Buick 350 - years and compatibility

[Peter Matusov]

hi folks,

looks like my '68's motor bit the dirt, so I need a replacement. Barring a $1369, 7 years/70kmi warrantied, long block - what years Buick 350 engines will bolt on?
Or, what other Buick (or Olds/Pontiac) engines
will fit?
I'll hit the yards on Thursday, it would be nice to know what to be looking for.

Thanks,

[Crazy_Jeepman]

All Buick 350's will be a bolt in. Cadillac, Pontiac, Olds will all bolt to your trans, but would require mods on the frame towers for the motor mounts.

[LRRH]

BOP(C) Bolt pattern.

Buick
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Caddilac

A few here have gone the Caddy 500 route. When my 350 bites thes dust I would just find a Buick455 to swap in.

[Peter Matusov]

Well, I'm researching this issue.
It looks like nearly everything from ~'63 Buick 215 V8 (maybe even the late-years Land Rover V8) to ~90 307 Olds should bolt on.
My junkyard recollection was that Buick at some time went from front-mounted distributor to rear, Chevy-style. So did the others. Does anyone know how it might affect the swap?

[tgreese]

You could even go to a V6 if you chose to. Usual swaps in V6 CJs/Jeepsters are the 300, 340 or 350 Buick - all go in without changing the bellhousing or mounts.

[Peter Matusov]

Tim, the odd-fire 231 is something I could live without; the even-fire (3.8 or 4.1l) I know little about, except for 3.8 was more common in FWD cars and has a wrong bolt pattern.
...learning by the hour...

[Crazy_Jeepman]

GO BIG!!!! LOL smile.gif

[Slingshot formally slingluff]

Hey Pete,

Long time no hear from. What happened with the motor? If you can wait, I will be surplusing my oem motor out of my '69 (minus some stuff). This will probably happen mid march. It's a good old motor that may need head work. You've seen it, not pretty but reliable.

You may want to look at the exaust manifold bolt pattern compatability if you plan on using your existing manifolds.

Riverbeast and I plan on hooking up this Sunday at his place up in murphey canyon. If you want to join us, drop me a line

Dave

[Peter Matusov]

well, nothing in particular - some rattle and knocking noises, low compression readings, miss, etc., just enough for me to pull the heads. The PO really cared well for the jeep, so there isn't something that's obviously broken, just everything's evenly worn out.
I have tomorrow and Friday off, will hit the yards for Buick 350s.
Did Todd move to San Diego? I might swing by!

[mandoneer]

find yourself a buick grand national and take the motor and turbos out of it then get the stage 4 turbo and redo the bottom end and you will have a 600 HP V6 and then you will have a "drag wagon " but I would go with a buick 400 watch out though because the 301(not good)is the same block, if the oil filter is real small than its the 301 not the 400-then you can stroke the 400 with a 455 crank and really get some !!

[East Texas]

I'm in the middle of my own Dauntless 327 to Buick 350 swap on my 69 Waggy. Nothing but problems so far. The bolt pattern on my bell housing is completely different from the Buick 350. It has the original 3 speed manual tranny. Lookin' for answers.

[Peter Matusov]

hi all,

I am happy to report that - thanks to you, Albert Metzel, and two of my close friends, - I now have a great 350 from a 72 Le Sabre, topped with well-tuned Quadrajet, in my '68. Drove it around the block yesterday - pulls like a train!
So far, it's been a fastest, cleanest, and easiest engine swap I've ever attempted.

The engine, complete with all accessories, cost me $232. Unbelievable...

Peter

[Kaiserjeeps]

Peter, I see you have a few rovers. Do you know Doug Shipman here in Portland? He is one of the West coasts premier rover guys. He also created the NW team trophy challenge held here every may.
He is quite a nutcase. I wondered if you knew him.

[Peter Matusov]

Nevada trophy? I've been thinking of participating in it - maybe not this year, won't have time to get ready, but sometime in the future.
I may have heard of Doug, but don't _know_ him. There are quite a few rover nuts in Oregon.