1980 olds 350 in 63 cat

[63surfinsafari]

Hello everyone

My friend's parents want to get rid of a 1980 olds 98 regency in their garage. I guess the thing doesn't go into gear. He asked if I would want the motor for my 63 safari. I am dumping the non-rebuildable(as far as Im concerned) 63 and roto.

I plan on doing a pretty good make over on the vehicle, but no resto. Is this worth my time? The olds v8 has plenty of torque to move this beast and lets not forget the important part. Its free!

Give some feedback

thanks

[63surfinsafari]

Hello everyone

My friend's parents want to get rid of a 1980 olds 98 regency in their garage. I guess the thing doesn't go into gear. He asked if I would want the motor for my 63 safari. I am dumping the non-rebuildable(as far as Im concerned) 63 and roto.

I plan on doing a pretty good make over on the vehicle, but no resto. Is this worth my time? The olds v8 has plenty of torque to move this beast and lets not forget the important part. Its free!

Give some feedback

thanks

[Goatracer1]

It sounds that the OLDS tranny is NG, so what are you going to use for a trans? The Olds wont fit unless you make motor mounts, change exhaust,etc. I dont know why you dont want to rebuild your 389 but it would be way easier to put in a later Pontiac engine/trans than installing the Olds. Also as far as power goes an early 80's engine of any brand wont have much power.

[63surfinsafari]

Well, the tranny wont' go in gear but I believe its a 200r4. I would rather rebuild/pay for rebuild of that.

My setup is no good because of the starter bolted to the tranny. I want an overdrive transmission. I really don't need a weekend warrior car, I want something I can use.

I wouldn't mind pontiac power, its just not a big concern to be because I am basically starting over on this old car.

As far as the 80's having a lack of power, isn't this do too low compression and restrictive intake and exhaust. I can take car of that with rebuilt and milled heads and intake and headers.

Thanks Bob

I probably should just pass on this, because this motor is probably going to need some work. Plus I am in no hurry on this project.

[bmpmdf]

You need a call to Nunzi for his adaptor plate to use the 63 engine with a turbo 400 or turbo 350/375, 200r4, etc.

[63surfinsafari]

I am sure it's a great product. But dropping 600 on an adapter doesn't sound that great too me. I then have to buy a tranny and still rebuild my beat up 389.

[bmpmdf]

Where part of the country are you located? If you decide not to use the olds engine, I'd be interested in it for my 95 Delta.

[63surfinsafari]

Southern California
20 minutes away from palm springs

1.5 hours east of LA

[bmpmdf]

I guess that's alittle too far from St. Louis Mo.

[azbirds]

63 surfinsafari,
Adapters for the starter/bellhousing can't be that expensive. I had the same issue. Buy a core 400 Pontiac, since you said you needed to build it anyway. The 400 is less expensive to build and the 200-4R trans should bolt right up. I'm running a 200-4R in a T/A with a 455 and it does well, just make sure it is beefed up.

[63surfinsafari]

azbird

thanks for the reply. thats probably the route I am going to take. the 400's are pretty plentiful and I like being able to bolt up an od tranny.

Thanks again to everyone