Olds 350 manual trans swap

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TURNA

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Jul 24, 2009
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Crank needs to be drilled or find a factory 4 speed crank

Looks like the ball stud hole is there and tapped
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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Since you are rebuilding the motor, get the machine shop to drill it while there. I am sure someone knows the depth and diameter. Probably pickup the bushing for them to fit.
 
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buick7332

Master Mechanic
Oct 21, 2014
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Guys, I'm bringing this thread back up because I'm in the same boat. I'm doing a 4 speed conversion on my 78 Olds Cutlass Aeroback, and don't know enough about it. I need to make sure I'm on the right track.

Main concerns - Crankshaft drilled for pilot bushing.
- Block drilled for bell crank.
The original poster has an Olds 350 that typically came with an automatic. My car will have a 403, which many were installed in Trans Ams, with a manual transmission. So can you guys confirm that I do, or do not, have these provisions from the pics below?
View attachment 108508
View attachment 108509
If my block & crank are good to go, I have a " needs " list. This list may, or may not, be complete. This is where I need help also...
- Borg Warner T10 4 speed manual transmision
- Shifter & linkage
- GBody specific BOP bell housing
- GBody specific clutch fork https://www.4speedconversions.com/14007356-r1.html
- GBody specific manual steering column
- GBody specific clutch pedal assembly
- GBody specific frame bracket
- GBody specific Z bar
- Olds 403 flywheel
- Clutch ( 10.5" ) ??
- Pressure plate
- Throw out bearing
- Clutch linkage https://cmc.speeddirect.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=7130-125&eq=&Tp=
- Manual transmission hump http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=272645084244
- Bell crank
- Pilot bushing

Can you 4 speed guys check this list for me? I appreciate it. Looking forward to having a manual in one of my GBody's :giggle:
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I did a 4-speed conversion in a Pontiac. I had a issue with the pilot bearing not fitting snug in the crank. The solution I came up with was a .002 feeler gauge leaf cut in thin strips to completely wrap the bearing and tap it in with a wood mallet. Made it nice and snug
 
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Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
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May 22, 2011
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I've got a BOP bell housing I'd sell..
 

Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
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Spring, Texas
James,

For the steering column, I bought an S10 floor shift (manual) steering column. I will combine parts from it with my original column shift column to build/reproduce a G-body manual column. With you being so resourceful, I won't be surprised if you find an actual G Body manual column. That would work well for you since it will be set up for your car with the wiper switch on the dash.

I have a tilt automatic floor shift G Body column as well. I was going to use it and was just going to immobilize the collar. I bought the S10 column because I decided I wanted the authenticity of having the key release.

On the clutch linkage, consider getting the rods with spherical ends....
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.php/special-products/rod-links
 
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gnvair

Royal Smart Person
Sep 1, 2018
1,098
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Southern New Jersey near Philly
They never made a manual transmission 403. The 77-79 Trans Ams with the 403 were all automatics. The 4 speed cars had Pontiac 400's. Guys either drill the cranks or use a Olds 350 crank that is already drilled for the pilot.
 
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gnvair

Royal Smart Person
Sep 1, 2018
1,098
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Southern New Jersey near Philly
I would say a flywheel from a small block Oldsmobile such as a 260 or 350 would work. The other thing I would be concerned with is to make sure you use the 78-81 specific A body bell housing with the lowered pivot stud.
 

JAMCAR223

Royal Smart Person
Jun 6, 2014
1,853
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Houston, TX.
Crank needs to be drilled or find a factory 4 speed crank

Looks like the ball stud hole is there and tapped
Good, and not so good... but it's what I needed to know.
Since you are rebuilding the motor, get the machine shop to drill it while there. I am sure someone knows the depth and diameter. Probably pickup the bushing for them to fit.
Sounds like the thing to do... get the bushing, then have machine shop drill the 403 crank to match the OD and depth.
I did a 4-speed conversion in a Pontiac. I had a issue with the pilot bearing not fitting snug in the crank. The solution I came up with was a .002 feeler gauge leaf cut in thin strips to completely wrap the bearing and tap it in with a wood mallet. Made it nice and snug
Hopefulyl I can avoid this, but your solution was pretty creative.
I've got a BOP bell housing I'd sell..
How much? Thanks for the potential contribution to this project.
James,

For the steering column, I bought an S10 floor shift (manual) steering column. I will combine parts from it with my original column shift column to build/reproduce a G-body manual column. With you being so resourceful, I won't be surprised if you find an actual G Body manual column. That would work well for you since it will be set up for your car with the wiper switch on the dash.

I have a tilt automatic floor shift G Body column as well. I was going to use it and was just going to immobilize the collar. I bought the S10 column because I decided I wanted the authenticity of having the key release.

On the clutch linkage, consider getting the rods with spherical ends....
https://www.speeddirect.com/index.php/special-products/rod-links

Another creative solution you have there, using the S10 manual column. I have a NOS S10 manual column w/ tilt, that I have been saving to install in my S10, but with a functional non-tilt column already in the truck, I haven't done the swap yet. I have already sourced the correct '78 GBody manual column, but have not received it in the mail yet. I have already bookmarked the Speed Direct site, and added the parts to my list of conversion parts needed for this swap.

They never made a manual transmission 403. The 77-79 Trans Ams with the 403 were all automatics. The 4 speed cars had Pontiac 400's. Guys either drill the cranks or use a Olds 350 crank that is already drilled for the pilot.
Great info. This is what I needed to know. Can you point me to the correct pilot bushing? I'd like to know OD and depth, and if it's specific to a T10 transmission.
Pretty sure a 403 flywheel is a unicorn, but any SBO, 67 and up should fit.
I'm beginning to believe you're correct. I'm thinking my best option is to buy a SBO 350 flywheel. I would like a confirmation if anyone knows FOR SURE.
I would say a flywheel from a small block Oldsmobile such as a 260 or 350 would work. The other thing I would be concerned with is to make sure you use the 78-81 specific A body bell housing with the lowered pivot stud.
As stated above^^^ I would like a confirmation on the 350 flywheel, before I buy one... Streetbu ^^^ has offered to sell his bell housing, so waiting on his response/price.

Thanks to all of you who replied to my questions. I knew I could count on you guys, and it's very much appreciated. I have (1) more question... The frame bracket... I have no idea what it looks like, or how it's mounted. Does anybody have any pics of this? Does anybody have a lead on where to find it? I will put up a WANTED thread, but I need to know what it looks like, and how much I should be willing to pay for it. THANK YOU GUYS!!!
 
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JAMCAR223

Royal Smart Person
Jun 6, 2014
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