Question on engine swap on my 54 olds 88

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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 05:18 AM
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54olds324's Avatar
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Question on engine swap on my 54 olds 88

I have a 1954 Olds 88 with a 324 motor in it, can say a 350 olds motor from the 60's or 70's be swapped in the 324 's place, if so whats involved , also will a trans from later years work also
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 05:38 AM
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Engine swap

The short version is that any engine and transmissions can be put into anything. The long version is how much time and money do you want to spend. There are several posts in CO dealing with this, and any swap involves fabricating motor mounts, transmission crossmember and new driveshaft. That being said, I have put a 455 in a 63 88, which is set up similar or a 54, and my current project is putting a 455 in a 55 S88. It's a little different, however, because I'm also installing a frame from a Vistacruiser in the 55.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 05:49 AM
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whats all involved to swap a 350 70's olds engine in a 54 Olds 88

I would like to swap in a 1972 Olds 350 motor into my 54 Olds 88 that has a 324 motor in it now, are there any threads on doing this swap and where to get parts to complete this
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 54olds324
I have a 1954 Olds 88 with a 324 motor in it, can say a 350 olds motor from the 60's or 70's be swapped in the 324 's place, if so whats involved , also will a trans from later years work also
As noted, others here have done this. Be aware that the 1964-1990 Olds V8s are COMPLETELY different from the 1949-1964 first gen motors. This is far from a bolt-in swap. You will need to be able to fabricate mounts and other pieces.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:13 AM
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It is very involved. This is not an easy swap. The 324has a front motor mount while the 350 has side mounts. There are clearance problems with the exhaust manifold and the steering. It can be done but requires a lot of fab work. I think there are a couple threads on here. Use the search function and you should be able to find them.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:14 AM
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You only need to make one post.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:19 AM
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I've moved all the duplicate posts to this one thread. You will always get a better answer if you keep all responses to your question in a single thread. This way incorrect info can be caught and corrected quickly.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 06:28 AM
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
The 324has a front motor mount while the 350 has side mounts.
Unless you use the front mount and bracket from a Toronado.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 08:53 AM
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Is your 324 to far gone to rebuild? If not you would be better off with a rebuild of the engine and transmission. Keep in mind you have a 4000 lb + car and to make it a real fast hot rod would take a bunch of HP which won't come cheap. On the other hand you can cruse and be cool with a stocker and just enjoy life and empress people with the fact that you haven't altered your ride... Just my thoughts, it's your ride and money..... Tedd
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_padavano
Unless you use the front mount and bracket from a Toronado.
Good point but it would still require some type of side mounts to keep the engine from rotating from the torque since the it would have a center mount on the transmission.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by redoldsman
Good point but it would still require some type of side mounts to keep the engine from rotating from the torque since the it would have a center mount on the transmission.
Obviously you need a three point attachment. Either you need to use aftermarket crossmembers for the late model engine and trans mounts or you need to use a front mount like a Toro mount and fabricate brackets that bolt to the bellhousing bolts to pick up the two side mounts in the stock 54 locations.
Old Apr 1, 2016 | 11:36 AM
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I think if I were doing this swap (never happen on my 54) I would look at using the Toro front mount and fabricating some transmission mounts that mount to the bellhousing bolts. I think it would be easier.
Old Apr 9, 2016 | 12:17 PM
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Ive always wanted to do a blown 455 in a 54.
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