350 - Buick or Chevy?

[Utah Blaine]

My Buick 1979 Chassis Service Manual shows the 350 ci engine with the distributor in the rear. I am told that is because it's a Chevy engine. Is that true? My manual also says the only difference between the 305 and the 350 is the bore. Same block means same motor mounts too, right? I'm asking because I want to put a 1979 Lesabre 350 in my 1979 Regal and have my TH350 transmission bolt right up. I would like to be able to buy all the Chevy small block goodies for the top-end of the engine also. I would also like to know how you start a new paragraph on this thing and be able to sign at the end! Utah

[Bob]

Yes, you are on the right track as far as you motor goes.

I am not sure why you are having a problem with paragraphs, this one is done in the enter button on the keyboard.

If you want to use a signature, you will find that in your "Settings" options in the left column.

[Utah Blaine]

Thanks, I was hoping that was correct. The Lesabre engine is probably a 2 bolt main. Could it take 6000 rpm if rebuilt with some new parts? My enter key isn't working here. Maybe my keyboard is broken, I don't know. I just wanted to sign my name Utah. Utah lol

[Bob]

I don't see why it wouldn't, I would recommend balancing it. You can find yourself a 4 bolt sbc block in any pickup. I would suggest start with one of them for a performance engine.

[Utah Blaine]

I'm drawing a blank on the sbc block. Would it make a difference when using my transmission? SBC, you lost me.

[bob k. mando]

SBC, you lost me.


sbc == small block chevy
bbc == big block chevy
sbb == small block buick
bbb == big block buick
sbo == small block Olds
bbo == big block olds
poncho == pretty much all Pontiacs are the same size externally except for very small runs in the 70s of some short deck, small displacement engines



My manual also says the only difference between the 305 and the 350 is the bore.


IF they are both SBCs, yes.

keep in mind, the SBB, SBO and Pontiac are all completely different animals and could be had in many Buick cars during this time frame.

IF the engine is original to the car, the specific type should be coded in the VIN for 1979.



My Buick 1979 Chassis Service Manual shows the 350 ci engine with the distributor in the rear. I am told that is because it's a Chevy engine.

uh, not necessarily. the only GM engines with the distributor at the front are the newer Buick and Cadillac families.

distro at the rear could be Chevy, Olds or Poncho, all of which were options in the late 70s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_...2.80.931985.29


go here to verify what family GM engine you have
http://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_eng_visual.php



and have my TH350 transmission bolt right up.

IF the Le Sabre engine is connected to a 200-r4, you should take the engine and trans together. that extra OD gear will really make you happy. and you won't have any interconnecting problems.


go here to ID trans and bell housings
http://www.teambuick.com/forums/show...nsmission-bell

[Utah Blaine]

Let me explain what is going on here. I have a 1979 Buick Regal with a 231 turbo in it. For me to get the performance I want out of it will cost a chunk of $'s. I saw that one of the factory options for the 79 Regal was the 305. When I discovered that the 305 and 350 were the same engine I had a flash. Why not get a 350 out of a 1979 Buick Lasabre and drop it in the Regal. When I found out the 350 was a Chevy it just got better. Now when I rebuild the lower end I can put aftermarket heads, cam and intake on it. The top-kit I was thinking of will produce around 400 hp with the same torque. That's why I ask about the 2 bolt main. I want everything to bolt up to my th350 transmission. If you are familiar with the Regal you know how the rear suspension is set up. The car seems to be made for what I want.

[bob k. mando]

I have a 1979 Buick Regal with a 231 turbo in it.


that's a 90* v6 based on the Buick small block. it uses the BOP ( ie - NOT Chevy ) pattern bell housing.

on the plus side, i think it will have a 200r4 behind it already. and, so far as i know, all of the 200r4 transmissions have dual pattern bells that will attach to Chevy or BOP engines.


I want everything to bolt up to my th350 transmission.

oh, you've id'd it as a TH350 already? a TH350 may have a dual pattern bell, but most didn't.


The car seems to be made for what I want.


the Regal / Grand National has long been a notorious racing car. the 'Grand National' moniker was adopted due to the Buick body aero success in NASCAR in the early 80s.

the mid-80s turbo GNs were notorious for kicking the *** of the Corvettes of the day at the strip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeZQs1oi5cs


here's a page for the older turbo cars:
http://www.beforeblack.net/racing.htm

here's one of the major forums for the t-6 cars:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/