64 Special V6 225 swap to V8 300

[BuickBird]

I may have made a bad assumption. I have a 64 Special with the 225 V6 odd fire that I'm not happy with, especially after adding factory air. So I bought and had rebuilt a 65 LeSabre 300 that I thought would drop right in since the 300 was an option for 64. However, no mater how I jiggle and tilt the 300 engine and transmission (original Super Turbine 300), it gets locked in by the heads at the firewall and the pan at the engine cross member.


Anyone ever made this swap? Should it fit or do I need to modify the cross member, remove the pan...? Any thoughts or experiences very much appreciated?

[bob k. mando]

as i understand it, the 225 is the 300 with the front two cylinders knocked off.

have you tried mounting the trans from the bottom and dropping the engine in from the top by itself? i take it the 225 came out with the trans attached just fine?

the 1966 chassis manual will have directions for both the v6 and the 300 / 340 / 401 / 425.

https://www.teambuick.com/reference/...ssis/index.php

[Dr. Frankenbuick]

I know the suspension linkage is different between the LeSabre and A-body (Skylark, Special) cars in those years. The A-body has the suspension in front of the cross-member and the LeSabre has some suspension components behind the cross-member. The 401 engine has two oil pans in these years for that reason: a rear sump for the A-body and a mid sump for the bigger cars (wildcat, Electra, Riviera). The leSabre uses a shortened big car platform in those years. I can not remember if the 300 and 340 have two pans for the same reason when used between the LeSabre and A-body, but that could be the reason you are hitting the cross-member. Below is a side view of 300 engine for a A-body. Compare your oil pan to the one on that car. If thy are different, we have found your problem.

[65specialconvert]

I know the suspension linkage is different between the LeSabre and A-body (Skylark, Special) cars in those years. The A-body has the suspension in front of the cross-member and the LeSabre has some suspension components behind the cross-member. The 401 engine has two oil pans in these years for that reason: a rear sump for the A-body and a mid sump for the bigger cars (wildcat, Electra, Riviera). The leSabre uses a shortened big car platform in those years. I can not remember if the 300 and 340 have two pans for the same reason when used between the LeSabre and A-body, but that could be the reason you are hitting the cross-member. Below is a side view of 300 engine for a A-body. Compare your oil pan to the one on that car. If thy are different, we have found your problem.

That's my motor Steve posted. It's actually a 67 340 ( from a Le Sabre) with 300 rocker covers.It's in my '65 Special.But,your swap should bolt right in,you just need to get the angle of the dangle correct & drop her in.