Cascade Crew

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:44 am Post subject: T-5 to 70s 350

Alright so I've been reading about this swap and finding out that it isn't as easy as I originally thought. The main problem I'm coming across is the starter problem. I'm reading that I have to drill a third hole in the block to accomadate the starter that works with the 153 tooth flywheel. To be quite honest I'm a little scared to just start drilling holes in my block as I don't want it to end up being scrap metal. So do you guys think that the T5 swap is worth the trouble or should I just keep it an auto? I mean I really want the T5 but not at the cost of losing a bunch of money to a broken block.

Alphius · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:47 am Post subject:

My T5 is bolted up to a 1972 truck block with the 153 tooth starter.

Most blocks 62 and newer are already set up for either starter style.
Here is a good example of the difference:
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/171683/

The biggest thing is that you need to make sure you have a flywheel for a 2-piece rear main seal block. That would be any T5 153 tooth flywheel from '85 or earlier. Or you can buy one at a parts store.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject: TGO

Really? Seems like everybody on TGO is whining about how the starter doesn't work without drilling holes.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:52 pm Post subject:

TGO is dumb.

I wrote a whole post about TH350 LOL.

Duh.

If you've already got a car with the V8 and T5 then all you need to do is: Put the 70's era 350 in, install pilot bearing for '86 and older stick thirdgen, get a 153 tooth 2piece rear main flywheel (see other post, I have one cheap). Your starter will transfer over just fine, I promise you. UNLESS you've got something non-factory going on like someone put a 168tooth flywheel in. In that case it will not work.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:57 pm Post subject:

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject:

Alright ill take your word for it. How much is the flywheel you're selling?

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:15 pm Post subject:

I was running a '70 010 350 block with this flywheel, a t5 bell housing setup, and a t56. I used a stock manual trans from 84-92 starter. It died and I got a starter from a fourth gen lt1 (smaller and gear reduction, worked awesome.)

You have your 350 engine right? Go look at the starter pad. If it has 3 bolts it's machined for both 153 tooth and 168 tooth starters. If it's only got 2 holes it will fit one or the other. If the bolts are perpendicular to the crankshaft it's 168 tooth. If they are forward and rear and staggered, they are for 153 tooth starters.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject:

So if its for 168 tooth what do I do?

Alphius · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:07 pm Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject:

I thought the true cutoff was 87. All '87s and on had 1 piece. 86 was the split year, but when you look up parts, it'll lead towards the 2piece....

chevymad · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject:

I have a 305 from an 86 Z28.. it's non roller but 1 piece rear seal . Pretty much oddball.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject:

I stand corrected! Been led awry all these years. LOL

chevymad · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:46 pm Post subject:

I put a crate in for a guy and kept this thing.. no idea why. LOL John has the 416s on his car now.

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: TGO

Alphius · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:32 pm Post subject:

I think very few of the '86 blocks were 2 piece RMS.

Brandon, almost every '86 F-Body motor should be non-roller and 1-piece RMS. Wink

'87 was the first year for roller motors.

chevymad · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:42 pm Post subject:

As I said.. oddball. 85 would be 2 piece non roller.. 87 would be 1 piece roller motor.. so that makes the 86 the only one that is 1piece non roller.. At least in a fbody.

Alphius · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:53 pm Post subject: