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Engine Swap Everything about swapping an engine into your Third Gen.....be it V6, V8, LTX/LSX, crate engine, etc. Pictures, questions, answers, and work logs.

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Old 11-10-2006, 09:25 PM   #1
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: West Liberty, KY
Posts: 164
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 355 vortec heads
Transmission: 700r4 Huges 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 4:10

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Need some help

My car is 1986 firebird with a 305 4bbl. I am currently building a 1977 350 4bolt main for a swap. I have vortec heads, 30 over pistons, new crank and rods, double roller timing chain, 1.5 rockers, and a crane 480/480 cam. My question is, is the 305 a two peice or one peice rear main seal and can I use the flex plate and balancer from my 305 on to my 350. The 77 is a two peice. Also can I use a standard 350 oil pan for the 77 block or will I have to buy a special one for the swap to make it fit in my 86? I did a search but realy didn't find what I was looking for to answer these questions. I plan on using my stock 700r4 for now. It was just rebuilt before I got the car and shifts realy hard. One of my uncles said it the best shifting 700r4 he has been in.
Thanks for the help.
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1986 Firebird 305 4bbl......as of 4-19-09 Cropper 355 in and the fun begins.
1996 Chevy 1500 4wd 230,000 miles.
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Old 11-14-2006, 06:49 PM   #2
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: West Liberty, KY
Posts: 164
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 355 vortec heads
Transmission: 700r4 Huges 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 4:10

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Any help would be great!!!
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Old 12-14-2006, 05:24 PM   #3
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: West Liberty, KY
Posts: 164
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 355 vortec heads
Transmission: 700r4 Huges 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 4:10

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I thought that some one have replied by now. I know this swap had been done and I don't want to go into it blind.
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Old 12-14-2006, 06:09 PM   #4
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,823
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
Transmission: TH-350/3500stall
Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction

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If your old 305 had center bolt style valve covers it may be a one piece rear main seal block. If it has the old style perimeter bolt valve covers its likely a 2 peice seal block.
The balancer and flex plate will swap onto the 350. Inspect it closely for cracks between the bolt holes and broken welds on the ring gear. this would be good time to invest in a affordable new thicker aftermarket flex plate and a new balancer from Professional Products or other such company.
www.professional-products.com
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Old 12-14-2006, 06:10 PM   #5
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Location: Littleton, CO USA
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Car: 82 Berlinetta(2)/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1 (LS1)/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E (T56)/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 10B 3.73(9" 4.11)/8.2" 4.11

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Sorry, somehow this one got by me.

The '86 engine is a one-piece rear main seal. So, you will need a 153-tooth 2-piece rear main seal flexplate. I've seen good new ones for around $25.

The '86 damper (it's not acutally a "balancer") probably isn't a good idea for 2 reasons: 1) It's a 305 damper, and 2) the '86 timing tab is at 12 o'clock and the '77 is most likely in the 2 o'clock position. Better to go out and get a 350 damper.

A '77 350 4-bolt probably came out of a truck. Since the dipstick will be on the driver's side, the '86 pan won't fit. Whether the stock '77 pan fits in the 3rd gen, the answer should be "yes", but there are possible variables that can't be known simply by saying "77 350 4-bolt". As long as the basic shape is the same as your stock pan, you should be okay. The point where it starts dipping down to the sump is the key factor.
----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by F-BIRD'88 View Post
If your old 305 had center bolt style valve covers it may be a one piece rear main seal block. If it has the old style perimeter bolt valve covers its likely a 2 peice seal block.
'86 was a "bastard" year. They were perimeter bolt valve cover, flat tappet cam, one-piece rear main seal.

Last edited by five7kid; 12-14-2006 at 06:11 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old 12-17-2006, 08:54 PM   #6
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: West Liberty, KY
Posts: 164
Car: 86 Firebird
Engine: 355 vortec heads
Transmission: 700r4 Huges 2500 stall
Axle/Gears: 4:10

Classifieds Rating: (0)
Thanks guys for the help. About how much will a new dampner for the 350 cost? Thanks again.
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Old 12-17-2006, 08:54 PM
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