I am on the hunt for a Buick 350 engine. My 75's 350 bit the dust and I need to put something in there. I am at contemplating crazy conversions stage. My wallet is not fat at the moment.
I went through a similar search to replace my v6 with a 350. Options for low budget are limited, unless you have a lot of time. I didn't since mine is a daily driver and needed it on the road quickly. I also didn't want to end up spending more than I paid for the car to swap motors. You can find pulled 350s for not very much in various conditions, 150-500 was the range I found without shipping. They all required a pretty thorough rebuild before being a runner. For that reason and also that I don't have a garage I decided to stick with what I have and rebuild what I could. Anything under 1000 bucks you'll certainly have to do a lot of work yourself. The th350 mounts up to pontiac and oldsmobile engines from that generation with no modification, so those are also options. Buick 455 will be a painless swap as well, if you want to build one. Another option is to go back in time a bit and consider a 430, which will also bolt in. Things will need tinkering to adapt but nothing major. I was moments away from buying a rebuilt 430 with performance upgrades for 1300 delivered. Not having a garage is what stopped me. I didn't want to pay to have it installed
This one was at Blacks Auto in southern NM but I would guess that is miles and miles from you. The car is gone, ('73 Le Sabre) I pulled the motor before a Derby transporter picked up the car The yard may still have it.
If you need one ready to run, I can't help. But if you need a rebuildable engine, There is a local yard on the NC/SC border than most likely would have SEVERAL available. The old man NEVER gets rid of anything. Most of the older stuff is to the right, in the trees. Remember that the head and intake design changed in about 1973!!! https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6562082,-79.5246396,1521m/data=!3m1!1e3
Don’t no if you have found a buick 350 yet I have a 350 that started as a nos gm short block that was manufactured from 1972 to 1980 had it taken apart and check the bearings the mains and rod bearings were in very good shape but I had the machine shop replace the cam bearings and cook the block put new frost plugs in also the heads are off a 74-75 that I had gone through new valve springs they are set up for 69 had some of the pollution holes plugged has new cam and lifters oil pump timing cover timing gears only time on the motor is for cam brake in never put it in my car 1800.00 plus shipping I don’t no what that would be
Don't go by the pic, but here's a 340 for $200. But it's Upton, Mass https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/573026529913621/
Hello Chris! I have 2 Buick 350's...one is 220hp 69 and the other is a Real GS 285hp 69. Both need rebuilding but I will let them go for cheap. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
