I recently got a '63 F85 to work on and restore. It has the 215 V8 but I wanted swap that with a 350 rocket. I found one near me that a guy is selling but its a '71. Was wondering if I could make it work easily? Haven't had time to look too far into it yet so any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Why do you want to replace the 215? It's pretty cool because it is an aluminum engine. If you want more displacement why not go to a 455?

 

I do not think this is an easy swap, others will chime in.

 

Hi,

The 215 is actually a Buick based engine, and I believe has a different unique bell housing so you may need a transmission change or bellhousing if you've got a stick.
Also the distributor is in the front vs rear on a Olds and starter is on the passenger side or at least it is on other Buick engines, not sure on thoses early 215's.

Any Oldsmobile engine could be made to fit, all depends on the amount of work you want to invest along with what you end goal is for the project, driver, drag car, etc...

Regards,

 

The first thing you need to know is that the 215 weighs 320 lbs soaking wet. A 350 Olds weighs close to 650 lbs. Then there's the issue of the trans swap, floor pan mods, bigger rear axle, and all the additional weight from these mods. Yes, it can be done (Pontiac put an iron 326 into the Tempes), but I wouldn't recommend it.

The 61-3 cars weigh about 2700-2800 lbs. If you build the aluminum V8 to make 275-300 HP (not too difficult), you have better power-to-weight than a 1970 W-30. There are a lot of speed parts for the 215, due both to the commonality with the Buick V6 and small V8s and the use of the 215 by Rover for nearly four decades. As noted, the bellhousing is unique to these motors. A hot setup is to start with a Rover 4.6 liter short block (which bolts right in place of the 215) or a Buick 300 crank to build a stroker.