I have a 64 Olds that originally had a 394 with a hydromatic. I have an opportunity to purchase a 74 455 with a turbo 400 tranny. Would this fit, and what kind of problems would I expect. The previous owner put a 350 Chevy into the 64, and I would like to have an olds motor. Any help would be appreciated.
Ken

 

Should be no problem. Not sure how the chebby was mounted. May have to start over on the mount brackets, Get the rubber mounts for Olds (part #2261) bolt them to the block. i believe you have to use the front two mount hole on the side of the block. Your steering box behind the front axle, so fab a bracket to line up with front mount. There must be a trans cross member, Set your engine and trans in place were you want it to sit. Set the trans cross member, drill the frame, bolt it down. With the steering box there, you will have problems with the exhaust manifold. I used a 425 Olds center dump manifold. Everything else is adapt and fab. shift linkage, throttle linkage. Radiator, I would find an aluminum rad. to match the outlets from the engine. Use the alt and p/s pump for the 455, that way the pulley's line up,(make sure you get the pulleys with the engine) adapt the wire for the alt and may have to make new hose's for the steering. Run metal lines for the trans cooler to an aux trans cooler. Make sure you can get the slip yoke for the T-400 trans. May want to run a big electric fan on the rad, unless you still have the fan shroud for the '64. Fairly easy stuff, just take your time and give it some thought, and it will work out.

Get a hold of "citcapp" he has a whole article on his swap. His is a different year, but pretty much the same frame set up.
Gene

 

I put a 455/400 in a 64 some years back. Just like 64rocket said. Just take your time. It was easy. From what i remember there wanst really that much we had to do. Custom motor mounts, and custom crossmember. I have pics somewhere.

 

Why would you want to pull the chevy. We all know Olds motors are unreliable, dont make power, get 1 MPG, and you will have to remortgage your home just to pay for parts. LOL

 

I figured it would be a fairly easy swap, just have to get rid of the chevy mounts, and start over. Thanks for all the good info. I will probably be asking more questions when I get started.
Ken

 

A chevy motor in an olds just seems wrong. The guy just threw away the 394, but from what I have read it may be a good thing. Besides a big boat like this needs a monster motor.

 

As said by others just take your time should work out fine. I put a 455 and a turbo 400 in my 57. not much fab work just lots of measure twice cut once

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm sure that it will work out fine and should make a great combination. Stay tuned, I may need some advice.

Ken