SO,

The Oldsmobile Gods continue to smile on me, allowing my "terminally ill" CC's 307 to not only survive but (relatively) thrive. Sure, the "knocka-knocka" low-end noise is still there (and scary), she's not a fan of long freeway running, cold starting, etc., but she has yet to really let me down.

Still, I wanted to know my options. Problem is, after MUCH searching, I STILL don't.

It seems that Olds' 307 isn't exactly an SBC, a BC or any C at all (the "Chevy" 307 threw me for a bit), and nobody--including GM--offers a "crate" or all-in "new" motor for purchase*.

[* the CL listing at the bottom not withstanding...]

You can build one, of course, but that would require buying the whole shebang piecemeal (nothing I have is guaranteed to be reusable) at a HUGE cost. You can pay someone to "rebuild" the engine you have now, too, but the last two still apply (plus no guarantee that the "reinstalled" bits are 100 percent).

With that in mind there's the last-ditch, dice-rolling option: "pulling".

Seems that you can get a "low-miles, hear-it-run" engine here in MI for around $800 (trans included!). I can't find the *exactly* right year/spec, and wouldn't know what to do with it if I did. Just taking the damn engine out and replacing it ("gone over") is nearly $1k by itself.

I do NOT want to think about how the math will never make sense and that she's one bad rpm away from a parts car. I have a wife for that. What I'm desperately begging for is an answer that ISN'T that, facts-be-damned.

[And being "numbers-matching" isn't an issue, either. I think my kids can live with a still-alive re-engined car better than an all-original driveway ornament.]

I leave it to you...

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"Brand new olds 307 crate motor never ran. New edelbrock intake, new headers, new distributor, complete motor never ran has sat a few years but ready to run any questions give me a call, thanks $700"

 

Sounds like a good deal if it turns over easily by hand...of course if he lets you dig into the engine a little bit that would be good

 

What about dropping a good used olds 350 in it I believe (not positive here ) that all accessory mount up the same

 

Amen to this. There have been members around who got the computer to work well with it also. You will get the advantage of more power also if you get a 68-72 350.

 

Yeah, this is kind of a no-brainer.
So long as you're not at the mercy of the smog *****, just throw in any small block you can find that's in decent shape and be done with it.
307, 330, 350, 403, heck, even a 260 if it's cheap enough.

Focus on finding the right engine (good condition, low miles, for your application preferably unmodified) and don't worry about the CIDs.

- Eric

 

I'm in the middle of that with my 84 Custom Cruiser right now. The 307 started making expensive noises a year ago and it's been parked since then. A month ago I realized that I have a running (OK, ran when parked...) 350 in the 71 parts car, so I tried to get it started. I had some ignition problems, so I stabbed in a junk HEI I had laying around, ran a jumper to the BATT terminal on the distributor, primed the carb, and what do you know? Fired right up on the first try.

That motor is now out and being degreased. I've MIGHTASWELL'd myself into new gaskets, timing set, rear main, and probably a Perf RPM that's laying around. Yes, the 350 is externally identical to the 307 in every substantive measure.

Of course, this will just accelerate the demise of the 200-4R.

 

I've seen an occasional new 307 in the crate show up on ebay, but keep in mind that it's been nearly 25 years since GM installed one of these in a new car, so the GM parts system had pretty much dried up. On the other hand, rebuilt 307s are readily available. Even RockAuto lists them (rebuilder is Marshall Engines).

If I remember, your car is a 1989 or 90, correct? A rebuilt long block for that car is $1440 plus $300 core from RockAuto. 36 month/100K mile warranty. Return shipping of core included.

Of course, there are many other sources of rebuilt 307s besides RockAuto.