Just thought I'd throw this out there since I've done it before. Buick 350 into 84 T/A and olds 350 into 90 v-6 car. The 84 I used a 700r4 with adapter and motor mount/ frame brackets from 82 v-6 regal. I set the combo in the car, bolted the trans to the crossmember in the back, set the motor down on the crossmember and marked the holes for the brackets. Pulled out engine, drilled holes (slotted two) and re-installed. A slight re-wire and it was done. Lots of fun and still different. the 90 I pulled the 6 and the trans and used a 350 olds/2004r. I used 77 trans am 403 motor mount setup upper brackets and stock v-8 lower mounts. The olds has a flat strap across the motor mount holes on some engines that is re-drilled to allow you a 3rd mounting point of the engine mounts for some cars. If you don't have this just make it out of flat bar and drill the holes. I had to re-drill mine anyway to fit the shell on top of the chevy lowers. I put the 2004r in the same place as the metric 700r4, but with no torque arm mount, I fabbed a piece to go straight to the crossmember. Worked great! This was all in my pre-internet days. I can't believe all the great links on this site! I would much rather have bought a SPOHN type crossmember than making my own.
Oh well!
At least I can tap you guys for knowledge without having to do everything the hard way. Thanks for keepin' this place alive.

 

Okay, I got a v6 car off of ebay for 800 bucks a little while ago. Its got the formula hood and wheels and its a 5 speed.
I'm working a deal with TKO performance for a new tranny and doing the rear end next. The engine is going Buick for sure, probably 3.8 but you can never tell where these things are going. I've got a serious v8 bug........
Anyway, I thought I'd let some of you budget guys know that this is happening. There will be lots of photos but I have to have a friend do them from Indiana because I'm overseas making a little car money for the project. As stuff happens, I'll put up some pics. Just out of curiosity, anyone got any swap parts they'd like to sell? I figure I'd rather get 'em from you than fab everything. I will if I have to, I'm dedicated.

 

Update:

There are now two Olds 350s, one Buick 350, one Pontiac 350, one Buick 455, and a few different V6 engines in my sister's barn waiting for me to pick one up. I've got my bulletproof tranny and a spare V8 T5 ready. I've got one 8.5 GM rear that may be modded to go in, I just have to see...

I'm in FLA now, so I am scouting a place to live where I can put my firebird together. I had to move fast to start a new job and got stuck in an apartment! Yuck!!

I'll start a new thread when the car is here. There will be a complete parts list with prices so that you budget guys can have a little hope. If you are willing to take a little more time searching you can save a lot of money.

See ya soon!

 

Wow, this thread's back from the dead!

 

Yeah, and so is the car!!!

 

hey I'm doing a 307 swap into an 85 ta with a 305 stock. I plan on using the tranny thats in there and just use the bell housing plate. for where I put the motor mounts did you use the stock location for the v6 or v8? if neither how far did you move them? I just need to know if I'm going to be drilling hles or not. thankyou

 

As I said above, I used 70's F-body motor mounts for the Olds V8 to do it. These mounts allow you to use the chevy lowers that you already have. It gives a shell type mount to bolt to the engine block. I put V8 motor mounts in the factory V8 position. Then I dropped my junk block with mocked up motor mount brackets down in the engine bay and lined up the mounts. I drilled holes in my strap to finish it up.

You will notice that on your olds motor there is a row of three bolt holes above the oil pan rail so that you can bolt on your stock motor mounts in the front or middle of the block. Oldsmobile put a flat steel strap accross all three holes on some cars and then drilled holes in the strap to put the motor mounts in other positions in some cars. By using a strap like this you can put your motor mounts anywhere you want. Just be careful that you don't put the driver's side mount too far back or you will get too close to the starter!

You can only find the mounts that I used in a firebird that either came factory with a 350 Olds or 403 olds. They are not that easy to come by anymore. You may have to use the Olds mounts that come from a different car. Then you do it "Buick style" like I did above. You bolt the mounts, lower the engine in, and mark holes to be drilled.

Good luck!

When you get your engine on the stand, you should at least re-gasket and seal the engine. If you are doing that then you should go ahead and go to the wrecking yard and get some better heads and intake. Let us know if you go that route.

Have fun!

 

Do you have any pics of where you put the "buick style" mounts? Did the holes line up at all compared to what was there already? I can't get my motor mounts to stay together while I drop the engine in and reposition it to the trans...

 

Sorry, pre-internet and pre-digital camera days as well.

What sort of trouble are you having with your motor mounts, maybe I can help?

If you have the exhaust removed (manifolds, too) it's easier. You've got the motor mounts bolted to the block, right? Then you bolt the lowers to the uppers, right? What sort of problems are you having? With the motor mounts hanging from the block you can tighten that long through bolt on each side that holds the lowers on to keep them from flopping around. You drop the engine/tranny combo in the car and then line up the tranny mount like factory in the rear first. At this point, the engine is still swinging in the air. Now slowly lower the engine down onto the front crossmember. You can use either a paint marker or spray paint. Mark the bolt holes of your lowers that are now sitting on the crossmember. Give yourself 15 or 20 minutes to let the paint dry (have a beer if you're old enough, you've earned it at this point) and then take the tranny mount loose and pull your combo back out.

Now look at your paint marks. Drill (or slot with a die grinder, where appropriate) your holes and now bolt your lowers down to your crossmember. This will be every bit as much a pain in the rear as changing mounts for any other 3rd gen. The thing is, you need to use grade 8 3/8" bolts and use RED loctite on the nuts! You don't ever need to remove these lowers for service. They don't break off or crack often, but if they do you can still get them with a little heat. I don't like to weld them on because if they do break you can't get them easily.

Any thing else, let me know!

 

I have the mounts that were on the 307 out of the cutlass I had given to me. I'm trying to set this motor by myself, which has been the problem... I can't get the motor set in the correct location while lowering it into the car. I might be able to get my brother to help me this weekend. I have the exhaust off, I'll take some pics and post them tonight if I get a chance to work on it.

 

Are you just having trouble putting the whole thing in by yourself or is there something in particular that is killing you? I did both of mine alone, that's why I am asking..

If you are using the Buick style mounts you can still do this easier. Did you notice the three mounting holes on your block above the oil pan where you can bolt your motor mounts at the front or the back? Do you have a strap accross these with holes drilled in it for the mounts or are your mounts bolted to the block?

I am advising you to use a piece of 3/8" plate and make a strap that goes accross all three holes on your block. Then bolt that strap to your engine. Next, put your engine in with the tranny mount hooked up for proper positioning. Keeping your engine in the air somewhat, you can now start to see where you want your mounts to be. The passenger side you should be able to put wherever you want but the driver's side you need to be as far forward as possible to avoid starter interference problems.

Having the straps on the block is a factory Oldsmobile technique from the late 70s through the 80s to allow them to "slide" the motor mounts forward and back to get the nearest GM holes in the frame. You can do it, too, but you may have to modify some holes still.

 

ttt....

I got a little interest in this thread so I am kicking it back up to the top!

Update: I now have a house in FLA but went back to afghanistan to pay it off!! So my 88 'bird has a garage, but I'm not there to abuse it!

I'll ping again when I am tearing it apart!

 

wow.. I just got a notification about a response to this. I ended up not putting the 307 in the car. My money went into other things at that time. I'll probably wait until I get the money to play around with a fuel injected small block and a turbo. I bought a turbo for one of my other cars, and am going to play around with that first.