Dutch

Are the parts (mounts primarily, I guess) easily sourced to install a chevy 350/ t-350 in a 78 Delta? I am looking at a 778 2 door that has a blown 260 in it now. I have a nice four bolt chevy that would be inexpensive for me to install.



This 1978 88 two door has a solid body with an interior that won't cost a ton to clean up but mechanically it's pretty much junk. I built a 78 4 door for my son and when I saw this two door resting behind an auto repair shop the wheels started to turn in my head...



I know GM put chebbies in these cars when they were new (I grew up near Lansing, MI... Oldsmobile town supreme in the 70's!) and I remember the stink about it then. Still seems like it oughta be a bolt in deal if the mounts weren't some odd ball thing...




Thanks!

Redog

Well for a guy that lived in Lansing in the 70's I find this a bit hard to believe, putting a Chevy in an Olds? Been to Lansing for Homecomming every year since 2003, and help put on the Alero show the Friday before the show.

Anyway, a SBC in an Olds can be done, but it's a lot easier if the car already has a SBC in it. The starter on the other side, motor mounts are different, Tranny bolt patterns are different. BOP motors are 4 bolts, Chevys are 5.

Nothing from an Olds motor will work on a Chevy, except for the Carb and the disturbor cap and maybe a few other small things

J-(Chicago)

You'll have to go to the junkyard and get the frame pads from a 77-90 caprice or Impala. I have a running olds 307 if you want it, but I'm Just outside of Chicago.

Olds64

Oh man! I wouldn't use that Chevy motor if I were you. Since it is only a 4 bolt main it will probably tank the first time you rev it higher than 1500 rpm. That is why Chevy had to use the 8 bolt main. The metal they used in their engines was CHEAP!

joe_padavano

While the parts are available (since Olds installed Chevy motors in these cars from the factory) keep in mind that EVERYTHING under the hood is different - motor mounts, frame mounts, accessory brackets, exhaust manifolds, pipes, trans bellhousing, etc. A much easier path would be to just get a 350 Olds, which is a bolt-in. You'll also get less ridicule from this forum.

J-(Chicago)

Although I don't want to see a chevy in it.....

I want it saved. Get some kind of motor in it.

Dutch

I thought that question might get a rise here..

I guess I never researched things enough to realize all of the differences. I knew the bell housing pattern and mounts would be an issue but I didn't realize all of the other differences.

I think I may have found a deal on a 77 olds 350 on C/L. That would certainly be easier...

My son and I get a kick out of RWD 88's. Here's a picture of his '78 and the next project for us, a 50 Buick.

Getting his 88 back on the road has started to give me the bug to do another...

Thanks!

Oldsguy

That Buick is really cool! One of if not THE best Olds we ever owned was a '78 Delta 88. My wife loved it.

Firebird61

The 350 engines with a 4 barrel were Oldsmobile engines and the 2 barrels were Chevrolet engines. Look for an R in the VIN. That's the Olds engine.