Guest Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 Hello,<P>I have a '86 Regal limited that is in very good shape and have been thinking about restoring it, and maybe a motor swap. A few concerns I have are regarding the trans (to keep or replace ) and second which motor would fit the best with minimal costs. The car has a 307 in right now, and not sure which trans. How can I verify which trans is in it? My preliminary dream would be to put a Buick 455 in it and keep the trans. I had the trans rebuilt a couple of years ago my "AAmco Transmissions" and yes it did not last long. The original problem was loss of reverse, now when the trans is cold ( at start up) I have to wait about 3-4 min or it just spins and I go nowhere. Also, after highway speeds, the trans won't down shift out of overdrive until I come to a stop. Is there something seriously wrong with this trans?? Or is it just a matter of adjustments.I have no clue as to why this would happen and I want to get some advice before I take it in again. I am hoping that it can be salvaged and the 455 will bolt on to it. I know that a lot of people might recommend a stronger trans with a 455, but I am not going to be drag'n or anything, just want to be able to chirp the tires once in a while..( i guess i am getting old haha). Anyway any comments or advice would be very helpfull. I am not planning on doing this until maybe late fall, but I want to start getting informed as much as possible.<P>Thanks...<P>Matt<BR>BCA# 34544<BR>1955 Century 4-door Riv<BR>1986 Regal Limited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elk93001 Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 If you have overdrive, you have the 200-4r. This is a variant of transmission that's in the GN. This transmission can be beefed up to handle gobs of torque and hp. Art Carr performance is a name that rings in my head as a specialist in this transmission. I have heard horror stories about AAMCO on other boards, I would look for an independent tranny specialist in your area (check with parts stores, friends, family members etc.). Besides, if they didn't do it right the first time, why bother with them again? <BR>As for the engine, usually I try to stick with what came from the factory ("emissions wise", this is something to consider.) The 455 has a BOP trans-bolt pattern and should bolt in front of the tranny (you're in luck, the 307 you have is an Olds block). <BR>Whatever you do, don't say "SBC" transplant <p>[This message has been edited by elk93001 (edited 02-14-2001).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 Thanks!<BR>Yea, i guess emissions was going to be another concern, but do you think I can get any "get'up&go" from the olds 307? I have to say the engine has been great to me, owned it for 11 years now,105,000 miles and it has never failed me. No smoke or tick, just nothing behind the accelerator. Let me know what you think...<P>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 My girlfriend had the exact same car. At about 116k, all hell broke loose. Every electronic and emission device seemed to puke out all at once. The car was getting 10 mpg, had no power, and the throttle stuck. I even had a GM tech helping me, but everytime I checked or fixed something, there was another problem. I can't begin to explain the hate I have for the 307. Especially after the oil light came on and it started knocking. After trying to sell it for two months at $500, an otherwise nice car, I decided to reserected. I got a Buick 350 for free, with a couple problems, tore it down, and installed it. Unfortunately it now pours out antifreeze, so I now have to tear it apart again. I think the 350 is still the best way to go though. The 455 is a tighter fit, and if you don't need that much power not worth the trouble. The 350 is a torque monster, It would be a great improvement over the 307, despite the problems I've had. I can give you info on how to swap it in too.<P><P>------------------<BR>-Keith<P>'87 Lesabre T-type<P>'86 Regal w/350 (still in progress)<P><A HREF="http://members.nbci.com/lesabrettype/index.html" TARGET=_blank>The Lesabre T-type Page</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 Sure!.. please send any info you have to mokatz3@aol.com<P>Thanks!<BR>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 14, 2001 Share Posted February 14, 2001 elk... i forgot to say i would NEVER do the sbc, I like my BUICK!.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elk93001 Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 As for the Olds route: Mondello performance is well known for Oldsmobile performance (if your looking to stay with this as a base, that's your call). I am more familiar with the 3.8 and Pontiac 301s in these cars. I agree that the 350 Buick is a hell of a torque monster and if TKeith has done the swap, I'd be interested in hearing about it as well. Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 15, 2001 Share Posted February 15, 2001 Thanks Elk....<P>Can you give me contact info for Mondello? I am thinking that the 307 or buick 350 will do just fine for my needs. It would be really neat if I could keep the 307, but add a little muscle to it(if thats possible).<P>Keith,...let me know how your swap is coming. ie, exhausts,emissions,electrical harness....<P>Thanks!<BR>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2001 Share Posted February 16, 2001 Here is the mondello info including the link to the 307 giant killer areticle.<P> <A HREF="http://www.mondellotwister.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.mondellotwister.com/</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.mondellotwister.com/giant_killer.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.mondellotwister.com/giant_killer.html</A> <P><P>------------------<BR>Lee C.