301 swap

[cwat320]

OK, I know this has to be in here somewhere, but I couldn't find it. Swapping a 301 non-turbo out of a '81 T/A for a 400 from a '79. Anyone know of any problems I'm looking at?

[Morley]

The biggest hurdle would be engine mounts. The 301 is the only "smallblock" Pontiac ever made, al the rest of their engines are the size of a Chevy big block.

[cwat320]

So just drill the frame and bolt in new mounts? Also any problems with length of the drive shaft?

[Morley]

Originally Posted by cwat320

So just drill the frame and bolt in new mounts? Also any problems with length of the drive shaft?

you shouldn't have to drill the frame, the holes for the other mounts should be there already. You'll need to get the mounts that bolt to the engine and to the frame. The transmission will bolt right up and the driveshaft should be fine.

[cwat320]

Thanks for all the help. Another question, will the accesories and brackets from an olds 403 work with pontiac or would I need to get new brackets. Still trying to figure out which engine to go with. Was gonna go with pontiac but an olds is handy and I know that it was an option some years...

[Morley]

Originally Posted by cwat320

Thanks for all the help. Another question, will the accesories and brackets from an olds 403 work with pontiac or would I need to get new brackets. Still trying to figure out which engine to go with. Was gonna go with pontiac but an olds is handy and I know that it was an option some years...

I am not for sure but I'd think they would work, They may need a little modifying...but it all depends on the heads on that 400. Weather they have the mounting bosses or not. The bosses tended to change as the years progressed.

[cwat320]

They are 6x heads. I don't think any work was been done to them other than having the valves lapped...

[cwat320]

Sorry, but I have another question. What about the wiring harness? will it need much modification or does most of it change over? Thanks...