Olds 350 rocket swap in 88 Caprice wagon??

Discussion in 'General Automotive Tech' started by Bdsammies, Dec 16, 2014.

  1. cammerjeff

    cammerjeff Longroofs Rule!

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    True, and if it needs bushings installed that would be easier. But just be sure to file down the swedges on the back of the screws that hold the butterly plates before you try to remove the 2 small plate retaining screws. If you don't you will probably break the screwhead off the screws, and then you will have fun getting the remains of the screws out of the throttle shafts! They swedged or peened over the screws to make sure they did notback out, and fall into the intake manifold.
     
  2. The Stickman

    The Stickman Well-Known Member

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    To be truthful I use stock throttle and TV cables on my Q-Jets. No problems what so ever.
     
  3. joe_padavano

    joe_padavano Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, no.

    The 400 (both early/short stroke and late/long stroke) are big block Olds motors. They have the same taller deck height as the 425 and 455 motors. The 260, 307, 330, 350, and 403 are small blocks due to the shorter deck height.

    As for swapping, the deck height is nearly irrelevant. All important interfaces (motor mount holes, bellhousing, crank centerline, overall length) are exactly the same between the two Olds engine families. The only difference is the deck height, which causes the BBO to be about 1" taller and 2" wider than the SBO. This is not a problem in the B-body wagons. Use the W/Z exhaust manifolds from the 1969-72 A-body cars if you choose a BBO. The only other difference is the need for minor mods to the 307's accessory brackets to fit the taller deck of the BBO. Of course, even a stock 350 will frag the 200-4R. You'll want to rebuild it using the appropriate internal upgrades, as sold by CKPerformance.
     
  4. Bdsammies

    Bdsammies Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for all your advice guys(y)
    I'll keep you posted!!!!:2_thumbs_up_-_anima
     
  5. Bdsammies

    Bdsammies Well-Known Member

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    Well...........swap is done!!!!!:yippee:

    Picked up my Caprice monday night, 403 installed and ready to go.
    That is a WORLD of difference compared to the 307.

    Had the CCC carb re-jetted to feed the 403.

    This morning had a new Flowmaster installed and the wagon hauls a$$ right now:yahoo:.

    Very happy, runs beautiful and smooth, nice positive shifting from the rebuilt tranny as well.

    At least i can get up the hills around here now without holding up traffic:yup:.
     
  6. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    Woo hoo! Dr. Olds nods approvingly!
     
  7. cammerjeff

    cammerjeff Longroofs Rule!

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    Yup the Shifty Doctor would give it a Big Thumbs UP!!!!!!
     
  8. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    "Shifty" doctor. That's a good one!
     
  9. elB

    elB Well-Known Member

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    I was hesitant to recommend this, but really it is a great idea if you can find someone who knows how to do it and make these carbs work\repair them.

    I bet that 403 makes it scoot along now! I found a '77 in the yard once with a 403, poor car had been rear ended.
     
  10. Bdsammies

    Bdsammies Well-Known Member

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    Yes, i agree but the CCC also controls the tranny lock up and a/c.
    Could have gone with a different carb but would have to rig a manual lock up switch in the wagon for the tranny, not o big fan of that:disagree:.
     
  11. Silvertwinkiehobo

    Silvertwinkiehobo "Everything that breaks starts with 'F.'"

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    You can do that or buy the stand-alone controller that handles TCC lockup.
     

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