please advise if a 1965 401 engine with transmission would be a good candidate for an engine swap into a 66 Skylark. I'm concerned about any thing other than items like oil pan and exhaust manifolds that would make it hard to swap this engine. 66 currently has a stock 300 cu in engine with 2 speed. Looking to have a more powerful cruiser, not a track burner. Again thanks in advance for your input.
that is in my 66 skylark. i am no mechanic but i am sure the people here will tell you what all you need. the only hard part i would think is if you change the transmission. is the transmission a sp or st400 or 300. if it is a 300 then the drive shaft will not need to be shorten. if you have ac now and the new engine does not have a bracket, you will need a new bracket.
Engine has a/c bracket and owner says it has a 400 transmission. Everything is stock at present so would this be a s/p 400?
There was a thread about this recently but I cannot find it.I think if the donor 401 engine came from a big car such as a wildcat or something the oil pan will have to be changed and then you will have to use different motor mount pads. I believe you can get the neccesary aftermarket parts to do the engine mount swaps.I understand the oil pans are quite hard to find as it has to be specifically from a GS car..........Could be wrong though and I am sure someone will correct me if I am.........
Yes, I can confirm that the oil pan will have to be changed, I think the big cars are front sump and the small cars are rear sump. But, I don't think I'll be pulling the 300 out soon, so I'll probably keep my eyes open for the correct pan, or have my machine shop fab one for me. Something screwy about either the motor mounts or exhaust manifolds too.
In the middle of the same transfer right now, I ended up with an extra rear sump oil pan (Which is what you will need) I would be willing to sell to you for $50.00 shipped. The other tough part is the motor mounts, I was lucky on this as I had a set but I know I have seen links on this website about people making them and possibly reproducing them? I for sure know I seen a print on how they needed to look from somewhere on this site. Best of luck and let me know if you would like the pan.:TU: Tom
Cheryl, Yes, its a GS pan (& I know they are hard to come by) was just trying to help him out with that swap if he went in that direction. If he passes its yours as long as you send pictures of the finished project! :TU: You'll also need the rear sump pickup for that pan and I have that as well now that I think of it. ou: Both shipped to your door or the other guys door if he responds back within a day or two for $75.00 Tom
basicly what you are doing is building a 65-66 Gs clone. You will need; 4 core rad. fan shroud.-1966 GS air cleaner assembly from a GS or equiv. motor mount plates for engine. -1966 GS motor mounts.-1966 GS frame mount pads.-1966 GS Rear trans cross member 1966 GS rear trans mount 1966 turbo. EXhaust manifolds from 1965-1966 GS. complete exhaust system. Drive shaft- either modify the one you have or build one. depending on the trans whether long tail shaft or short tail shaft. heavy duty shocks all the way around. air lift air bags inside the rear springs to handel the increased torque. Otherwise you will have extreme wheel hop. The rear cross member will have to come back about 6 in. to accomodate the turbo. You must have a 12 bolt posi. other wise the rt rear tire will just go up in smoke. maby this info will help.
Nicely done Doc. I will save this for myself- I have a line on a 66 w/ a 300 too. Just need to bring the owner back to earth on his initial offer. Once he figures out that as it rusts in his yard it is worth less, and a bird (or my 6 Benjamins)in his hand is worth more than 2 in the bush (or the 10 no one is paying. :laugh: )
Yup, Yaccy , that post was based on hard experience. he he I have had 2 car/engine combos that were really good. 64 lark with the 300 ''optional'' engine and 65 lark401 GS.
Gary, Met & talked to you at JR's in Dickinson a while back. I'm in the process of transplanting the same year 401 & ST400 in my '66 Special. A couple of items to add to Doc's list: - battery tray moved to drivers side, along with new battery cables. GS's had a battery cable / horn relay junction block; not sure if you HAVE to have one but I found one for mine; - engine compartment wiring must be modified as 300 & 401 wiring is different (you can't just buy a GS engine harness & plug it in); get you a chassis service manual if you don't have one, it has the wiring diagrams. - the radiator must be specific to the 65 - 66 GS; OPG offers an original style one but I haven't talked to them yet. Some aluminum ones should work. There's some radiator hose #'s we can supply if you proceed. Also will need a different fan. - Not real sure if the existing 401 alternator bracket will work or not; the GS's had a lower aluminum mount. Do some measuring.... If you're not going to be doing a lot of drag racing, a 10 bolt posi will be fine; also don't see a need for air bags. Have raced my '66 GS plenty of times (with & without a posi). Haven't experienced any wheel hop problems yet. The GS does have slighter bigger axles, a boxed frame. You might want to consider boxing the rear control arms, depending on your intended use of the car. Good luck if you proceed with the plans. Hope this helps some. I'm sure others on here will pop up with some additional info. BTW, that's one super deal on the oil pan & pickup tube from Tom...... Steve Steve
Gary, Give us an update on your project..... I should have the 401 / ST400 in my 66 Special within 4 - 6 weeks. Right now, I'm replacing springs, bushings, etc. and cleaning painting the front end stuff as I go..... If you need any 300 engine 'stuff' or a complete running 300, let me know! Steve
