I recently pulled the original 394 out of my car and will be putting in a 1966 425. As you are probably aware, the 394 engine mount is at the front of the engine. I don't have the 425 yet (hopefully picking it up this weekend). I'm assuming the 425 does not have front engine mount capability. I will have to rig up some type of side engine mount configuration. Are there kits for this? Or, do I need to pull out the welder, scratch my head and build these darn things?

Also, I will be using the 1966 transmission (from the donor 66 Delta). My question here is the driveline. The 1960 frame is an X frame with the driveline mounting and going through the middle of the X. Will I be able to use the original driveline (with a different yoke) to turn the rear end?

Which brings up another question. How can I tell what gearing my rear end has? Are there parts available for the 1960 rear end?

This forum is awesome! I am very excited to work on this Olds. I am a Chevy guy from way back and am ready to tackle something new.

Jim

 

Several others on here are a great help and will chime in.

 

The Toronado used the front engine mount 425

 

I don't think the Toronado front mount is a straight swap, but it is a place to start with modification. I know others who have made this engine swap and as I remember the cross member you have to fab is a problem, it wants to set too low and is an issue with ground clearance, so take a long look and a measurement before you start to cut anything. I don't remember a drive line issues, but I was only helping and didn't get involved in a lot of the difficulties. I do remember it was more involved than the owner anticipated and the cross member was an issue that really never was resolved to his satisfaction....Tedd

 

The first gen Olds engine and trans used a three point mount with a single front motor mount and a pair of mounts on either side of the bellhousing. The frame is not configured to accommodate the mounts on a second-gen Olds V8. This swap has been done, but it requires fabrication. The Toro front mount and bracket is one option, but as Tedd notes, it is not a bolt-in. You still need to fabricate bellhousing mounts for the trans. Frankly, the TH400 was not designed to be cantilevered like this, but people have also swapped the TH400 behind the 394, so it can be mounted. You'll also need the repro "Starfire" driver side exhaust manifold for the 425 to clear the steering box.

 

Thank you so much for the info. Joe, can you please ballpark the year Starfire for the exhaust manifold?

Jim

 

http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....?number=EM650L

And I use "starfire" in quotes because while this is what the repro houses call it, it was used on any 1965-70 Olds full size with BBO and dual exhaust.