I am swapping my 77 olds Cutlass S 260 with a fresh rebuilt 403 with edlebrock performer rpm manifold, roller rockers and timing chain etc.


The Cutlass-S has a Borg Warner T-50 5 speed. I know its not the strongest transmission but not looking to race just weekend cruiser etc. Does anyone know:


1) if I can take the flywheel off the 260 and use it on the 403?
2) I need a pilot bearing for the 403. How do I know what to order and where to order one from?


Thanks for any input you might have.

 

Same flywheel.

Henry

 

All Olds V8 manual trans flywheels and pilot bearings from 1968-1990 are the same. Pick a year and order one. Are you sure your 403 crank is drilled? Hopefully the trans will last past the end of the driveway.

 

Rumor has it all 403 cranks were drilled for the pilot bearing but I dont often believe rumors...

 

I have had three 403 engines & two more crankshafts from 403s. All were drilled for 4 speed. Odd since the 403 never was used with anything but an automatic.

 

Thanks for the backup to the rumor.

 

To be fair- all the 403 cranks I have seen have the "3 step deep drill" which may, OR MAY NOT, be entirely ready to accept a standard pilot bearing. But, at least the hole is there so even if you have to use the adaptermatic bearing thing, crank drilling won't be necessary.

Do you own test fits and mock assembly, as with anytime you are changing parts around.

Then, document it and give us all the skinny on making a MT fit onto a 403.

 

Thanks all. I'm just a guy with some tools and have pulled/swapped a few motors back when I was 16 or 17 in some Buick GS's and Camaro so don't have any mock equipment. I'll be the first to say I don't know as much as I should.....


When I pull the 260 and separate the tranny I should be able to see if both cranks look the same and see if the pilot bearing in the 260 looks the same for the 403 and then order one as Joe states.


One other question. Does the flywheel have to go on in any certain way? If I remember I've seen some that are balanced..... It seems as I should just be able to remove the 260 flywheel, install a new pilot bearing and the 260 flywheel on the 403 and should be all set.


I guess 2 more questions...
1) what torque should I bolt the flywheel bolts down to?
2) I have seen mixed opinions on whether or not to use red or blue loctite on the flywheel bolts... what are your thoughts on loctite?


Oh and weren't a lot of Transams from 77 to 79 built with olds 403s? I thought I remember seeing some with manual transmission as well.... I could be wrong.


Thanks again all for your input..

 

403 powered Pontiacs were all backed by automatic trans. Only the 400 Pontiac could be had with the 4 speed.