good morning to all i have 2 olds, a 1965 starfire and a 1987 CUSTOM CRUISER that i really love. it is my daily driver that is just about to get a transplant to a 1971 350 from a cutlass, this where all the questions will come from, such as computer carb, dist, compatability etc., i understand this is probabily one of the easier swaps {i hope} anyone chime in any time for points recomedations or just good sense. thanks fisker
fisker to the forum. I can encourage you, tease you, compliment you, but I can't share any good sense. When you have time please add some for us to look at.
hello again, thanks for the welcome mat from members, trying to get the 350 in order and try to do the install within the next week or so, going to pull the intake to see what kind of crud is in there today and pan. will pull the rod caps and use plastic gauge to check them, how many .000 should i look for and is this the best way? anything i should watch out for on the bottom end? fisker
The Cutlass 350 should drop right in, with no issues at all. I would be tempted, if emissions testing is not an issue, to convert the 71 to electronic ignition, and keep everything else bone stock. The reason I say it should be easy is that you are replacing an Oldsmobile small block with an Oldsmobile small block. If the Cutlass engine is running right, I would not touch much with it. A good tune up, fresh oil and filter, pcv valve and filter, and what ever other maintenance items you can think of. These engines are pretty durable as built, and if looked after, years don't really matter. It is wear and use that count. A high mileage engine that was always used on the highway, and has always had careful maintenance, should last an amazing number of miles with minimal wear. It is short run city use that is hard on the internals, as there is a very short spell of dry run at each start as the pump builds oil pressure. About 90% of engine wear occurs during that few seconds.
thanks, engine has 73000 miles, what about spark plugs? is there a better plug for the 350? the gap is a question, 30 or 35 ive heard both. i will use the ccc carb and dist. last but not least, 20 or 22 degrees on timing? thanks guys