I'm hitting a bit of a lull on my '69 while we wait on the engine shop. I plan on physically going in there (finally) Tuesday unless they call before hand, but seeing as it's been in there 3+ months for a cleaning and sleeve, I don't see much happening before then. From there, it still needs to be rebuilt..so I'm pretty much counting out the 400 for this season.

I have a good buddy of mine who has a fresh Olds 350 sitting in his shop he's offered up to me for pretty cheap. My thought is to use that to allow the car to hit the road before the end of the year, so I can give it a good shakedown as well as get a few other things done at a shop.

Is it more work than it's worth to stick a 350 in the car temporarily? I know SB vs BB Mopars are drastically different (that's the world I'm coming from) so would it be the same for the Olds?

Thanks.

 

Should be a direct swap, just use the same engine mounts, accessory brackets, and pulleys. I think the only difference would be the exhaust manifolds and down pipes.

 

The 350 is a short deck Olds, the 400 is a tall deck. The differences are equivalent to the 383 vs 440 Mopar motors. And do NOT get "350" motor mounts. Your 1969 uses 2328 mounts on the 400. Bolt them to the 350 and it drops right in with your current frame pads. As always, swap the entire water pump, pulley, and accessory bracket assembly as a matched set. Don't forget the power steering pump bracket spacers.

 

It's an easy one as far as engine swaps go. Follow the advice given and you'll be driving your car.

Good luck!!!

 

Okay, that doesn't seem hateful then.

I'll have a bit better of an idea (hopefully) after Tuesday regarding whether I go this route or not. Everything still seems to be hanging on the engine shop, and I'm really getting antsy.