New owner of 1960 394

kmz68bird · June 12th, 2009, 11:00 PM

I recently purchased a 68 firebird without an engine and my dad suggested I pull his 394 out of his 1960 Super 88. I am wondering if anyone has heard of someone doing this conversion or are there things that will make it difficult?

I also salvaged the entire grille and olds emblems and some emblems that go on the front of the hood and front edges of the front fender. If someone would need them please let me know and I will take pics.

If

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Keith

rocketraider · June 12th, 2009, 11:15 PM

No, no, no, no, no. Don't even think about such a swap unless you're 1) up for a challenge or 2) a masochist. There are a LOT of things that would make this swap difficult, the very least of which is the 394 will not mate to any modern transmission without a lot of custom fabrication.

This is a rare case where I'd advise using a SBC if you can't find a proper 326/350/400 Pontiac engine for this car.

kmz68bird · June 12th, 2009, 11:36 PM

I pulled the engine and trans out of the car tonight and it looked like it would be a nightmare. I wanted to feel out how much would have to be done with it.

The 88 has been sitting behind the barn at our farm for about 20 years. It is in really rough shape. The glass is destroyed and it has seen the worst of the Wisconsin winters. If you are interested I could take a pic of it?

I might sell off the 394 and trans and get a 400 for the Bird and make the next few years of my life a little easier.

I would love to keep the engine and make it work but my dad said he wouldn't be disappointed if I sold it to make progress on my Firebird build.

Does anyone know someone interested?

kmz68bird · June 13th, 2009, 08:20 AM

I live in Wausau

Oldsguy · June 13th, 2009, 06:13 PM

Wasau!!!!????? No kidding?
I was there in the eighties for a few years recruiting for the Navy. It was the worst two years of my career, couldn't wait to get back to sea. Hey, anyway welcome to CO Keith.

kmz68bird · June 13th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Thats funny!!

Question for you guys,

What do you think I could sell the 394 with the hydromatic for?

I have no idea about what it is worth, I am looking to make some cash so

I could put the money into the 68 Firebird that I recently bought.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Keith

mugzilla · June 13th, 2009, 11:33 PM

'92 Olds Station Wagon engine w/ 4L60-E so you can put paddle shifters on the steering wheel ...

June 12th, 2009, 11:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
kmz68bird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	New owner of 1960 394 I recently purchased a 68 firebird without an engine and my dad suggested I pull his 394 out of his 1960 Super 88. I am wondering if anyone has heard of someone doing this conversion or are there things that will make it difficult? I also salvaged the entire grille and olds emblems and some emblems that go on the front of the hood and front edges of the front fender. If someone would need them please let me know and I will take pics. If Any help is greatly appreciated. Keith

June 12th, 2009, 11:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
rocketraider Oldsdruid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Danville Vajenya, the Last Capital of Dixie Posts: 1,214	No, no, no, no, no. Don't even think about such a swap unless you're 1) up for a challenge or 2) a masochist. There are a LOT of things that would make this swap difficult, the very least of which is the 394 will not mate to any modern transmission without a lot of custom fabrication. This is a rare case where I'd advise using a SBC if you can't find a proper 326/350/400 Pontiac engine for this car. __________________ I know absolutely nothing about Oldsmobiles. Just ask the owner of Oldspower.com

June 13th, 2009, 06:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	Wasau!!!!????? No kidding? I was there in the eighties for a few years recruiting for the Navy. It was the worst two years of my career, couldn't wait to get back to sea. Hey, anyway welcome to CO Keith. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

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June 12th, 2009, 11:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
kmz68bird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	I pulled the engine and trans out of the car tonight and it looked like it would be a nightmare. I wanted to feel out how much would have to be done with it. The 88 has been sitting behind the barn at our farm for about 20 years. It is in really rough shape. The glass is destroyed and it has seen the worst of the Wisconsin winters. If you are interested I could take a pic of it? I might sell off the 394 and trans and get a 400 for the Bird and make the next few years of my life a little easier. I would love to keep the engine and make it work but my dad said he wouldn't be disappointed if I sold it to make progress on my Firebird build. Does anyone know someone interested?

June 13th, 2009, 08:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
kmz68bird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	I live in Wausau

June 13th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
kmz68bird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Thats funny!! Question for you guys, What do you think I could sell the 394 with the hydromatic for? I have no idea about what it is worth, I am looking to make some cash so I could put the money into the 68 Firebird that I recently bought. Any help is greatly appreciated. Keith

June 13th, 2009, 11:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
mugzilla is Fast Enough ... Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: dogtown Posts: 848	'92 Olds Station Wagon engine w/ 4L60-E so you can put paddle shifters on the steering wheel ...