Projects chevy swap into 63 olds 88

I have a 63 olds 88 convertible. Anyone had any experience doing a chevy small block and 350 tranny swap? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

Be patient. The haters will be here in just a minute. Nice looking car.

 

Yeah, it is ...... damn shame!

 

cant not find anyone to work on the olds slim jim tranny, i want drive this car instead of letting sit in the garage

 

I can work on the slim jim if you get it to me.

A small block would go right in, easy peasy, although I doubt that anyone makes swap mounts for it so you will have to fabricate. or I have a balls to the walls 394 here with a B&M Hydro that I am getting ready to assemble and sell. But it is probably way more engine and tranny than you want.

Anyway the slim jim is just another tranny to an old guy and if you need it worked on get it to me.

 

I believe bendstens or wilcap sell an adapter so you can keep your motor and update the trans - dont throw the baby out with the bathwater if you dont have to....yes adapters are pricy but so are all the little things you will need to perform a motor swap, not to mention the diminished value of the car

 

So for some reason you think it would be easier to swap out the entire engine/transmission package rather than :
a) Finding someone that can work on your original transmission. (Really, can it be that hard?)
-or-
b) Adapting a more suitable transmission, possibly even an overdrive unit, to your Olds engine.

IMHO, either of those options would be much preferable, and would not devalue the car nearly as much.

 

Someone here did such a swap in a '62 Olds recently. I would consider adapting another transmission in or take PnB up on his generous offer. The 394 is a great engine, be nice if you kept it.

 

I dunno I swapped in an inline 6 cylinder out of an AMC Gremlin along with the 3 speed once into a '54 Effie because the 6 volt battery took a shit. I was broke and had the gremlin with no title, and a torch and some coat hangers. The battery going was really just an excuse. I eventually swapped in a 428 SCJ though.

There are tranny shops all over these days that will work on the old stuff. Not hard to find and like I said its just another tranny to me if all else fails. A simple HAMB relay and my time is all it will take.

 

Hey Beaner-good to see you are still on top of the dirt. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Thanks. I have been off the grid for a while. Spent some time re-wiring the Hide Out and then was off to the coast to spend time with my sis.

Thanks Giving is just a start all the holidays should go well for you my friend. Find time for family & friends and enjoy.

 

Shame to put a chevy in that Olds.

 

Yea I know, I really would like to keep it stock, but from what I have heard about the slim jim tranny, even if I got it rebuilt, they still give problems. And I love these old cars, but I want something to drive, not worrying if something breaks I have tow it home, cause you can't get many parts at autozone

 

Well gee willicures they never even left the neighborhood when they were new.

There is nothing wrong with a slim jim and just to be honest with you; you are not going to fix a turbo 350 in a parking lot, lets be real here. They are not a racing tranny but they are fine for a driver and have been for a very long time.

 

Since we don't know where you are located it is difficult to offer help as to repair shops that might just be in your backyard. Unless you drive the 'vert during the lovely Winter months then you certainly have time to find a shop or get it to PnB for fixin. And yes, I am among those that say fix what you have rather than a shiverlay swap.

.

 

Well!! thanks for the advice, I may check about adapting a manual tranny to the 394 if I can find the pedals

 

Theres a Bendtdens adapter in the classifieds. Put a chevy trans behind that motor. I talked to the guy earlier this year and based on the flywheel count, i think it fits your motor. It wouldnt work with my 60 olds, it has a different lower bell housing and starter.

 

General Motors did that stunt in 78 Oldsmobile Deltas and Cutlass models so I guess you could do it too but prepare for a uproar from the car crowd.
If you absolutely must do it you had better do a 572" with a hole in the hood to pop that 671 thru it.
Then, maybe we'll pat you on the back.

 

Wondering whatever happened with electrotech's 63 Olds swap dilemma. Is this thread still alive somewhere?

 

I think a BOP Turbo 350 will fit . Could be wrong . It might be hard to find a BOP case .

 

A million Chevy's in Fords but put one in a BOP and every one goes batcrazy. I had one in my 64 Buick and I needed a boat to keep us above the whine.

 

I've owned many Slim Jims, even had one behind a Pontiac 421, your 100% right, get rid of it and have a car that's fun to drive!

You could look for a 65 up Olds 400 or the later 455 with a Turbo 400.. That would be a blast..

That 9.3 rear end in that car can handle anything you throw at it!! I'd go big block 454 with a turbo 400..

 

Because of the extended bellhousing on the Olds, the use of an adapter requires the newer GM trans bellhousing to be machined off. The adapter replaces it, and bolts to the pump bolts. This is the best way to adapt a later trans. If you use a later trans with the bellhousing, then you need to extend from the Olds flexplate (really it's a new part, but close enough) several inches to another flexplate type piece that the torque converter bolts to. Result is an extra long trans setup and more interference type problems.

Goatroper on here is an Olds specialist and can set you up with everything you need for the newer trans and able to keep the 394.

 

It has been 4 years plus a day since the OP was on here. I wonder what he ended up doing?

 

Probably keeping mum, so he doesn't hear any grumbling.