68 camaro
 

Hi my dad is rebuilding a 68 camaro ss
and it used to have a 350 in it with a manual and he is putting a 454 in it with a automatic trans
and we are putting the 454 in and we are trying to use the old 350 transmission bracket and it
isn't working the bracket it is not low enough for the trans to fit between it and the housing
what should we do?
will we have to buy a trans brace for a 454 automatic trans?
thanks

RE: 68 camaro
 

I'm not quite following what isn't fitting between what?
Did you change the motor mount frame brackets too? They are different between small and big block applications.
Is your clearance problem between the trans and the tunnel? If so, it's because the engine is sitting too high with the small block engine mounts (if that's what you still have).
For reference, years ago I converted a different 69 Camaro from automatic to 4 speed, and the same trans crossmember worked just fine.

RE: 68 camaro
 

thanks
we have new motor mounts for the 454
yes that is the problem it is too tight between the transmission bracket and the tunnel

RE: 68 camaro
 

Something I didn't ask, what auto trans are you putting in? With your clearance problem, I'm gonna guess it's a T400? The 400 uses adifferent crossmember than the T350and manual trans does.

RE: 68 camaro
 

im not exactly sure
see the engine was built too test torque converters and the trans was also bulit too go with it
it says j7 on it
and all i know is it is a 3 speed

RE: 68 camaro
 

Knowing what trans you have is kinda important. The shape of the pan will tell what you have. Take a look at yours, then look here:
Chevy Auto Trans ID

RE: 68 camaro
 

thanks I will look at it tommrorow

RE: 68 camaro
 

alright so we figured out a trans is a th350 or a th375b
so and we can't find motor mounts for a 454 just for like the small blocks
and do we also need to interchange the engine frame brackets
because we have the small block frame brackets
and the motor mounts we have we went to oirellys and the said these are 454 motor mounts
but the trans is too tight between it and the old cross member ?