69 Cutlass motor swap
 

I know it's pretty straight forward, but are there any issues that I should be looking for when swapping a 70 454 into a 69 Cutlass? I'm about to pull a NOM 350 Olds out of a friends 69 and put in a 454.
I'm planning on finding something with an overdrive to replace the TH350 that I'm assuming is in it. Any flavor better than the next for that? 4L60? I'd like something with the most straight forward, non-invasive install. The body is nice. He's a car enthusiast, but knows nothing about mechanics so I want to keep it turn key for him after I'm done. He wants a nice reliable cruiser with plenty of power, but no more than a stockish 454.

LMK what leftovers come out of this dishonorable multi-brand swap:-)

Fan shroud.... accessories..... etc, etc.

Ryan

Oh boy, had to be one lol...

I have seen lots of people use A-Body frames as they interchange so mounts should work on the frame.

Ryan

PS: You may get a rash installing a Chevy in an Olds. :-)

I've seen plenty on the Olds sites. They remind me of the Mopar guys lol. Very territorial... I'm thinking a 700R4 and the 454 should pretty much slide in. Maybe extend a couple wires for alt. that's on a different side possibly. Driveshaft might be an issue too.

I agree.

I was all Chevy till Dr Olds arrived:-)

Ryan

Dave -- been there ... done that. You'll need to move the trans crossmember back as the 700's mount is further to the rear. The driveshaft will need to be shortened. Use same year Chevelle frame adapters for the motor mounts. TAZ

You'll have the fastest '69 Cutlass in town :D

Dan

The driveshaft will end up being a pain I think. I haven't got the foggiest idea where to have that done around here. I'm not too far from Detroit and Toledo though, so I'm sure there is something out one of those ways. I'll have to take some measurements once I get everything bolted in. When you moved the trans mount, was it a simple, "drill four new holes" or was it more involved than that? Modify the crossmember?

Now you wouldn't be saying the Olds motor isn't up to snuff against a BBC now would you? :eek: Here come the Olds die hards with their pitchforks!
I probably would have just rebuilt the 350 Olds he has, it's plenty for his needs, but it's like 2-3 times the cost of a Chevy. Not worth it in my book.

driveshaft- these guys do good work.
http://www.dynotecheng.com/

Nice. Thanks!

The 350 Olds engine rebuild is significantly more than a Chevy, all the Gold paint :-)

Ryan

AHHHH! That's what it is. The gold paint. I've been trying to figure out the difference. :haha:

[QUOTE=HawkX66;1349946]The driveshaft will end up being a pain I think. I haven't got the foggiest idea where to have that done around here. I'm not too far from Detroit and Toledo though, so I'm sure there is something out one of those ways. I'll have to take some measurements once I get everything bolted in. When you moved the trans mount, was it a simple, "drill four new holes" or was it more involved than that? Modify the crossmember?

You'll have to look at the frame -- some will let you slide the crossmember back and drill new holes ... others you will need to mod the crossmember itself. I'm sure if you go to the Chevelle site those troops will chime in. TAZ

[QUOTE=earntaz;1349991]Sounds good. Thanks.

Everything from a Chevelle fits including headers.I put a 502 crate motor in my 442.As a side note.I don't open my hood at the cruises anymore.I'm tired of arguing with Olds diehards.

Perfect. I'll order up the Chevelle mounts and pick up a set of headers. Thanks.
I'd keep your hood open just to piss them off if they're ignorant enough to give you a lot of crap about it... Buddies ribbing is all good. Others... gets old.

Bring it down to Baltimore and find out. No real challenge, but I'll take a spin........

I have no idea what their have'in a cow about -- GM put Chevy engines in em' back in the day ... besides ... do they understand the difference between parts availablity/cost for Chevy motors compared to Dr. Olds and his stuff? TAZ

Right.I have had 3 W30s and 2 W31s.They were all stock with Oldsmobile parts.The car I have now has a matching numbers drivetrain.I decided I wanted to go fast again and started planning a 455 build.I thought why take a chance on blowing the original motor.So while planning another 455 motor to make the power and live, I realized it was going to be real expensive.A crate 502 came up for sale in my area.$3000 carb to pan running.All forged internals with aluminum heads.Another $2000 for a roller cam and rockers.When I get tired of racing, the 455 with nice paint goes back in and I still have a motor on the stand which will probably get me $6 to 8K.

If I put all the money in the Olds stuff the car is worth less then stock no matter how fast it is.On top of all this I wanted my favorite body with my favorite motor.Done.

OK.I feel better now that I got all that out.I hope I won't be banned from this list and you guys still like me ;)

Your logic is sound:-)

Everybody has their preference, your car, your money, your choice!!

Ryan

Any pictures or details of the W31's?

Amen

It was a 70 auto,P/B,P/S.Orange with white guts and white stripes.I think in its past someone had blown the original motor and just replaced it with a 350 Olds with a small cam.Not as quick as it should have been and it did not have the big balancer.I actually had a guy who called me and he had the original block from the car.I think he wanted $3000 for it and I passed.I knew I was going to sell it and I didn't want to get any deeper into the car.

The body was very straight and underneath it was amazing.It came from BC where the winters aren't as bad as here in Ontario.Funny.Other then the wrong motor it was a real nice car.I had trouble selling it.It had all the paperwork too.After Ebay fees and some small stuff I replaced I barely made a $1000.

Wow, pretty car!!!

Ryan

Thanks.That's another one I should have kept.

Sorry to pick at old wounds:-(

Ryan