Drache
01-31-2003, 05:41 PM
I'm planning on swapping a 350 to a 430 and was wondering on how much work it is to swap the engine and the tranny.
View Full Version : Open Engine Surgery! Drache 01-31-2003, 05:41 PM I'm planning on swapping a 350 to a 430 and was wondering on how much work it is to swap the engine and the tranny. theoldguy 02-01-2003, 03:51 AM It all depends on what car you are putting it in. Some Buicks had the option of either engine, so it will just be a matter of finding the proper engine mounts, exhaust pipes, radiator, and wiring. If it was not available in your car, you may have to fabricate the items mentioned, or find out what fits where. ;) Drache 02-01-2003, 02:41 PM I want to put it into a '68 Skylark. Would that require a lot of work or should I just leave the 350 2-bbl in this car and try to power that up? theoldguy 02-02-2003, 09:42 AM The 68 GS had a 400, so if you order all the necessary pieces for the GS the engine will bolt in. TA Performance has the engine mounts ,and you can buy a complete mandrel bent exhaust from numerous sources. The radiator in your car could possibly be a three core, and if it is,will probably cool the 430. If you have a short shaft 400 on the 430 ,it eill fit,but you will need to move the cross member,and chop the drive shaft. Ifyour Buick has a TH350 turbohydramatic, you can use it as long as you do not continuosly beat on it. Drache 02-02-2003, 10:04 AM well the 430 comes with it's own tranny. I think I might just stay with the 350 for now and sell the engine to a friend of mine. I was thinknig about this cause I could get a 430 engine and tranny that was running last fall when it was removed for $150 canadian. DeuceNa1/4 02-02-2003, 01:05 PM what year is that 430? Drache 02-02-2003, 01:52 PM 67 or 68 I believe.... DeuceNa1/4 02-02-2003, 04:22 PM If it's a '67, then you will have a switch pitch THM 400. Take a look at the electrical connector on the drivers side of the transmission. If it has 2 pins/contacts it is a '67. 1 pin/contact it's a '68 or '69. There should be stamped into the block, between #2 and 4 spark plugs (passenger side of the engine block, on the flat surface where the head meets the block) some sort of ident code...IE: ND or MD, PD, RD, or something like it. As such, I would get the parts to mount that engine and trans in the car. You will be glad you did. Mostly, engine to frame mounts, engine mounts, and a THM 400 front yoke. You may have to shorten the driveshaft 1 inch. It is worth doing this swap. |