Okay, I'm just about done with the 394/slim jim. Time to start preparing for the inevitable, the SBC 350/TH350 insert. Anybody else done it? Tips n tricks?

No, I'm not spending a nickel more on trying to keep the heap going. Its my families more-door, so purists back away.

Also looking forward to the front end losing 300 lbs.

 

Using the factory driveshaft, a longtail th400 just barely makes it back to the firewall. If a th350 is even 1" shorter, it's going to make a difference. Otherwise a custom driveshaft has to be added to the tally.

 

Where you located I can set you up with just about everything you need to build a fresh 350

 

Nobodies done a swap?

 

I've done it on a 64 88. Just used a big piece of C channel iron for a crossmember and drilled new holes in the frame. I remember the slimjim yoke fitting the th400, but don't remember what we did for a driveshaft. We had a pile of 20 of them out back, and probably just used conversion u joints on something "close enough". It was probably 7 years ago, so i'm a little fuzzy on it. I also remember making custom engine mounts for the frame with the welder. The th350 is going to be really short. I believe we used a th400 with a 9" tailshaft.

 

Do you remember what manifolds/headers were used?

 

I believe they were from an olds 403. The type that the crossover pipe drops down in front of the starter solenoid with the crossover pipe under the pan.

 

not the 60's full sized manifolds with the center dump. The crossover pipe was too short, so we ran dual exhaust from each manifold, and made a block off plate for the crossover hole on the passenger side.

 

I didn't do the work on mine, but it has a 455 in it. I assume it has the long trans. if you need me to take any pictures of mounting, or whatever let me know.

 

I am talking SBC 350, not an olds 350, sorry guys.

 

 

You are probably gonna need something like sanderson cast iron headers or shorty header for a camaro.

 

How bad off is the 394? Might end up cheaper/easier to freshen it up and get an adapter to the transmisson of your choice.

http://transmissionadapters.com/Olds_install.htm

 

The 394 seems fine, 125 psi cold/dry compression test. Has a slight tick, tickier on first start up.

I love SBC, on stand in garage, beggin for a chance to make the olds rock.

Adapter? $1000! no way.