Check this out folks. Ive got a 1991 Camaro RS V6 with a 3.1 breathing its last breath. The good news is.... I've got a 1970ish 350 possibly from a Chevelle but currently in a 71 RallySport. Somebody say project? I've heard that only engines with center-bolt valve covers will work with third-gens whats that about?? Assuming the 350 works fine in this Camaro, Will this old block mate to a third-gens V8 700R4?? Is this the same bolt pattern? Will a V8 700R4 need a different torque arm? Another thing... I know Im gonna need a larger radiator, but hows the fan setup gonna be? considering the 350 uses a belt driven fan and third-gens use electric fans. Thats all I can think of for now... Anyone with any info?...id greatly appreciate it!

 

Same concept and any 6 to v8 swap. All "standard" SBC's share the same bolt pattern so they willl bolt up to a SBC trans. Nothing too dificult or really special about this swap. Good luck.

 

yep, the standard v6 to v8 swap.

you need to change everything from the tranny forward (including springs, mounts, radiator, etc.)

i used the stock electric fan and it works fine, stays at temp all day long. in is just a personal preferance really

good luck

 

What if i wanted to keep the electric fan... how do i hook it up to a switch so i can toggle it on and off at my leisure? The fan is probably the only electrical i want... next to spark. I just want gas and spark.

 

Whoever told you only center-botl valve cover engines work in a 3rd gen is a retard.

 

lol, but seriosly the only real difference you might run into with not having centerbolt valve covers is that if you were using tpi or a newer intake you would have to modify the center bolt holes for the intake to fit.

Ben

 

Well hes a mechanic in the industry for like 15 years and he did his own 89 Bird 2.8L to a 92 Z28 conversion. took everything from a wrecked Z. so i figured there was some validity. I guess he was referring to the TPI setup when it came to that.

 

i wired mine so it runs all the time the car is running. the fan iw wired to a relay right now...i remved mine and just wired it to a 12v source when the inginition is on. if you want a switch you just can splice in the power wire and mount it in the car. I dont have much factory wiring left so i cant tell you where to hook it really..sorry

 

Fans done. Am i going to have to redo the whole fuel line system?
And almost forgot! Exhaust manifolds. Ive got my Flows in that car and I want to keep the original piping. Will V8 exhaust manifolds hook up at the pipes of the V6?

 

A 350 will need a 3" single or 2.25" dual. A 305 uses a 2.5" single or a 2" dual. A six uses a 2" single. It's way too small. You'll be restricting too much power.

 

Someone who knows whats up. thanks!

 

This sounds like a decent baseline, but you cant just go by cubic inches. These sizes may work decent on a stock motor, but when you start getting into heavily modified they will need bigger. Actually even a stock to mildly modified 305 can benifit decently from a single 3" instead of 2.5. 2.5 is what was on the lower performance ones from the factory, but I believe even some of the higher output 305's got 2.75 from the factory. A more accurate way to judge the exhaust size you need would be by the amount of power you will be making not the cubic inches of it There is a chart on here somewhere, but I dont have it memorized.

Ben

 

Damn... didnt really think that an exhaust system could be so involved. I knew that it affects performance with the amount of airflow... and exhaust that is well exhausted from the combustion chamber, but man! I just wanted to know if it would hook up to my pipe in the meantime.... if the coupling from manifold to pipe was the same size but i guess not. I wanna hook up 91 camaro V8 manifolds to an old 74 sbc that should be cool right?

 

Yes, the manifolds will work on the older motor. You may have to get the y pipe also, or have one made though because I doubt that the manifolds connected in the exact same spot as the older ones. Also come to think of it the dipstick will not fit. I ran into this same problem. I used a older 350 (I think it was a 78 block, but had the same casting number that they had used since about 69). Anyway, the dipstick is on the other side of the motor and wont fit with the stock manifolds. You have to use headers for the dipstick to fit. I have heard that one or 2 people have been able to bend dipsticks to work and I tried, but it just broke the end off. I didnt have the stock dipstick so I was using a cheap chrome one so I dont know if you will be able to do it with a stock one. I heated it with a torch till it was glowing red and then tried to bend it and it bent some but then broke the end off. You are also in california right? If so I would check into your laws before the swap and see what you can get away with.

Ben

 

So your saying id have to use 1970 something manifolds as opposed to the 1991s? what if i use a 1991s oil pan? as far as smog goes... well lets just say ive got that covered.

 

No, you have to use f body manifolds. There arent really any others that will clear the crossmemer and body in a thirdgen. I was basically saying you will either have to find a way to modify the dipstick to work or get headers. I guess you could plug the dipstick hole, but that could be bad if you got an oil leak and couldnt tell how much oil was in it.

As far as the smog goes good for you. I am lucky enough to live in a place where I dont have to have that "covered". I love not having inspections.

Ben

 

Yeah I meant using oldschool fbody manifolds. not just any 1970s'... and do you know if it would do any good to use a thirdgen oil pan which has the left handed dip?

 

I doubt you could use the older manifolds. You could either get headers(hedman headers and y pipe are only a bit over 200), or you could modify your dipstick. I didnt have good luck trying that, but have heard of people that did. I dont believe the oil pans are interchangable between the old and new style so you woudl have to use the kind that came on the block. There is also one other thing that could work. I have heard it mentioned on the boards that there was a couple of old cars that actually had the dipstick insert into the oil pan directly instead of through the block so you could just plug the hole in the block and use one of these old oil pans. I dont remember what they cam on, but it seems like it might of been mentiond about them coming one chevy 307's but I am not sure. I dont know if this would work but it is something that may be worth looking into.

I would say that you would be best off just getting the headers because then you wouldnt have to pay to have a y pipe made to fit whatever manifolds you use. I dont think you will come out far ahead by using the manifold, plus you will get a bit of a power boost out of the headers.

Ben

 

So Id have to get headers designated for the older block or for would the newer gen camaro headers work as well?

 

The newer ones will work also. It is just the primaries clear the dipstick better than the log style manifolds. You would have to get them for a thirdgen.

Ben

 

Thanks for your help Ben, appreciate it... lots of info i couldnt even think of. Next thing i can think of is fuel lines. Throw out the old ones?... modify em? need brand new lines? (carbed 350)

 

EatFordShtDodge,

I couldn't help but notice your location says San Francisco. You may already know this, but before you do this swap understand that California emissions laws state that you cannot swap an older motor into a newer car. You say that the 350 is from a 70-71 car, you would need a 350 from a 91 car or newer if you want to do this legally.

Here's a good link to help you out:

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Che..._V-8_Smog.html

 

If you would have read the thread, you would have seen that he said that he had smog covered.

Ben

 

so much for that guy.... anyone have ideas? "Next thing i can think of is fuel lines. Throw out the old ones?... modify em? need brand new lines? (carbed 350)"

 

I think the center bolt valve cover confusion is a result of people thinking center bolt valve covers= Vortec heads, thus requiring a Vortec intake. I have some "081" casting heads from a 305 TPI that are most definitely NOT Vortec heads.

Eric

 

Thanks for the input... but thats no longer the issue.

Hey guys, make sure you read other peoples posts to make sure you dont repeat them...saves yourself the trouble.

 

I used a mallory return style pressure regulator and used the existing fuel lines.

 

can you elaborate...? where did you buy the regulator how is it setup...any info?

 

alrighty...

 

alright... decided to hold off on the 350 into the v6 for the moment... and am about to pickup a 86 Camaro Coupe with a 305... im keepin my 91 and using the 86 as a donor...

any suggestions on what little things i should pull of the 86?
you guys think i should bother droppin the v6 in the 86 and sellin it or shold part it out?