Hey guys been out of the loop for a while,trying to free up my 62' 394 out of my Dynamic 88. No luck after a year of soaking and patiently waiting. Recently came across a 70' Delta Custom with a 455,th 400.ive heard it's a fairly easy swap over. Is this true or am I in for a major hassle here?
Thanks Greg

 

I would rate that as one of the more difficult, much like interspecies swapping like chevy into Ford. Nothing is the same at all.

With torch and welder, all things are possible. But, it will be a project with lots of fabrication

 

Apparently back in the '70s one of the big aftermarket performance companies made conversion parts just for this type of swap. One of the fellas in the local Olds club has a '50s 88 with a 455 in it using the conversion engine mounts and adapters, but those parts have been out of circulation for decades now.

 

It can be done. Very similar to the 455 swap into my 57 Olds. You do need to have some fab skills access to a welder or a friend to can fab and weld the motor mounts for you, some drive line work, etc. I did mine at home in my garage. Took about 4-weekends after I had pulled out the old running gear. The only thing I didn't do my self was the exhaust system.

 

Whoever you heard that from has never done it. As Chris points out, you might as well be swapping a Ford motor in - it would be the same amount of work. The first gen Olds V8s have NOTHING in common with the second gen motors. NOTHING bolts up. This swap certainly can (and has) been done, but it will be a swap requiring fabrication, not a bolt-in.

 

And the Turbo 400 isn't trans tunnel friendly for your application. 63's and 64's are in about the same boat. I have a 64 Jetstar 88 that I'm building. Started with a 455 and 400. I can JUST get the tranny in without the rubber crossmember isolators in it. I'm going with a 200-4r or a 700-r4.

 

As others have said it can and has been done but all the ones I have seen the crossmember lies much lower than the frame and appears that it would be the first thing to be hit on a speed bump....Tedd

 

PM sent.

 

Thanks so much for the great info. I think this swap is a little more than I'm up for so I think I'll stick to plan A and pull the 394 and rebuild her. I was kinda reluctant to pull the original low mile motor out anyway. I really appreciate all the help.
Cheers
Greg