this might sound like a dumb question

I currently own a 59 holiday coupe that came to Australia in 1960
somewhere along the line it has been taken of the road for restoration
and i brought it with the engine and trans not in the car
the engine is a 350 olds engine and the auto is a TH 350
my question is will i run into any problems fitment wise or will this engine trans combination fit into my car with minimal problems

sorry for the long winded post id just like to know if i have bitten of more than i can chew with this project

Thanks

Brett

 

I don't think you will have trouble. I fit a 455/TH400 into my '46 model 76 without mofifying the frame or cutting into the floor boards or firewall. Had to get a new driveshaft of course and fabricate mounts for both the engine and transmission. The new radiator still fit in the same location fore/aft wise, just shorter and wider. I think a few people here have done something similar or own cars that were already modified. Norm has a '50 model and a '51 model 88 I think at least one of them has a 350 in it or maybe even a 455. Can't think of anyone else right off the top of my head though.

 

I'am just finishing up installing a 455 and turbo 400 in my 1957 Olds. This is very similar to your 59. As Oldsguy says you will have to make motor mounts for both the engine and transmission because the locations are different then the original engine and tranny combo. Not to diffcuilt a task if you know how to weld or have a friend who does. You will also have to do drive shaft Modifications. Check the thread 455 engine swap under big blocks for more information

 

Putting a 350 into any '59 Olds is taking a step backwards in my opinion.. Why wouldnt you step it up to at least a big block 425 or 455 if you are going to go through the trouble of mounts, custom driveshaft, etc, etc? But then again, I wonder how easy it is to get a big block in Australia

 

Good point, it may be the engine that is available. But let's remember, not all of us are BBO people and have to admit that the SBO has lots of potential. I have read about many SBO equipped Oldsmobiles that are much faster than any BBO Oldsmobile I have ever owned. But, gotta love that torque!

 

It just depends how much money is thrown at them with custom parts.. If you have enough money you can get a boat anchor 307 making more torque and horsepower than a stock 455 . Is it practical? No

 

it was just the engine and trans that came with the car when i brought it
hence the reason why im using them

 

Both are '50s. Both are 88 Coupes.

Red Coupe had the 437 (425) until last November. Grey Coupe has a 468 (455).

The reason I used a 455 in my Grey Coupe, was that I had one (destined for a boat) ready to go. If any other engine (307. 350, 403, 283, 327, 350, 396, 454, etc) had been on that stand, I would have used it.

The conversion is no different than that of a 455.

Norm

 

I would think finding a 455 in Australia would`nt be that easy.