Engine swap, 455 to replace 394 in 1962

[2blu442]

Hi All
I'm talking with a guy online who would like to upgrade his 1962 Olds by putting a newer engine and trannie in it. Has anybody here transplanted a 330-455 plus TH350 or TH400 into a car that came with a 394? Can you share your thoughts about the transplant? Easy, hard, impossible? He's got a nice car and I'm sure he doesn't want to cut it up making the swap. I've got several motors and trannies I could sell him, but I don't have the background to share if this is really a swap that he wants to do. John

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by 2blu442

........ who would like to upgrade his 1962 Olds by ........

Many would not consider it an upgrade, myself included.

394 has one front mount under the crank pulley, and two rear mounts, one on each side of the bellhousing.

Brackets will have to be fabricated from the frame to the 455 engine mounts, along with a crossmember for the single rear mount at the 400 tailshaft. If the ‘62 trans is the same length as a real Hydro and TH400, the driveshaft should fit, as is.

A body headers should fit with a couple of modifications

Early water pump, with the inlet on the left, is all that’s needed to use the stock radiator.

Unless I forgot something, the rest is a basic swap.

Norm

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 88 coupe

M
394 has one front mount under the crank pulley, and two rear mounts, one on each side of the bellhousing.

All Toronados with longitudinal V8 drivetrain (1966-198?) use a single front mount under the pulley. There are two styles of bracket. The early bracket bolts on using the front cover bolts. The later bracket bolts to the side of the block. That should make the front mount easy. Even the 307 brackets will bolt to the 455.

[Oldsguy]

I have also seen aftermarket and/or personally fabricated front mounts which are basically metal plates which are an extension of the front timing chain cover, well, actually I think they share some of the same bolt locations. I don't know about their feasability at all in this application however.

[Oldsfan]

This car:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/oldsfa...caincameo.html

has a 455/THM400 combo. Mark no longer owns the car. He didn't do the work, a previous owner did. The car has been on eBay twice since Mark sold it and I do not know it's current whereabouts.

So its obviously possible. How easy it is, I don't know.

Paul

[88 coupe]

Originally Posted by Oldsfan

This car:

has a 455/THM400 combo ........

It's not unusual to see similar conversions at any of the Nor-Cal Olds Club meets. All I've seen, were done the same as described in the second post, which is how I did mine. Exception is, that some did not use headers, I did.

........ So its obviously possible ........

Not only possible, it's about as basic as it gets. The second post stated as much.

........ How easy it is, I don't know ........

On a scale of 1 to 20, 20 being a 455 into a Corvair and 0 being a 455 into a "G" body, it would be about a one.

Norm

[64Rocket]

I used a "JC Whitney" universal engine mount. It is a tubular banana shape bar with mount ears for the thru bolt type 455 or 350 OLDS mount. I fab my own trans cross member and used a stock trans mount. I like the support in the middle of the engine and on the trans. I dont like the front mount and there is no place the support the engine in the middle on a late model engine.
The universal mount was a cut and weld or you could drill and bolt in. All this was for my '50 coupe, but the '62 is almost the same. Should be easy swap.
I looked on "JC Whitney" and the uni mount only list for chevy but will work the same.

Geno

[64Rocket]

I just check on "trans dapt" performance products. They have the one I used.

go to engine swap kits and then universal mounts. The picture of the #4840 is what mine look like. Use # 9587 kit and fab your own trans cross member

Geno
http://www.tdperformance.com/TransDapt.html

[2blu442]

Thank you to everybody who replied to this message. I'll pass on the info and let Robert decide what to do next. He lives in Sacramento so one of you guys may be closer than me and able to sell him an engine/trannie to use.
John

[64Rocket]

John

I'm a 100 miles from Sacramento. I can maybe help some what.

Geno (510)-499-9235

[2blu442]

Thanks Geno!
I just emailed your message to Robert.
John

[Jakespeed63]

Hey Fella's, sounds like I'm too late and also that I think too :Old Skool/traditional.....Leave the 394 and get a 700R4 adapted to that engine. Hot Rodders are scouring swap meets and barns to get ahold of these true Rocket engines. It cost me allot of dough to rebuild the motor in my Starfire, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Saving my pennies and dimes to retrofit a 700R4, under my workbench, into the Olds.
Ross Machine will shave the case and provide adapters. PM me for the info or jaytee43@earthlink.net.
later, gotta get back to The HAmb (www.jalopyjournal.com)
JT
P.S. What is the story on his old engine? Worn out? Cracked block???

[Oldsguy]

Ahh, I see we have another HAMBer here at ClassicOlds. Jake, I am working on my '48 trying to get the 455 in it and running. Going to a swap meet this Saturday for go-fast parts.....