I have a Special with a 300 v8 with a 3 spd. Have the opportunity to get a fresh 350 Buick and t350. What am I looking at for the swap? Things like motor mounts, tranny mounts, crossmember, motor accesory brackets and anything else. Also, I will probably need an intake for it. Who makes aftermarket and any carb suggestions?
I'm not sure, but I thought the 300 and 350 used the same motor mounts. Edelbrock makes intakes for the 350, I had one, with Edelbrock carb, loved 'em.
I'm not sure, but I thought the 300 and 350 used the same motor mounts. Edelbrock makes intakes for the 350, I had one, with Edelbrock carb, loved 'em.
66 swap bryan : my 65 special was originally a v-6 and three-on-the-tree car . in it now resides a '69 gs 350 , used the v-6 frame mounts and '65 small (300) v8 motor mounts , seems to lay in there pretty good , all bolt holes lined up . you said you had a 3-speed which i guess means you have a standard trans ???? otherwise it means you've got a 2-speed automatic . those were the only choices i think . if i remember correctly the standard trans and the th350 may use same crossmember ( same length trans ) , and you may even be able to use the stock driveshaft . that is not gospel , check further before you get going . i don't think edelbrock makes a buick 350 intake , ta performance and poston do . i purchased a ta off v8buick.com , looks fine and got good marks on the "board". will accept either q-jet or holley . 650 cfm-750 cfm with vac secondaries will be ball park for a holley "style" on mild motor . q-jet with quality rebuild should work fine also . carb caution : a swap meet carb that needs $150 worth of work and needs tinkering is a lot more expensive than a new moderate carb . carb-cam-ignition-important . i'm sure someone else here can give you more specific info with some additional vehicle info and your future plans for car . oh-yeah and budget also , can't forget that !! have fun !! Del
Don't go smaller than 750 on the carb. Otherwise you're choking the engine of air. TA Performance carries all the goodies you'll need to beef up your 350 including the intake. While you're at it, drop a little cam in. www.taperformance.com :TU:
Thanks for the advice guys. A friends Dad has the motor/trans. It was going in a 34 Ford pickup he is building but is now using a different 350 that is built up a little more. It has been totally rebuilt and detailed nicely. But I think he wants to keep the intake and carb. So far, it sound like an easy swap. How about a steering column for the auto? I am told a Chevy van unit will work. I don`t need the ignition as it is on the dash. Really don`t even need tilt but need auto shifter and gear indicator.
I don't know that I'd want the headache of getting the Chevvy van column into the car. My recommendation would be to install an aftermarket auto floor shift and then hunt around for the bucket seats to go with it...
I was told the van or truck column would bolt in. Or possibly even an early 60`s Caddy column. Now, is it the same one as any other a bodied GM car? I don`t want bucket seats and the only floor shifter I like is either Lokar or Gennie but they are $200. And an Ididit column is about $500! There must be an alternative.
swap John is correct , the van / caddy steering column idea sounds fishy . may be better off checking mid 60's chevelle/lemans/gutless(sorry-could not resist) -er-cutless steering columns for tilt (those are the "a" bodies) , there are other floor shifters for $90-$150 but the ones you prefer are pretty big bucks so budget dictates that move i guess . cam and rear end gear selection are gonna' be big factors in carb size . Del
1. I believe you were misinformed, certainly about the Caddy 2. No, the Buick and Olds columns are very similar, but the Chevvie and Poncho columns are different because they have the sift indicator on the column near the steering wheel. 3. I don't want to sound like an elitist, but $200 in the realm of an engine/trans swap isn't a whole bunch of money, especially when you factor in having to live with a half assed solution otherwise.... JMC
Okay, I find it a little hard to believe about the Caddy deal also. But, the guy from Steering Columns.com told me about the van or truck swap. Explain to me why I would not want a Chevy column again. Shouldn`t the shifter be up by the steering wheel? The main reason I want to swap columns is I don`t want a floor shift. I really want to keep it on the column. And I figure if I spend $200 on a shifter, why not spend it on a column swap? There must be an easy way!
Oops, I just reread your post. So, the shift indicator is on the column not the dash? That is fine as The spot for the indicator on my car is filled with black anyway. I think it would be even more difficult to cut it out for a n original style one anyway.
Well, the out and out easisest is to find a auto column shift from a Special/Skylark. The indicator pointer comes on the column, and your dash should have a removeable blanker plate covering the shift indicator window. PRNDL is silkscreened on the instrument panel face already.
Yeah, that would great! So, if I were to remove the blank off plate the indicator letters are under there? How does it come off? Do you know what years of Buick or any others will fit like this? And of course, Does anyone have one? By the way, thanks for all the help. I am glad I found this board.
Just looked at my replies here. Duh, what was I drinking that night? Of course, myedelbrock intake was on a chevy, they don't make one for the 350 buick. As to steering columns, I don't know if mine was the best choice, but I used a '77 LeMans tilt column. Hey, it works. And I don't miss the five-plus foot chest piercing factory steering shaft. I'm now in the process of trying to fit '87 b-body power bench seats in, and maybe floor metal. Got some measuring to do.
