merSSenary

Alright guys I have a 1991 Camaro RS with a 305/700r4. I have a chance to get a built 350 out of a 1972 El Camino SS. They tell me it's the original engine minus the tranny. Can it easily swap into my RS with minimal difficulty and bolt up to the 700r4? I also got a rear end out of a 1995 Z28 auto. Will that be sufficient enough? I'm tired of the insanely slow 305 I have now and want to upgrade. Is it really a good idea to put an engine that old into a 90's car? Thanks for the input.

SupplySgt.

Assuming how badly you want to put it in, you can get anything in that size range will fit, you just may have to work at it depending on how things go. It should bolt up fine to a 700r4. and the Z28 rear end should be enough as well. the wiring will be the fun part. that'll be the most difficult part by far.

c1989rs

its not to hard i did it a few yeats ago the hardest part is getting ur stall to lock but they make gadgets for that u will need only a few wires from the harness i cut what i didnt need a haynes manual will help with that

angel71rs

I helped my nephew put the original 350 out of my 71 in his 87 Z years ago. Problem 1: the dipstick hole being on the opposite side, so it was blocked by the exhaust manifold. Problem fixed when he went to headers. Headers also fixed one of the exhaust bolts not being able to be used due to bolt pattern on 71 heads IIRC.

Problem 2: TV cable hookup with new carb setup. Told him to get correct aftermarket bracket, so TV cable could be properly adjusted, not to drive it till then. He didn't listen, tried to mickey mouse original bracket, burned up the tranny. Problem fixed when he got right bracket... and paid $$$ to get tranny rebuilt.

Those are only issues I can remember, other than that, bolted right in.

Venomous360

Ditto on the TV cable thing with the 700r4 on carbed motor. I fried one doing that as well. Got right bracket got it adjusted didnt like how the car felt so swaped in a TH350 and went WOW were did that power come from.

If its a daily driver stick with a fuel injected motor, if its a weekend toy to burn up assphalt then go carbed get a TH350 or 400 and go have some fun.

As you can see I didnt much care for the bad fuel mileage of a carbed and went with a 4th Gen.

I had a 86 IROC with a built 355 on a 750 carb. Ran faster than my SS does now but you couldnt go very far on a tank of gas.

Kevin91Z

The '72 engine is a flat-tappet cam, so you'll need to buy special engine oil with the right additives so you dont wipe out a cam lobe.

Also, the '72 engine uses a 2-piece rear main seal to hold the crank, so you'll need the 2-piece seal type of flywheel. Your '91 engine is a one-piece seal and the flywheel will not bolt up.

I think its better to use a newer 1-piece, roller-cam engine, but its your choice.

86camaro383

you make it sound so hard. Just use 15/40 rotella, that actally is recommended for flat tappet cames, and then you have to buy a $35 flexplate.

Rice Killer87

From what I know, they dont put it in the Rotella anymore due to the newer diesels having cats on them and that stuff isnt good for them.

Keep the 700R4 since theres nothing wrong with it, no sense swapping to a Th350 if theres nothing wrong with the one you have.

Kevin is right, you'll need to buy a different flywheel.

You'll also need to buy a torque converter lock-up kit to keep the trans from burning up.

Venomous360

Trans cooler wouldnt be a bad Idea also. I for one think you get more rear wheel power out of the Turbo trans than the 700s but thats a debate for another day.