1986 Chevy Camaro 305-to-350 Swap

1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO
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FASTCAMARO86
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
i have a 86 camaro that has a 305 h.o. and i want to put a 350cid in it. but im not sure what would be the easiest way to take out the 305 with out messing anything up on the manual transmission. should i take off the bellhousing from the gear box or should i take out the whole trany with the motor? i want to do this the easiest way i can.
May 10, 2006 at 5:22 AM
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BURRBRIAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 158 POSTS
Personnely, myself I would pull tranny with motor and chage them over out of car. To me it's easier that way than trying to stab tranny when dropping motor back in, supporting tranny until getting it bolted back to motor.But you have to take loose shifter linkage, speedo cable and such to do it that way. Not a matter of right or wrong just your personnel preference. Study what you have to do eitheir way and then decide what you prefer. Happy wrenching :twisted:
May 10, 2006 at 6:39 AM
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Suggested Repair

Pull the manual transmission with the engine, disconnect the shifter linkage and speedometer cable, and swap the engines outside the car. Either method can work; choose based on access and preference.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1986 Camaro with a 305 H.O. and manual transmission wants the easiest way to install a 350 without damaging the transmission, and asks whether to separate the bellhousing or remove the transmission with the engine. The expert prefers removing the transmission with the engine and swapping them outside the car, after disconnecting the shifter linkage, speedometer cable, and related items, rather than aligning the transmission while lowering the engine. The choice is described as personal preference, not right or wrong.

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