The 301 is a good motor, but as mentioned, it tends to be a dog.

My wife and I also have a 79 TA with the 301 and 3 speed automatic. I think it puts out 165 HP. It'* definitely not a speed demon, but gets the job done.

On the engine stand is the 455 Pontiac for the swap.

Yeah, I called the seller and it'* got the 267, my mistake! I reeeally don't know much about these older bonnevilles. Thanks for the advice though, I'll certainly be pasting pictures all over the place if I buy it!

Yeah, keep in mind that although it'* a big engine, this is right after Nader put all those emission regulations on all cars, so it'* gonna be a dog to drive for sure. Also, don't expect to get good gas mileage. If I were you I'd look for at least an 87+, but that'* just my opinion. Good luck with the car search, and sorry we didn't see you this week!

Yes, they are dogs. All the auto makers in the mid 70'* dumped compression ratios down to the 8'* with big chambers and dished pistons, put in economy cams, then saddled the cars with poor emissions controls that truly sucked the life outta the motor'* potential. The HP wars didn't come back until the late 80'*. I don't know what is available for this motor in terms of better heads, induction, and cams. It'* probably pricey if it is available at all.

If I were the owner of such a car, and liked it well enough to want to drive it a lot, I would budget a replacement motor into the equation...or live with the dog until something broke and I needed to do something about it. It'* legal, even in California, to upgrade the entire driveline to a newer model. So think what an early 80'* Bonnie would run like with a late 80'* TPI 350 in it...or a mid 90'* LT1...heck, even a TBI 350 from a late 80'* C/K pickup would about double the HP output and be cheaper than overhauling the existing motor.

Yes, go to you're local junkyard and find a 94-96 Impala, Caprice, Roadmaster, Camaro, and Firebird and get the engine. The Lt-1 lays in all of the listed. Find one in good shape and you're golden.