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1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

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Old 04-19-2014, 12:50 PM
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1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Hi all,
Friend of mine went through some troubles lately with the original engine out of his 86 camaro. He found a complete 76' engine for a good deal. I told him it should work perfect because he already has a 2 piece crank in his original engine. Also, the heads have the correct accessory bolt holes.

Other than that am I missing something that would make this not work?

Figured I'd ask the experts first.

Thanks
Old 04-19-2014, 12:53 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Just a flex plate for a 82-85 two piece rear main
Old 04-19-2014, 12:56 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

The only other difference is the 76 block will have a drivers side dipstick instead of a passenger side. If you are already running headers it is not a problem but the stock manifolds will not work with a drivers side dipstick or so they say.
Old 04-19-2014, 05:45 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Thanks for the info. His flexplate is original so it should work fine.

Eric- would you be able to switch oil pans to solve the dipstick issue? from what I remember, the dipstick is in the block on the drivers side and the oil pan on the passenger side right?

Thanks for bringing it up.
Old 04-19-2014, 06:28 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Originally Posted by Keoman
would you be able to switch oil pans to solve the dipstick issue? from what I remember, the dipstick is in the block on the drivers side and the oil pan on the passenger side right?
Dipstick fits into the block in either case ;
the boss for the dipstick tube is higher up on the block on the 2 pcs engines

]
Old 04-19-2014, 08:19 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Thanks Vetteoz!
I'll let him know.
Old 04-19-2014, 08:52 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

The 1986 came with a 1 piece rear main seal. at least mine did
Old 04-19-2014, 10:05 PM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Mine did too.
Old 04-20-2014, 09:15 AM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

Left hand dipstick can be run with the stock manifolds but will require some grinding on the back of the manifolds and a little flattening of the dipstick tube.
Old 04-20-2014, 09:30 AM
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Re: 1976 block in a 1986 camaro?

ok first off, 86 didn't come with a 2 piece seal, double check to make sure that is what it really is, easy way to check remove lower flexplate shield and see if you can see an aluminum adapter at rear of oil pan, if its there its a one piece seal so if he puts in a 76 engine, the flex plate of the original 86 engine's flex plate will NOT work due to the difference in the rear of the crankshaft. the 2 piece cranks are way different from the newer one piece cranks. if you didn't know that already. he will need an older flexplate or if he is using a manual trans a different flywheel.

when it comes to oil pans they are different as well you can not use an 86 oil pan on a 76 block, the rear of the pan is much different due to the larger rear crank for the one piece seal.

you may already know this, just putting it out there JIC you dont
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