I am an novice. I am swapping a 305 for a 350 in my 92 RS. The 350 is a late 70's early 80's. I have had a few problems, but managed to figure them out. I am fighting the starter situation. I had to order a special flywheel to fit my T5 bell housing. The new flywheel is 153 tooth. THe problem lies in the mounting of the starter. The bell housing has a 2 inch opening for the starter to fit in. The bolt pattern on the block for the starter is staggered. Apparently there are no normal starters that fit this application. I have been told just to drill the block to fit the starter that I was using. My questioon is ... Is there another solution? I am not comfortable drilling into this block. I know nothing about the inside of it. I bought it redone. It was bored 30 over, and all the goodies already installed inside. Will the starter I had on the 305 be strong enough to turn a 350? Any help or suggestions would be awesome!

 

Do I need to get a different Tranny?

 

The tranny will work. Both V8's are 90 degree. Same tranny is used for either.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku

I think this is the starter my brother uses. You should have 3 starter bolt holes on the block. Two parrall along the back and one along side the block slighty forward. This starter uses the back holes for two different sizes flywheel. That is why it has the two holes on each end on top. It also has extra holes in the mounting block so you can clock the starter for clearnce. A 305 and 350 starter are the same. All you need to do is make sure it is for the flywheel you use. (number of teeth)

 

Unfortunately, not all blocks came with three mounting holes. I have the staggered style, 168 tooth set-up in my 69 (1972 block), and it only has the two holes. If there isn't a third hole to mount the inline starter, I'm afraid the only option is to drill and tap a new one.

 

I thought it was the late 70s' to early 80's that would have all 3 holes. If in fact he only has 2 then they would be straight across and work with the 153 tooth flywheel.

 

I only have two holes, and they are staggared. I am basing my guess of the year on what the gearheads at O'Reilly's say. I other wise would have no clue. They were right in the flywheel I needed. The 350 had a much larger crank hole, and much larger outside diameter. Theflywheel I needed had to fit inside the bellhousing of my T5.(again I am assuming I know what I am talking about when it comes to the tranny. I believe it is a T5. If I am wrong go a head and correct me.) thus the 153 tooth flywheel, but had to be ordered due to the strange matchup. As far as them being straight across and whether there are two or three holes, There are only 2, and they are staggard. Am I screwed? Will the starter work even if I do drill it to fit. What are the risks of drilling to deep in that part of the motor? It is already mounted, and the tranny reconnected.

 

I can't see how the starter you linked me will work. It is a inline mount, and I can't see how the pinion gear will pop out far enough to engage the fly wheel. I am willing to give it a try though.

 

No you're not screwed, you're only half-screwed! You need to drill the extra hole in order to mountthe inline starter, which is what you need for that flywheel. It's not going to be as easy working on it under the car though. Here's a link that will help.
www.goodson.com/technical_support/instructions/SDJ-1.pdf

 

Question. You are swaping just the engine.
Your 305 had the manual? if yes
168 tooth flywheel? if yes
It had to small a center hole? if yes
Could you have taken it to a machine shop to open it up?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku
Look at this one and click on the aplication and see if it will work with what you have.

I just looked back at your first post. You had a 92 with the one piece rear main. A way different crank.

 

Mad Mike, I am only replacing the engine.The car originally had the 5 speed. The bell housing on the five speed didn't have enough clearance for a 168 tooth flywheel. It was originally 153. ANd yes I had to order it cuz there arent many made with 153 tooth, and large crank holes.