84 buicke lesabre 307 olds. 82k on motor

Im fixing the suspension issues up front this week. front shocks are gone.

The 307 runs. i drive 8 miles everyday to work. The timing seems to be off on the car, according to my mecahnic "buddy". and i would agree as well. Im being told that the water pump should be done when replacing the timing chain, and oil pan gasket. at a cost for both of 540.00.

i would love to put a new motor in the car. Im not looking for a race car by any means. I would like to see my car able to be driven for years to come. something with torque and pull. Daily drivabilty is a factor.

I am on a budget, but would like to do this right.

I am thinking of buying a wrecked pickup truck or suburban, and swaping all of the parts into my body. I have no emmissions to deal with.

Or would I be better off looking for a chevy 350 or olds 350? The transmission concerns me, I am unavare if i could use my stock transmission, it was serivced about 5k ago,

Thank you for all future help. and happy new years all





I love this car, even though the outside got dragged out of a garage before i bought it, by some elderly gent. Love the interior, in fact re-did the headliner.

 

Look for an Olds 350 or 403. A pre 76 350 is the best, 403 came from 77-79. Everything from the 307 will swap over. The sbc 350, nothing accesory wise will swap over. What trans and are you still running the computer?

 

the car is bone stock as of now. going to have all new shocks. And i put a new carborator on as of 3 months ago.

will the stck tranny work with the olds 350 and 403?

I was curious aswell to know, if an LT1 drivetrain(with 460le) out of an fbody would be a good route as well. I could get a new intake an carborate it, an i believe i would have to change the opti spark out.

Im going to be attempting the sway myself, along with my friend. I will have access to a garage. I can turn a wrench, am familar with cars. Having never done a swap. what route would your recommend to me
thank you

 

I miss my 85 LeSabre. Post some pics.

 

Hi Johnny, just some thoughts on your car:

I guess the engine choices boil down to how much power you want. The 307 will be reliable and deliver decent gas mileage, but not very powerful. A 350 or 403 will give you more power and the LT1 would work too but require the most work.

The 307: The timing chain is a good idea, and since it's a decent amount of work to get at it so you should do the water pump at the same time. If the fuel pump is old, I would do that as well too. (Easy with everything out of the way) I am guessing your oil pan is leaking and that is why you want to replace it? Don't need to do it just to replace the timing case seals.

The 200r4 is a good trans in your car but it will not hold up to abuse unless it has been "beefed up". A 350 or 403 will bolt right up but again the trans will need some help. The computer controlled system can work with either of these engines but you will need to modify the carb a little bit to flow better.

Hope that helps.

 

x2 on the Oldsmobile 350 or 403. You can beef the trans up at the same time. I say drive it as-is until you can get the parts and/or cash ready to do the swap, then yank that 307. You're talking about a simple weekend swap going from Olds to Olds.

 

Speaking from experience, at the time, I owned an '84 Delta 88 with the 307. The timing chain went, and I decided since I was in a night tech class for rebuilding engines, I brought the heads in. Did a three angle valve job, put it all together and it ran like a new car. Surprisingly, the car actually found a few more horses too....

 

Post pics! I love that sweet 80-85 lesabre they look very similar to the delta 88s.

 

I have a 93 Buick Lesabre , and have that 3.8 ( 3800 ) motor in it . That car moves like lightning

 

I replaced the fuel pump. car runs much better. I'm looking at engines on jegs. Found there chevy 350 with 290hp for 1800.oo or so. I am talking to my friend down the street to see what else i have to consider.

What I think ill need:
Transmission
Intake
carb
assesories
engine mounts?
headers.
driveshaft

I dont have a camera. . But the outside has body work done, and i need a new driver side fender. The inside is where it looks best, especially after i redid the headliner.

 

blasphemer!!!! take your chevy swap to the non olds forum before you're beheaded.