millerbn

I have a pre 1980 350 (dipstick on driver side) that I want to put in my 1989 RS. Can I use the serpentine drive alternator, PS pump and AC compressor from the original 305 TBI on the 350?

ljnowell

Yes you can use all of the accessories. Do you have headers? If not you could run into a problem with the oil dipstick

kevinc

Might want to check if the heads have all the accessory bolt holes they need.

millerbn

Both engines have all accessories on them now. I really can't tell without taking them off. I was just wondering if anyone has done something like this before and can give me some insight.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

It's been done a whole bunch of times by many different people.

As long as the engine is '69-later (and the majority of 350s are), it'll have the accessory holes.

However, the flexplate will be different. You'll want to look for a 153-tooth (12-3/4") as used on'83-'85 3rd gen V8's.

Also most "pre-80" 350s have horrible heads. So bad, in fact, that your 350 may not run any better than the 305 did. Oft discussed on this forum and the Tech/General Engine forum.

If you don't replace the TBI exhaust, you can almost be certain that the 350 won't run as well as it could. Oft discussed on this forum and the Exhaust forum.

ss400hp

I have a 87 camaro and I just got through installing a 70 model 406ci small block in it and I had no problems at all, everything bolted right up including all the accessories. You should be fine.

ljnowell

With the exception of the flywheel and the balencer, cause your 400 isnt going to use the same ones.

ss400hp

well yeah, but accessory wise everything bolts right up. I even used the factory distributor and coil. The only other difference is you have to use an aluminum radiator with a 400 because they run too hot but since he's just doing a 350 swap then everything will work just fine. That's the good part about chevy is the part interchange ability.

ljnowell

You can get by without the aluminum radiator, but your cooling system does have to be up to par, I agree.

ss400hp

I found out the hard way on that one, My car wouldn't cool at all, it ended up blowing the intake gasket and leaking coolant into the oil. I am in the process of putting new gaskets on it and installing my new Griffin aluminum radiator & TCI trans cooler. Did your car run warm with the 350 in it ljnowell?? Thats the only problem I ever had with the car..

ljnowell

Yeah it runs a little hotter. When I did the swap, I got a stock replacement V8 radiator, and a stock water pump. The only upgrade that I have is a 160 t-stat. But it maintains under 200. Not bad for a lumpy cam and high compression.

ss400hp

My 305 always ran warm, I knew the 406 would too but decided to see just how hot it would get, well, it got hot. I've been told that third gen f-bodies are bad about running warm, hopefully this aluminum radiator will help cure that problem. I got to change my heater core now too because it blew it out as well. Always something for me to spend money on!! The car has a big attitude with that huge motor in it, I love the power and torque and especially the cam. It hits a hard lick, what size cam are you running? I'm running a crane energizer 3/4 race 226 duration - 470 lift. It makes really good power, I'm guessing the 406 puts out somewhere around 350-375 horses and 400+ ft lbs. of torque, little under or over maybe but it's very powerful.

ljnowell

I am running a little more radical cam than the one you have in the 400. Its a single pattern 280/.480 (230 @ .050). It has a nice little thump to it too. The only thing holding me back is the gm iron heads, but they arent too bad. I am just saving up for some edelbrock aluminums. I'm not sure about the HP/TQ cause it has never seen a dyno. I know it tips the scales on my SOTP dyno, much better than the 2.8 I took out.

ss400hp

I would imagine so!! I bet it sounds awesome, I have the good large port 70 model 400 heads on mine with manley 2.02/1.60's, ported and polished, crane 1.5 roller rockers. They do pretty good but like you I'm saving up for some Performer RPM aluminum heads and I'm going to get them without the wife knowing!!!
On the bottom end I have Keith Black 30 over flat tops, Lunati forged steel alloy connecting rods, clevite bearings, moly rings, standard oil pump, and on top I have a performer RPM intake, street demon 750cfm carb, double roller timing set and some chrome add-ons. nothing special just a nice strong motor to go play with.

ljnowell

Ive always been an edelbrock guy, and it shows. Edelbrock intake and carb, flattop speedpro pistons (cast-I dont intend on any power adders) resized rods. Nothing too radical, but its fun to play with. Now if I could just figure out why I keep eating batteries, I'll be set.