Hi guys I know alot of you guys upgraded your 350 and installed a 455. I own a original 71 GS350 with 4speed its 100% original and almost in mint condition. I am considering rebuliding the motor but for the same amount I could do a 455 instead. My question is what will I need to do to go from a 350 to 455. I already know I would have to go with big block front springs for the front end. I like to know what changes I need to do to my 4 speed trans in anyway, including clutch, bellhousing, flywheel? George
Gee, I''d like to see stay original.... But if you must, you'll need frame pads, BBB shroud & 7 blade fan, 455 air cleaner support bkt. I think the 4 speed stuff will work, though I'm not sure. You may need a diff yoke. o No:
455 swap George I contemplated this swap on a 71 350- 4 spd car myself, My car was stock and had a 10.5" clutch assy. From what I could gather the 455s use an 11" assy along with a different flywheel than the 350. This is along with the changes stated above. Theres a few older threads deep in the archives here that discuss what other have been through and they are helpful, good hunting
Completed my swap this spring. You will need the following: 1.) 455 Flywheel - T/A Performance ($280 ish) 2.) 11" clutch set-up (flywheel is drilled for both 11" & 10.4") 3.) BBB Z-Bar (350 linkage will work) 4.) Wiring harness is a little short (tight) if your is old replace with the 455 GS harness (year one) 5.) The existing driveshaft and yoke will work 6.) reuse the bellhousing and ball stud Not that hard to do this swap, tough part was standing on my head to mount the frame pads and headers. I think that the existing exaust would line up on the stock manifolds. Jim
I reused my SBB z-bar on my '70 when I converted. But I had to have it welded after it broke once (kinda surprises you when you go to push the clutch and you have no clutch). You might can resuse it but have it reinforced.