Technical MOTOR, Dang! The secret is out...BUICK 350 engines!

Fatchuk, CAR CRAFT did an article detailing th installation of a 200R4 tranny into a mid 60s Buick or Olds a couple years ago. I doubt that I still have that issue laying around, but I will take a look.

They robbed the 200R4 out of a mid 80s Oldsmobeast and hooked it behind the older engine. Needed a few minor crossmember mods as I recall, but the installation was a fairly straight forward swap.

One thing, you will need to run a thrttle-valve (TV) cable to the carb to control line pressure in the overdrive tranny. Not a big deal, and you can likely fab something up using junkyard parts. Also, I think the converter will require that you wire up a lock-up switch control, but I'm not certain of that.

The rearend origianlly used with the 350 motor will work out fine behind the 455. The 455 is a beefy torque monster...but it'll likely fry the tires rather than break anything if you leave the line enthusiastically!!!

Hope it helps!!

 

I had one in a winter-beater 79 full sized wagon. Granted, the wagon was a heavy sumbitch but even with the Q-jet, it was a DOG! And it was a mega-gas hog too. One day, the vibration dampener fell apart and I replaced it.
I swapped it off for a rusted 73 chevy pickup which I drove straight up to U-pull-it and sold for a 100 dollar bill...exactly what I'd paid for the wagon...
................not a fan.

 

Just picked up a '74 Buick 350 V8, and wanted to check the width and length. This online chart: http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html states a 23" width, 28" length, and weight of 450 lbs

I measured 22.75" for VC to VC, and 23.5" at the extreme ends of the exhaust ports, side-to side. Length front to rear, from the rear block face to the water pump shaft flange measures 28", jiving with what I found stated online.

 

I realize this is a 20 year old thread that the dude above me brought back, but I forgot about fat hack . Hopefully he’s still vertical

 

In-The-Pink just set a new HAMB record that probably will never be beat for digging up the longest dead and gone thread.
I had a 350 Buick that someone gave me in my 51 Merc for a couple of years back in the late 80's. The one thing I remember about it was that the oil pump and oil filter are right up there at the right front corner and I had to rework the stock crossmember in the 51 to clear it. I don't remember what happened to it except it developed health issues after a while but it and the transmisison behind it were free when I put them in.
The gray primer photo was taken in Oregon at a rod run that the Slo-Pokes were involved in around 1980 if not before. the other was where it sat from the time I went in the army until I moved back from Texas in 1977. I think we drug it out of there in 1978. I bought it in 1963 as a high school sophomore and my grandfather's cows had used it to rub on where it sat behind the barn. It would cruise down the road pretty good with that Buick in it though.

 

I had the 350/4bbl is a 70 J3000 in the early 80’s. It was a runner for sure. I changed the Pilot bushing when I did the clutch, but I have no idea if it came with the crank ready for one, or whoever put the engine in did it.
If I remember right, it said “ 350 Wildcat “ on the air cleaner lid.

 

I had a '69 Jeep pick up with a 350/TH400 and that sucker was a good runner! Lots of low end torque and ran like a watch. Good choice @ In_The_Pink

 

Anybody know FatHack? I hope he is OK

 

I've seen a few full size Jeep owners chiming in over on the Buick V8 forum, so good to see. While scouring posts there, I stumbled upon this post regarding the actual weight of a Buick 350, and thought it might be worth sharing: https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/stock-buick-350-weight-is-not-450-pounds.377517/

From that post:

Buick 350 engine weights (1971):

Bare block /w caps and bearings: 171.3 lbs (78.15Kg)
Block caps only (no bearings) **info only** 10.4 lbs (4.72kg)
Block cap bolts (set of 10) **info only** 1.85 lbs (841g)
Main bearings (complete set) **info only** 1.2 lbs (538g)
Crankshaft, bare 53.5 lbs (24.27Kg)
Piston, rod and pin assembly/w bearings x8 3.10 lbs(1.41kg)each
Oil pan/w plug 4.6 lbs (2.09kg)
Oil pan bolts 0.45 lbs (202g)
Oil pickup/w bolts 0.35 lbs (160g)
Windage tray w/bolts 0.87 lbs (394g)
Head assembled /w rocker assy’s & spark plugs x2 60.0 lb each (27.22kg)
(Rocker shaft assy’s only/w bolts/alum) **info only** 2.74 lb each (1.245kg))
Head bolts (complete set) 2.8lb (1.27kg)
Head gasket (composition) x2 0.32 lb each (144g)
Valve covers /w fittings /w cap 3.88 lb set (1.76Kg)
Intake (1971 2 barrel) 50.5 lb
Intake gasket (stock tin style) 0.90 lb (419g)
Intake bolts 0.88lb (400g)
T-Stat housing (aluminum) 0.40lb (182g)
T-Stat thin, light style 0.11lb (51g)
Camshaft: 7.3lbs (3.35kg)
Lifters (set of 16) 3.8lb (1.72kg)
Pushrods (stock)/set 2.16lbs (980g)
Timing cover /w waterpump, oil pump & bolts 10.3lb (4.67kg)
Timing set /w dist gear /w eccentric /w bolt 2.4 lb (1.08kg)
Harmonic balancer 5.17 lb (2.35 kg)
Harmonic balancer bolt only 0.34lbs (155g)
Exhaust manifold driver 15.5lb
Exhaust manifold passenger 16.5lb
Exhaust bolts complete set 0.88lb (400g)
Flexplate 4.5lb (2.05kg)
Flexplate bolts 0.28lb (125g)
Misc bolts/brackets/fittings/etc off engine 2.96lb (2.25kg)

**508.07lbs (231.41Kg) to this point *

Intake manifold (cast iron)...50 lbs.

 

I've been drinking the "450 lb. Kool-Aid" for years, if this list is accurate, it's an eyeopener! Thanks for posting.
I STILL like the Buick 350!!

 

It appears the OP in that topic went above and beyond to measure every part accurately, so I think 500lbs is reasonable.

I reinstalled the '74(?) cast iron exhaust manifolds and got a maximum width measurement of 25", save for the lone bulged area at the right rear corner, just aft of the rear block flange, which protruded an additional inch, for a maximum width there of 26".



Left side:



Right side:

 

never seen this thread. BUT, the pic is my fed with a buick 350 and a 471 on top. now sports a 671 on top. t/a makes a s/p intake and aluminum heads, but are way behind. other than that there is not much for the 350 unless you can imagine. lol
my blower intake was a sbm 340 dual quad, chevy int/exh valves, 283 forged pistons(that is it for bore), roush nascar rods, 1.88 honda rod brgs. looking to adapt ford 390/428 rockr arms. 1.76 vs 1.65 now. and no room on the fed for an oil filter. btw, gm made 7 different turns for the filter plate.
bearing/cam issues if short blk isnt built right. we go 6500-7500 rpm with no issues/leaks.
forgot an issue. dist/cam gear wear is an issue because of what we do. tim cvr is one reason. stock is fine, but not for hard racing. now running a cast iron t/c. no flexing now on the dizzy.
have race the v6 and 455. 350's done blow up.