So I've purchased a 1973 cutlass 442 it came off a lien sale the everything is straight body interior ect. It came without the engine and transmission. I want to get her moving while I dial in the details so I don't lose intrest. I know I will catch flack for this but I have purchased a chevy 350 small block and a two speed powerglide transmission to put in the 442. I've ordered a engine stand and will finish putting together the 350. Once completed MY QUESTION IS how much modification will be needed motor mount wise



, and are there conversion kits for such job to make the chevy small block compatible in my 73 442. I don't plan on keeping this motor transmission in the car forever just to get her moving. Thanks for any feedback.

 

You will need Chevy mounts for a 73-77 A body and move the battery to the passenger side. The wiring harness is different also so you will either need to modify it or get one from a chevelle or montecarlo to make it work properly.

 

Hi Andrew
I'm looking at the console and shifter, is it a manual transmission car? Does it still have the clutch pedals, z-bar and such? What part of California are you in? If its a factory 4 speed car it sure would be nice to make it as original as possible.

The easiest thing would be to put an Olds engine back in it, and depending on your location there may be members here nearby with an engine you could get at a reasonable cost. But if you are going down the path of a chevy you'll need to change the motor mounts, please don't weld chevy motor mount to the crossmember if your going back to Olds someday. You'll need to change parts of the wiring harness as the starter is on the other side. The sending units may need the wiring change for them. On this too, if you can preserve the Olds harness and not cut it up that will save you trouble when going back to Olds. The 2 speed will need different shifter linkage, so you'll need to come up with that. I don't know if the driveline length will need changed but that's something to investigate. Congrats on getting the car, I hope the project goes well for you. John

 

I looked at the pictures again and see the clutch pedals. Another option is to flip it, sell it to someone who has more money available to restore it and use that money to buy something more complete for you, maybe something that's already a driver.

 

 

The powerglide will probably require as much modification as the engine. I would find a 4 speed and an Olds 350 to go with it. You could get a smog motor pretty cheap and for probably less than the cost of the modifications. It would be a shame to chop up such a rare car.

 

You don't have to move the battery but you do need to get power and the purple wire to the starter which is on the other side of the block from an Olds engine. The distributor wire should reach and you may need to reroute some sender wires. The fuel line to the carb needs to be modded to fit what ever carb you choose. Mount a floor shifter for the power glide and hook up the cable. I believe the drive shaft should work.

As stated above you need frame and engine mounts for an A body Chevy. Its a very easy mod.

 

Thanks everyone I know it's possible I just figured I would throw it up here cause I know a lot of you guys have experience with this. In a perfect world I would have saved until I found a 4 speed trans and olds motor. I picked up my chevy 350+ trans for $400 and from someone who will assist me in the mechanics it really was the selling point for me. I'm mechanically inclined but it's always best to have experienced help. The car vin tells me it's a 4 speed 350 car. Clutch pedal is in the car duel exhaust and I have the hurst shifter as well. I will eventually restore it to as close as original as possible engine wise. Reso-mod style with the rest. Just out of curiosity what would a This car sell for in current condition. I don't think I would sell it. But just to know it's worth. When I look it up I'm getting 10k basic running condition. 15k good condition. 30k fully restored. Is this fairly accurate?

 

Sell the chevy stuff and find an olds 350, 403 or 455, people are yanking them for LS swaps left and right! 455 would be the best to pick up or trade!

 

With a nom Olds 350 and 4 speed in basic running condition still needing the rest of the car restored probably around $5-7500. I doubt the car will bring the numbers your talking about.

 

I just read through your other post, so the price you paid for the car was a deal. But here's a question, when it was $600 did that include the engine and 4 speed transmission? You mentioned it was numbers matching, which makes me think that had the engine that matched the car vin. If there's any way you can go back and buy the correct engine and 4 speed transmission that will increase the value of the car significantly.

I can't give you a price not knowing the condition of the car overall. But if its a driver that needs restored you might get say $1000 with a motor/transmission that isn't an Olds and not a manual transmission. If it has an Olds engine and 4 speed, but not numbers matching it might be worth $2,500-3,000. If it has the correct numbers matching engine/transmission and bolt on parts for the engine it might be $4,000-5,000. I'm not an expert on 1973's so my numbers may be off. But I think the ratio from non-Olds, Olds but not original, and numbers matching is pretty close. So... if you can locate the correct numbers matching drivetrain it would be worth borrowing the money to get it and keep it with the car. John

 

I was watching the news on TV and typing slow... but I agree with Eric. The 1973-77 cars drive nice but don't bring the money that earlier cars do. Also when you mix and match brands it will drive fine, but will be hard to sell. Most people who want a 1973 442 will be thinking 455 4 speed not chevy 350 with 2 speed automatic.

If you have no chance of getting the original motor/transmission I think going to a 455/4spd would be the best combination for the car. It would be a kick in the pants to drive and easier to sell if life changes and you do have to sell it.

 

Sorry, I just realized this post is in the non-olds power section. I should have kept my opinion to myself about what engine/transmission you want to put in your car. John

 

I'll give you the best advise: SELL IT TO ME

 

Olds73 I'm sure you aren't talking about the Chevy 350 engine. I've already offed it. And now have a early F block 455 with C heads on my engine mount dialing in for a fix up. I'm on here as a newbie so and have been fumbiling around. But the 73 is defiantly not for sale and I will have her up cruising soon enough.

 

good move that car wil be well suited to the BBO

 

Start a new build thread since you nix'd the Chevy swap.

 

Oldscutlass I have already started a new thread I was just replying to someone's comment. BBO?

 

BBO - Big Block Olds


Going with the Olds 455 was a good decision. While you're working on it, if need be, make the provisions for a manual transmission while it's out of the car.

 

Just an FYI, if the 455 doesn't work out, another member is selling a '71 350 that's setup for a manual transmission.

Click here to view his for sale post.

 

Is the block equipped with the 4 speed stud boss & is the crank drilled for the 4 speed input shaft on the trans? Better to know this BEFORE you put that engine in the car. If the block is an F block it will have the stud boss. If it is an FA block it may or may not have the stud boss.

 

Oldsmobiledave this is a F block I have the casting numbers where do I check for the boss stud holes in which makes this a manual compatible engine?

 

Post a picture of the back of the crankshaft and we can tell you if it is drilled for the 4 speed or not.

All F block 455s have the 4 speed stud boss so you are safe there. It's on the driver's side of the engine block down low near the bellhousing face.

 

Here's the front and back. It's on a stand so one of the pictures we're hard to get.

 

Take a pick of the left side of the block at the bellhousing area.