Motor
#2
03-07-2010, 10:14 PM
If it's an Olds block it's not a bolt in deal and would require an Olds tranny or bell housing.
If it's a Chevy block it should bolt right in.
Oldsmobile and Pontiac both used Chevy engines in some cars in the 1970's but you saying ''Rocket" leads me to believe it's an Olds.
Some of the Pontiac Trans Ams used Olds 403 big blocks in them about that era,you could use the Trans am motor mounts and an Olds/Pontiac trans in your Camaro to fit the Rocket engine most likely.
There will probably be some other fitment issues like headers,the driveline and maybe the radiator and what not.
If it's a Chevy block it should bolt right in.
Oldsmobile and Pontiac both used Chevy engines in some cars in the 1970's but you saying ''Rocket" leads me to believe it's an Olds.
Some of the Pontiac Trans Ams used Olds 403 big blocks in them about that era,you could use the Trans am motor mounts and an Olds/Pontiac trans in your Camaro to fit the Rocket engine most likely.
There will probably be some other fitment issues like headers,the driveline and maybe the radiator and what not.
Last edited by Y2K; 03-07-2010 at 10:20 PM.
#4
03-08-2010, 10:22 PM
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The 'Burbs of Chicago
Posts: 18,306
I would trade for the 400. The 355 is a tank of an engine (big & wide), and it would be a ***** of a fit. The tranny you have probably won't fit the 400, unless it's one of the universal bolt pattern bellhousings.
#6
03-09-2010, 06:21 AM
I had an 81 turbo trans am that I bought with a 355 rocket in it. They had blown the turbos twice and decided to put in a bigger v8, it had the 301 turbo. It was an olds 355 rocket. I think it had a 350 turbo tanny but I'm not sure. I dont know what they went through to put it in. I bought it off a car lot in 1989 and was at a country club working and a guy came up and said "hey thats my old car" and he told me the story. It would scream off the line but ran out of rpms early. It would peg out easy but the top speed would probably have been 120 just guessing. Lots of torque though. I would go for the 400 though. They are torque monsters and have a huge aftermarket.
Last edited by jjz28; 03-09-2010 at 06:22 AM. Reason: changed
#7
03-09-2010, 10:09 AM
I'm assuming C69 means the Olds tranny,if you have a Chevy trans it'll bolt right up but you will need an externally balanced special flywheel/flexplate for the 400 small block.
Any other sbc will use the standard flywheel but the 400 is balanced differently.
That said I'd go for the 400 Chevy over that Olds all day long.
#8
03-09-2010, 12:58 PM
I'd go with the SBC 400 everyday and twice on Sunday....that's just me!
However if the 355 Olds engine is in good working order and you really want to use I'm sure most of the parts (motor mounts, intake, headers ect.) from a 1977 to 1979 Firebird equipped with the 403 Olds will work in a Camaro. I believe the 350 Olds and 403 Olds are the same engine family.
However if the 355 Olds engine is in good working order and you really want to use I'm sure most of the parts (motor mounts, intake, headers ect.) from a 1977 to 1979 Firebird equipped with the 403 Olds will work in a Camaro. I believe the 350 Olds and 403 Olds are the same engine family.
