I'm Bubba and I have a problem

[Steven C.]

I picked up most of an engine at Daytona this weekend ($100), and I want to finish putting it together for cheap. The engine will be for my '74 el cheapo project. I also got a turbo 400 trans.

I got a 305 short block; the pistons, bores, crank, cam all look fine. It turns fine, seems tight. I got a pair of heads off that same engine, the springs and valves look good. I also got a 4-bbl non-egr intake, and an oil pan.

At home I have 2-3 each of '68-72 Olds/Buick 350 motors (cores).

Here are some of the questions:
1. Lifters: Most of the lifters were still in the block and appear fine. 1 is missing, and 2 had "collapsed". Are either/both of the buick or olds lifters the same?
2. Pushrods: I need all 16, are either/both of the buick or olds pushrods the same?
3. Head bolts: I need all, are either/both of the buick or olds the same?
4. Rockers: I need all, are either/both buick or olds the same?
5. Flywheel: I need one, are either/both of the buick or olds the same (all auto trans)?
6. Oil pan: The vendor showed me that the oil pan was sort of "stepped" as it transitioned to the sump, will this work in a '74 vette frame, or do I need a corvette-specific oil pan?

I know that even if there is mechanical interchange, many people would never consider such a thing; and I already know that many people would never consider used lifters, head bolts, pushrods or rockers...but I'd love to try and make this motor come together with "parts on hand".

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Pat M.]

Re: I'm Bubba and I have a problem

Hi Steve. I'm sure the incredibly knowledgeable people on this site will answer your questions shortly. Unfortunately I don't qualify.
I responded because your "I'm Bubba" title caught my eye. I've frequently thought of starting a thread entitled "In Defense of Bubba". While most of us usually strive to do things correctly, there are just some times in our hectic lives when a quick Bubba fix is just right.
Lord knows I've been a closet Bubba more than several times, even if I retreated later and did the repair correctly when I had more time.
So good luck to you from one Bubba to another!

[Steven C.]

Re: I'm Bubba and I have a problem

Thanks, Pat!

I have a '69 BB that I try to keep Bubba away from. I also have a '74 with Bubba's imprint on it.

This is for another '74, that will get all of the castoffs from the "good" cars. I don't want to spend much money on this extreme project, and $20 here and there adds up quick.

Most curious about interhcange, and also whether I need a Corvette oil pan or if other SB oil pans will fit in the frame.

Steve

[Chuck S.]

Re: I'm Bubba and I have a problem

Sounds like you got a bargain on a jig-saw puzzle without the box top and reference picture.

Some Olds engine parts starting late seventies will probably work because some of those engines are small block Chevies. There was a famous law suit about owners that discovered they had Chevy engines in their Oldsmobiles...Idiots; they had better engines and didn't know it.

I bought an 80 Cutlass and ordered the slightly larger displacement "Olds School" engine instead of the SBC they were also offering. That was a big mistake...that "Rocket" was one dog of an engine. It got terrible gas mileage and had design technology dating back to 1949. That engine still had a "rope" rear main seal, while the SBC had used elastomer lip seals for decades. Crankcase moisture would condense on the oil fill cap and make RUST (PCV system??!!)...I had never seen that before.

I couldn't wait to get rid of that vehicle...I took a big hit on the trade-in to buy a Toyota. RIP, Merry Oldsmobile...Buick, watch your six.

[Steven C.]

Re: I'm Bubba and I have a problem

Thanks, Chuck.

My Olds and Buick motors are late 60's-early 70's, definitely not SB chevy motors.

I thought there might be some interchange, however.

Steve

[William C.]

Re: I'm Bubba and I have a problem

Chevrolet 283-302-305-327-350 "bits" of the type you are looking for will interchange, but not the engines made by the other GM divisions. As for the pan, the only answer is "Maybe" depending on the depth of the drop in the front section and the length of the small section. Might want to bolt the pan on a bare block and do a test fit, as there were many variations, and some will-some won't fit a Corvette.