Hi, so I've recently come across the opportunity to trade my Honda bike for an 85 Delta 88 with a pretty bad engine knock. I'm still debating on if I should. I found a 72 Olds 350 rocket locally for pretty cheap. It currently as a 307 in it and I've read that the Olds 350 should drop right in.

I was just trying to find out what else I will need to gather to do the swap for my mechanic.

I've owned a few older Cadillacs and had a chance to buy a 78 Delta 88 with a worked over rocket 350 but slept on the chance to do so and have been kicking myself ever since. This car is pretty clean besides the engine knock.

Thanks in advance!

 

Pretty much nothing. The 307 and 350 are externally identical. It's a total bolt-in. Obviously you'll want to operate the 350 without the CCC system, so you'll want non-computer carb and distributor. You'll need to make a minor change to the A/C compressor wiring as the compressor clutch is controlled by the computer to cut out at W.O.T. Similarly, if you keep the 200-4R, you'll want some sort of converter lockup control. Your 85 has the crappy tubular stainless manifolds. Use the 350 exhaust manifolds instead. Swap the entire accessory brackets/water pump/pulleys from the 350 as a matched set. Pay attention to the two spacers between the PS pump bracket and the block. You'll also want to use the larger 350 starter, as the 307s used a smaller, lower-torque starter.

 

Hey Joe thanks for the info! I'll pass it on to my mechanic. I did the trade today and I'm not regretting it one bit so far. I did remove each spark plug to see if I could find the knocking but no change, my neighbor thinks its a leaky exhaust but I'm not sure. I may be keeping that 307 after all!

 

So I waited too long to contact the guy about the 350 and it sold! Any suggestions for finding a cheap and easy way to fix or find a new engine for my 85 Delta? Thanks! It's really hard to find an oldsmobile engine locally

 

Where is "locally"?

 

Delaware. There's a place in Philly with a few parts cars that might have something (waiting on a call back) but I really just want to get it running for now as I'm looking to keep it clean and original and use it as a cruiser.

 

Try searchtempest.com. This site allows you to search all the local Craigslist sites. You can set a mileage radius if you like. Here's an Olds 350 in Baltimore:

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/5292188679.html

 

I actually called him earlier, no answer but hopefully I'll hear back. I found this http://www.lowmileageparts.com/1986-...B#.VkC-k7erS70 but I'm also waiting for a response from http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/5262274660.html .


I can't tell you how bad I'm kicking myself for dragging my feet on that 72 Rocket!!! It was complete with carb, dist, everything listed for $250. And I had noticed he reposted it after being on there for a month so I thought I had time and could negotiate a steal. Ah well, serves me right for being greedy!

 

The guy from a yard called me back and said he would give me a low mileage 307 for 500.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/5292058684.html

I'm debating on if I should go with the 350 though, I'm sure I'll want the power later