350 Olds with a 5 speed?

[jonnyslick]

So when I eventually swap in an Olds 350 into my Cutty ... could I do a 5 speed swap at the same time? If so, what 5 speed has a bellhousing that would bolt up to the Olds 350?

I DO want/need to have the 5 speed when I do the swap, but I'd really like to run an Olds motor. If I can't find a 5 speed that will bolt up to the Olds, then I'll probably go with a Cheby 350.

Any suggestions to get a Olds 350 and 5 speed into my Cutty?

:?

 

[jonnyslick]

Well if I'm reading this correctly ... to adapt a Olds 350 to a Chevy manual transmission I'll be looking at a $400 adaptor plate! ouch ...

http://www.riley-auto.com/ADAPTERS.html

But ... if I go with Olds 350, at least it will still be Olds powered and I won't have to worry about any of the accessories and stuff.

What do you guys will be the best and most cost effective route?

Olds 350 with adaptor to run Chevy manual transmission

or

swap everything out to a Chevy 350 with manual trasmission.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I would probably do the Chevy engine as the savings in build cost would offset the cost of junkyard accessory drives. Plus, the used parts market is good for the Chevy, so you could cut some weight with aluminum heads to improve the weight distribution.

 

[smooth_358]

there's really no way past buying a bellhousing or adaptor from someone like mcleod. i have been holding out on buying the one i need because it is going to run me $415 bucks. I like the olds motor idea as its not the normal route that everyone chooses. Also most olds motors aren't drilled for a pilot bushing, so that would need to be done as well

 

[joe_padavano]

So when I eventually swap in an Olds 350 into my Cutty ... could I do a 5 speed swap at the same time? If so, what 5 speed has a bellhousing that would bolt up to the Olds 350?

I DO want/need to have the 5 speed when I do the swap, but I'd really like to run an Olds motor. If I can't find a 5 speed that will bolt up to the Olds, then I'll probably go with a Cheby 350.

Any suggestions to get a Olds 350 and 5 speed into my Cutty?

:?

First, the link you've provided appears to be an adapter for the early Olds motors (303, 324, 371, 394), not the 1964-up motors. Second, the Olds uses the same BOP bellhousing as any other non-Chevy GM motor. Just be careful of the location of the bump to clear the starter. Chevy/Buick use a RH starter, Olds and Pontiac use a LH starter.

Your biggest problem is finding a 5 speed that's strong enough. Even the "world class" T5 is only good for 350 ft-lbs or so. Depending on the state of your 350, you'll need some variation on a Tremec trans. Also, you ARE aware of the fact that most Olds cranks are not drilled for a pilot bearing, right? Unless you're starting with a manual trans crank, you'll either need to drill the crank or use a conversion bearing from one of the Olds specialty houses.

 

[jonnyslick]

^ thanks for the tips ... so going with a chevy motor / transmission setup sounds like it might be the most practical way to go then.

 

[joe_padavano]

^ thanks for the tips ... so going with a chevy motor / transmission setup sounds like it might be the most practical way to go then.

Well, practical in a boring, minivan kind of way.

Personally I'd keep the Olds motor. Even if you go SBC, you still have to find a trans that will survive the torque - otherwise, why bother? The SBC swap also requires all new everything - motor mounts, accessory brackets, starter, hoses, etc, etc. Certainly not impossible, but lots of chasing little parts.