So I have been in the process of this engine swap for a couple months. I will share any technical information that I learn along the way for anybody that may attempt this in the future. Vehicle: 1964 Buick Lesabre 2dr hardtop Current engine: 1964 Sbb 300 ci Current Transmission: 1964 ST300 2 speed Engine swapping into Lesabre: 1972 Skylark 350 Tranny swapping into Lesabre: 1972 Skylark TH350 The first thing you will need to do is locate a 1964 Lesabre 300 ci oil pan and motor mounts if you dont have them. You could use the 350 motor mounts, but you would have to use a bunch of washers or something to fill the open space (the 1964 frame pads are not as wide). Next you will have to test fit the oil pan onto the block. You may have to slightly bend the oil pickup screen like I had too, for clearance. After you test bolt the oil pan down, you will need to turn the crankshaft bolt and listen for any grinding in the oil pan. This happened to me after I put a gasket on and painted the motor. I had to take the pan back off, buy a new gasket, bang the pan out a little for clearance then repaint. Shes fine now. Pics to follow...
Here you can see where the oil pickup screen will get in the way of the sump. Some minor bending required. Use a bending tool to prevent any kinks.
Another issue I ran into was the new oil pickup that I purchased from autozone had a tube with a thicker diameter. The 350 block had a smaller suction hole. I opted to just clean my old one real good and reuse, because evrything for Buicks is special order and was losing patience.
Now for the 1964 Motor Mounts. I had shipped these to the East Coast to get redone, only to have them shipped back because they did not have the mould for them. I found another place, but was going to run $300-$400 dollars. I decided to remedy myself, like I have done in the past. I went to the hardware store and bought (2) 3/8" x 2" carriage bolts with lock washers and nuts. I used the hole that is already in the motor mounts for my guide. Drilled through them on the vice, and inserted the bolts. You must insert bolts in the direction that I used. Trim the remaining thread off with a gringer. Flip motor mount over and gring a little off the top of carriage bolt, not too much.
Now you must bang the center of frame pad to put small indentation. This will allow the top of the carriage bolt to sink in a little, and mounting holes to line up.
BADABING! The motor and tranny length fit nice. Now there are a few other issues that have arised and I could use some help. The ST300 and TH350 mounts are different. The ST300s is big and mount differently. Anybody have any suggestions? Also the kickdown cable and throttle linkage is different. Any advise? Thank s for looking, and your help would be greatly appreciated!
You must use a 1964 altenator so you dont have to mess with wiring. You must use 1964 Lesabre radiator hoses. You must use a 1964 Lesabre tempature switch so you dont have to mess with wiring.
Do you have your ride on the road yet? I'm still very interested in any details about this swap as I am planning on doing the exact same thing to my 64. Keep me posted!
Why can't you use the later Delcotron? Was Buick still using a DC generator in 1964? I was not aware of any difference that would affect installation between 1964 and 1972. My '70 Olds had a remotely-mounted voltage regulator. I need to be enlightened. :grin:
Still very interested to see if anyone has had success making this swap. Also, does anybody know if SBB 350 headers would fit on a 1964 Le Sabre (1970 Buick 350 engine). It's been a while but finally have the funds to move forward. I am right at the stage that Phillip (thread creator) left off at. Any input would be great. I want this summer to be THE summer.
I’d like to see if there was any progress from anyone who has done this. I really want to know why the 64 300 oil pan and why the stock 350 pan cannot be used. I do see that the 64 300 pan is a 215 piece and know the X frame cars generally use a center sump pan with a Big Block and nailhead Buick. I was thinking it may be a clearance for the steering thing, but realized the impala would be similar and the SBC in a 64 impala uses a rear sump oil pan. So back to my original question, why use the 64 300 pan? Clearance? If so.... what are you clearance going?
