So my '64 Cutlass Holiday Coupe is in pretty good shape. Straight body lines, no rust, good paint, clean interior. The only issue is the engine - the original 330 and 2 speed were pulled in favor of a late 70's Olds 350 and 3 speed. Oh, and the TH350 just puked trans fluid all over my garage floor after hard shifting for the past couple months and dripping trans fluid.

Going in to the shop next week - but depending on the liquidity of some investments, it might leave the shop under new power. And by new power I mean Chevy LS - specifically a 5.3l from a truck, with a modern 4 speed auto trans behind it.

I know, I know - I heard the same arguments for years as I cobbled my Pontiac 350 engine along in my first gen Firebird - heaven forbid I put a newer non-Pontiac engine in it and actually drive the car... (and I never did, either)

The goal is modern drivability and no matter how I slice it, an LS swap just makes sense in my situation.

If anyone wants a good running late 70's 350... what, no one? Yeah - me neither.

It's a big investment - pretty much going to cost what I (over) paid for the car to do the swap (plus a few other goodies). But looking forward to long cruises up the PCH in the Spring! (that, and the addition 200+ hp I'll have over my current engine)

 

It's your car, so do what you like with it.
Some of us will deplore your choice, some will approve, others will be indifferent.

But you are making a 350 engine available for someone who wants one. Let us know where you are located, no doubt there be someone near you who would like the engine.

Roger.

 

I moved your thread to the non-olds engine section. Its your car, money, and happiness.

 

Those engines are great. I have read that the 6.0l will make 500 hp with just some rocker arms,better valve springs and reprogramming the Pcm. The problem you will have is none of your instrumentation will function. I am a big fan of modern EFI engines. Go for it!

 

I also like the LS engines, like others mentioned its your car I don't see anything wrong with engine swaps, its still an OLDS and that will never change.
I own 2 pontiac G8's both with the 3.6 V6's but they run great, I've been tossing around the idea of dropping in the 6.0l in my 76. Just waiting to get totaly fed up with the 350 currently in it. The wiring will be the biggest hurdle.
I just may have a 6.0l in my 76 by next summer. Go for it and enjoy it.

 

Thanks all! I gotta first see what my wallet will tolerate, otherwise I'll be patching up the TH350 and just driving it as is - but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of the modern LS.

 

Well, if your wallet can't tolerate it, the Olds Gods are telling you it's cheaper and wiser to stay with Olds power.....

 

Personally, I wouldn't put in a 4L65 or 4L70E trans in with it, they are no hell in my books.