Just need a couple of answers, dropping a Buick 350 in place of the 231. 1) Does the half of the motor mount on the frame need to be moved to mount the 350? 2) Can I use the 231 mount half from the block on the 350 or do I have to have this piece from a 350? 3) What would be a good cam, the car is completely stock right down to the 2.4x gears in the rear. I just got the old motor out waiting on a few parts before dropping the new motor in.
can't answer the cam question but on the first 2 the frame pads stay put and you can use the V6 mounts on the 350:TU: if you have a/c you made need to work on the passenger side valve cover to clear the a/c box so beware when installing the engine, dont want to smash the hell out of it...like me
Don't have to worry about breaking the box, it already has a decent sized hole in it. I'm going to make an aluminum shield to cover the hole.
Score yourself a ring and pinion(gears) and a posi from a later model F-body(camaro/firebird) and some good axles(aftermarket, for say a Gran National) it will stand the test of time, well, until you add slicks and pepper spray. Another route is to use ring/pinion/carrier out of an S-series truck most of them are 3.42, 3.73, and some are 4.10. Make sure you snag bearings, races and spacers, even the races that the pinion rides on. Spring for a new radiator, its safer for your motor, and doesn't cost much more than a used one from a salvage.
I put 350 mounts on the engine and the frame, had to drill a couple new holes to do it. You could use the V6 mounts as is, I didn't think they were up to torque of a V8, beside that is what I had on the engine. I think I used a Olds or Pont fan shroud, centers on the fan. I used a 90+ S10 28 spline center section and GN axles. You could use a posi and Moser axles for better results. Diver
