th 350 tranny build up

[LemansProject]

i will be swapping out my 326 in my lemans for a 400 out of my friends vette. so of course i want to build up the trans. i have never done this before, anyone have any advice on where to start?

[Icelander]

Um... Does your friend have a Pontiac 400 in his Vette?

If it's a SB Chevy 400, you're going to have quite a bit of work ahead of you getting that engine transplanted.

The TH350 that is mated to that 326 has the Buick/Olds/Pontiac (BOP) bolt pattern and will not bolt to the SBC.
The fuel pump is on the opposite side of the engine so you'll have to plumb that over
You will have to build or buy conversion motor mounts as the ones that are on your frame rail are different from Chevy's.

It's a pretty big hassle to convert but it can be done. You might consider selling the SBC 400 and using the money to pick up a Pontiac engine. I know for a fact that you'll enjoy the higher torque from it than you would the SBC.

Sorry to rain on your parade. Feel free to post any and all questions you need answered. These guys here are really knowledgeable and helpful. Bring that old car down to the club meeting on the first Saturday of the month and let us take a look at her!

Kendall

[LemansProject]

well im glad i didnt get into it too far. i have always owned chevy's and i forgot that pontiac like's to be different. i will just continue to look for a pontiac block as per my original plans. thanks for the reminder though. as soon as i get some things taken care of with the car, and my current financial situation i do plan on coming to a meeting. but at this point i dont know when that will be.

[GPModJ]

Ehem... Pontiac likes to be "better."

[Icelander]

:)

GPModJ,
Don't worry! He's still got a lot of Chevy Orange in his blood. Soon the retro-virus will be converting that to Pontiac Blue...

:)

LeMans,

We look forward to seeing you and that LeMans of yours.
You might want to give old PontiacShack (Stef) a holler as he's always digging up another Poncho of some sort. Stef's a real straight dealing guy and managed to help me get my old clunker back on the road.

If you're looking for something specific, give us all a shout. Most likely, someone has seen it somewhere in Washington State and can point you in the right direction.

Kendall

[Goatnut]

Assuming that you may still want to go with the Chev 400, there are T350 transmissions that have both BOP and Chevy bolt patterns that will directly bolt to either engine. Or, you could build a chevy bolt pattern T350. In either case it is a relatively simple conversion that would not require much more than a pair of motor mount perches from a chevelle or El camino.

The down side is that it will take the club about 10 years or so to forgive you!

Scott (Only 6 more years on the shit list)

[LemansProject]

actuallly i prefer to stay poncho all the way through myself. but when i was talkin about buildinga 400 as i pay my way through school he told me he vette engine was just sitting around. he said it was mine if i wanted it.

[Goatnut]

Well...pick it up for me and I'll trade you for 700ci of pontiac motors that I have!!

Scott (Two 350's and not enough Pontiacs)

[LemansProject]

I have 1965 gto tripower. the tripower would bolt straight up to it? and would i need another timing chain cover?

and back to the question about the tranny... can anyone suggest good place to take it to get it built up to handle 500 hp? this is my first project car so i havent really dug into a transmission yet. i will leave it to the pro's this time. thanks for everyones help.

Goatnut: i am thinkin if he sells it to me cheap like he said he would i will probably just stay with it. but if i dont swap it in, you'll be the first to know.