<BR>81 Electra Park Ave (350 original)<BR>83 Electra Park Ave (307 that wont die) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2001 Share Posted February 16, 2001 Wow..Thanks a lot! I am hooked on Mondello. Does anybody know how much it would cost to get my engine there? That is the only bummer..I am in Chicagoland, not exactly close to Mondello. How would I even go about shipping an engine? <P>Thanks so much everybody....now I just have to convince by better half... <P>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2001 Share Posted February 19, 2001 Well here's some info on the Buick swap, if anyone's still interested:<P>I swapped the 350 into a 307 car, but a V6 car would be much easier. <P>-The tranny WILL bolt up, no problem. And there really are no clearance problems, because the 350 is actually a smaller engine than the 307. It is wider though, so there's not a lot of extra room width-wise.<P>-Make sure to use V6 engine mounts. The bottom half of the 307 mounts look like they will work, but the sit to low, and you can't get the bolts in.(The other problem I'm having right now.)<P>-Get all the accesories from the 350, or at least the brackets.<P>-The power steering lines are different, but I think V6 ones would work.<P>-Since the Buick has the starter and alternator on opposite sides, both sets of cables will have to be lengthened. Again, not nessasary with the V6. <P>That's just about it. As for the power distance: I have a 1980 engine.(the last year) The 350 is rated at about 15 more hp and 25 more lb-ft of torque. And as an added bonus the Buick engine also wieghs alot less. I drove both the 307 Regal, and the car the 350 came from, a big Electra Park avenue. Even with the big weight disadvantage, the 350 felt faster. Of course the output can be increased easily, especially since the 80 engine has only 8:1 pistons. Returning the 350 to 1970 specs would get you 285hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. <P><P>------------------<BR>-Keith<P>'87 Lesabre T-type<P>'86 Regal w/350 (still in progress)<P><A HREF="http://members.nbci.com/lesabrettype/index.html" TARGET=_blank>The Lesabre T-type Page</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 19, 2001 Share Posted February 19, 2001 Thanks for the info Keith, I did a little crawling around under the car to look at the trans and I noticed that it is a 350, judging by the shape of the trans pan. Does anybody know what the differences are between the 200-4r and the 350? I am hoping that a Buick 350 engine will work with this, otherwise I am just going to tear down the 307.<P>Thanks again...<P>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 You should have a 200R4, not a 350. If you have overdrive it's a 200. Either way the tranny will bolt up, since Olds and Buick use the same bolt patten.<BR><P>------------------<BR>-Keith<P>'87 Lesabre T-type<P>'86 Regal w/350 (still in progress)<P><A HREF="http://members.nbci.com/lesabrettype/index.html" TARGET=_blank>The Lesabre T-type Page</A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 2dr.ltd Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 It seems to me that the money and time you would spend converting to a 350 of unknown condition would put that 307 in pretty nice roadworthy condition.That Mondello artical impressed me.Just remember any increase in compression increases you gas bill by 15-20 cents per gallon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elk93001 Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 In general Buick Olds Pontiac engines (BOP) use the same bolt pattern on the bellhousing, therefore your TH350 from a Olds 307 will bolt to a Buick 350. Engine mounts on the frame will be different. As for the difference between the TH 350 and the 200 4R, the 200 4R has OD the TH 350 does not.<P>There are some locations at gn-ttype.org in the tech articles section. Here is a link to a pictorial guide and misc info : <A HREF="http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/pictureguides/tranny/thm200vs350.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/pictureguides/tranny/thm200vs350.html</A> <BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 I guess I was wrong about the overdrive,would it indicate over drive on the gear selector? I just assumed that it would have it, but the trans pan is square shaped with the one corner slanted like the 350. <P>I think after the reality check, and the possiblities for a 307 that I did not know about,I am just going to keep this 307. I have had it for a long time and it has been great. I really appreciate all the help from everybody, this has been a big help! <P>If anybody knows of a reputable trans expert in the chicagoland area....please let me know, I don't want to get ripped off again! <P>Thanks again!<BR>Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 Good Luck on your project. Please let us know how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2001 Share Posted February 21, 2001 yeah, sounds like you got a th350. the 200 and 200-4r have odd shaped pans. the 350 is a stout setup, should live behind most things you put in front of it, if you rebuild it <P>i am a junk-yard scrounger myself, so i would try to get my hands on a 403 olds in working order, drop it in untouched, and wait for something to fail, then rebuild that part, and so on. the olds motor will look like the 307, and help you pass smog by not setting off any warning bells in the tester's mind.<P>i did that with my poncho, started out as a 350, is now a 400, but you cant tell from the outside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scott mich bca # 6619 Posted February 25, 2001 Share Posted February 25, 2001 Matt,<P>Tom Kasper Sr is the expert in the Chicagoland area. You can reach him at 847-622-9225. A-1 Transmissions, Elgin,IL. <P>He does a lot of work for the Chicagoland chapter and is semi-retired. He only works on the older stuff now, as his son runs the shop durring the week as he works on the new stuff.<P>Scott Mich NGBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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