LegalizeMary

Okay here goes...first off love the site been here surfing for a while...LOTS of great information. That being said...this is MY inparticular case and there is lots of things covering the exacts of what I'm about to do but my question lyes within a different set of "aspects". First off my information...My name is Keith I own a 88 Firebird 305 TBI with T5 tranny. The enginge is toast...guy before me obviously overheated it and it is tweaked a little on #1 and #8...(I go through plugs on those two lots faster and burn a lot of oil.. but that's beside the point I have a 400 SBC complete in a van that I bought it's got a brand new 650 holley and intake manifold. the guy who owned it before me was a preacher and his son "was a gm mechanic..." now I believe him..as I have no reason to not.. anyways..he said his son went through the engine and rebuilt it and then threw it in his 82 chevy van...it has a 4 speed tranny (w/granny obvious) anyways this is my "aspects" I have both of these and need to get the bird running as it is my daily driver...now with taxes coming I need to either rebuild the 305 ( which I do not want to do) or drop the 400 in the firebird.... I have read all the threads and am pretty mechanically advanced...I know that I can do all the things necessary to complete the task just want to know if u guys think I should do the same... i don't want a monster right now but would like to have that in the car eventually... do u think this a good time..I believe the preacer about the motor..and it was a MONSTER when it was on the road..found out later that they didn't even have the wire adjusted enough on TC to open secondarieson carb...so I know it is solid. Firebird needs a clutch anyhow so figure put in maybe centerforce..but what else...oh also plan on buying a kit from summit with dizzy and ig box and such.. do you think this is possibble with $1000 budget and Im doing all th ework ...oh yeah I know also that I need to get the AFPR prolly mallory unit..with vent back.. sorry so long but needed to ask a specific question...oh the motor I beleve is out of 78 caprice or such...preacher didn't know the block is a pretty orange right now...NOT>. not an orange fan..lol anyways thanx in advance for any response

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Welcome to thirdgen.org (although you've been signed up for a long time).

Is this 400 a big block or small block? They weren't putting 400's in Caprices by 1978.

If it's a small block, won't be too much trouble. Don't bother with a good clutch, it'll just kill the T5 sooner.

You'll need to do something with the flywheel - the truck piece probably won't work. 168-tooth flywheels don't fit in a T5 bellhousing. I believe you can get an external balance two-piece rear main seal for it (your '88 flywheel won't fit the 400 crank).

Chevy orange was never used for 3rd gens. But, I think orange and blue go well together. . .

I'd say go for it. There will be some hurdles, but it will be nice when you're done. Just no high-RPM clutch dumps or speed shifting, or you'll be riding the bicycle again.

A T56 wouldn't be a bad idea, but that just adds to the cost and complexity.

LegalizeMary

thanx for the info..not exactly sure but know it is a small block...going to get numbers off block today...itis sitting in my van right now...so u think I 'll need a flywheel?? can u suggest one...and what aboout starter?? as I said it is in one piece still in my van.. should I just go with a regular clutch disk?? and what about engine mounts?? should bolt right up right?? spent hours again last night searching the threads... hard to find the exact question though...seems you have to happen to it...lol .. Will get the numbers today and look them up to see exactly what motor I have.. had to look into old c10 vans to get parts so not sure what exact motor it is...but anyways this is going to happen very soon so thanx for the info...oh and it already has a 4 speed manual in the van right now if that brings anything new into the pic...believe it threw a weight..that is why it is sitting right now..heavy clang clang clang when in gearfeels like on the bellhousing..

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Summit lists http://store.summitracing.com/partde...C&autoview=sku and http://store.summitracing.com/partde...115&rsview=sku

You can use your 305 mounts and starter. Check to make sure the block is drilled for the proper bolts. If it isn't, it's best to have a machine shop precision drill and tap them.

LegalizeMary

thanx..dang that thing is pricey..lol hope I can get all this with my around 1000 dollar budget still need to get ignition kit...250, and afpr which Im not sure about...and miscellaneous nuts and bolts...another question will it fit under my stock hood
looks lilke a small intake...one last question..will I be able to use the headers that are on the 400 now?? will it clear?
Pretty sure they are stock from whatever vehicle it came out of

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Headers - probably not. Very few headers that fit in other chassis will fit a 3rd gen.

Carb and intake - no problem. You'll need a drop-base air cleaner, which almost all factory passenger car air cleaners are. Stock 400's had a 2 bbl carb, what's on it now?

Fuel pressure regulator - Mallory 4309 is pretty popular, $85. There's a Holley part, but I can't put my finger on it. Search the Carburetor forum, I know it's been mentioned there.

$250 sounds like a lot for a distributor. What were you thinking of getting?

LegalizeMary

okay stop the madnes...I finally got the out there and checked the block casting number...3970010...wait for it...BAM it's a 350...welll i'm elated and deflated at the same moment...but good for me cause of cost effectiveness....now with this new info can we reassess the situations...also the heads look really clean and almost aluminum ??? is that possibble ..where are the numbers for the head casting? sorry for the confusion.. gonna look for more numbers while we "reassess" lol



PS. wow this keeps getting better...after further review...it's not even a holly carb...it'a a remand qualdrajet..wow guys sorry guess I shoulda gotten numbers before..but the need or opportunity hasnt created itself till now...the twist gets deeper....lmao

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

3970010 - you'll still need a different flywheel, because that's 2-piece rear main seal. But a standard '83-'85 3rd gen flywheel like http://store.summitracing.com/partde...6&autoview=sku will do. Still need to check the starter mount holes.

Heads - take a magnet out there - is it attracted to the head? Yes, iron; no, aluminum. The casting # is under the valve cover.

LegalizeMary

okay they are iron heads...but really clean..lol..look like aluminum...or powder coat anyways...so that fly wheel..and was gonna get an ignition kit...with new dizzy vacuum advance, hot box and such, kinda relief..but when I pull engine what do I :look for to make sure he " ran through" the engine?

nitemare70

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like U are doing the same but opposite of me( I'll explain). U are going from a one piece rear main seal motor(305) to a 2 piece rear main seal(350). I am going from a two piece RMS (305) to a one piece RMS(350). I might be able to help U with U're budget. I have a flywheel (153 tooth) off my 305 along with the pressure plate and clutch. It will not firt my 350. U have a flywheel and parts I may can use. Pm me and we will see what can be done to help U're financial situation.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

I love it when a plan comes together!!

Sounds like things are working out, so don't forget to sell your fuel injection parts to a guy like me! Lots of us are looking for TBI setups with distributor, so don't be shy about posting them in the classifieds section!

Good luck on the swap.