sorry)

-Obviously you must change out the frame mounts for correct oldsmobile v8 pieces.
Incorrect These only line up with 1 frame hole, can be welded if needed.


Correct


-Buick transmission can be used if necessary. Or any BOP or dual bolt-pattern (Chevy & BOP) transmission can be used (if paired with the correct driveshaft and crossmember)
-Buick wiring harness can be used. The only wires to shorten are the starter wires (solder don't crimp) All the other sensor wiring I doubled back on itself a few times and stuffed it in the convulted tubing.
You can see how long the wires are in this pic

This is how I doubled them back, so to speak

 

[3XBrownCutty]

-I am unsure if buick pulleys will work or not (somebody correct me here)

-Depending on if you are running air conditioning or not, you need to get a correct set of brackets and pulleys from a donor SBO. Brackets and accessories from a 307 will work. Also note that the water pump differs in length from a/c to non-a/c.

-Ex. I am not running air, so I only needed a 2 groove pulley for the alt. and power steering. I pulled the setup from a small block 260 that was in a '77 oldsmobile at the junkyard. This included the passenger's side alternator mount.




-I bought a set of used dynomax headers for my engine, so I don't really know if this will work with other brands of headers or not. We were able to install the passenger side header through the bottom of the car with the oil filter assembley removed. On the drivers side I had to put the header and starter in at the same time . It was a tight fit.

-But later on when I realized my starter was bad, I was able to remove the old one and install the new one with the header in. We couldn't remove the oil dipstick to remove the header, so I had to find a way to move the header around squeeze the starter out/in.

-I am not running a computer on my engine, so I don't have the bundle of excess wires coming from around the a/c or heater assembley. I'm not running emissions either, so I have an EGR block off and a non-computer distributor and carb.
It depends on you state laws whether you have to run emissions and all that crap or not.

 

[3XBrownCutty]

You should start with something along these lines


And end up with something like this

 

[Oldsmoletick]

Good tips. On another note about the dipstick tube.......While you rocket is up on the stand, if you haven't removed that broken off, or rusty tube, drop the pan and do so now. New replacement tubes and sticks are available from your local GM dealer.
part # 419242 (stick 260-455) if you don't have the original, will have ugly yellow T handle.
part# 417090 (tube-small block)
part# 417091 (tube-big block)


Also, try to use matching pulleys, meaning if you start with 307 pulleys for a/c, stick with them, mix and match can get time consuming, and lead to improper pulley alignment (same goes for water pump). For the fan, if not using electric, use the one intended for an olds V8.

 

[3XBrownCutty]

Sticky just to keep this with the v6 to chevy swaps??

Any questions?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

A bit more information as well:

http://www.robertpowersmotorsports.com/G-bodyV6-V8.html