One of my sons is interested in buying a 72 Ventura (basically a Nova) with a SBC 350 in it. Is this a simple swap? What all had to be changed? Just the motor mounts? Just curious if it is a simple swap or something major. Also I am assuming that a disk brake set change over for a Nova will fit on this. Correct? Thanks for any help. RichF.
Question on SBC 350 in Pontiac
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Joined
·
5,501 Posts
I'm going to assume the same things would carry over to the '72 as were required for my '66.
If it has a BOP TH350 trans in it still like mine, it should have an adapter between the block and trans.You will also have an adapter installed on the snout of the torque converter to make up for the thickness of the adapter plate.
Part # 0055 and part # 0060 shown here.
http://www.tdperformance.com/products/?id=3382
If you're lucky they swapped in the chevy TH350 at the same time eliminating the need for the above adapters.
You also might have part# 9596 shown here.
http://www.tdperformance.com/products/?id=3286
When I bought my car it didn't have the adapter plate and the trans was attached with 2 bolts and the alignment dowels.
I'm in the process of removing the BOP TH350 and replacing it with a Chev version. The BOP had been working just fine until I managed to crack the case.
And yes I believe the brakes parts will work.
If it has a BOP TH350 trans in it still like mine, it should have an adapter between the block and trans.You will also have an adapter installed on the snout of the torque converter to make up for the thickness of the adapter plate.
Part # 0055 and part # 0060 shown here.
http://www.tdperformance.com/products/?id=3382
If you're lucky they swapped in the chevy TH350 at the same time eliminating the need for the above adapters.
You also might have part# 9596 shown here.
http://www.tdperformance.com/products/?id=3286
When I bought my car it didn't have the adapter plate and the trans was attached with 2 bolts and the alignment dowels.
I'm in the process of removing the BOP TH350 and replacing it with a Chev version. The BOP had been working just fine until I managed to crack the case.
And yes I believe the brakes parts will work.
Joined
·
5,501 Posts
I found that same thing with the Buick site. Once they see I have a Chevy 350 the only advise you get from them is to replace it with a Buick engine.
:noway::noway::noway: Right on that one, I didn't install a 455H.O. in my ChevelleDon't ever mention to a Pontiac guy that you are installing a Chebby, they don't know how to say Chevy, engine in a Pontiac. :noway:
James
Thanks for the replys. After a little research it seems as though the 71 Venturas came with Chevy 307's or Chevy 350's from the factory. Never knew that. So maybe 72's did also. My son has been watching adds for the Ventura and all of them he has looked into have the Chevy small block installed. I was wondering what was involved in changing it over to see if they had to make major changes to the car. I guess it is kind of like a 71 or 72 GMC Sprint. Pretty much a rebadged El Camino. And yes I agree keep a Pontiac a Pontiac. The Ventura is pretty cool ( if you like Novas).
Joined
·
4,781 Posts
i like the little ventura's, they are just different enough to catch people's attention. you ought to try and find a decent shaker hood, really set that thing off. http://classiccars.com/Uploads/Preview/420172.jpg
Joined
·
5,159 Posts
I put a 455 in my '74 Ventura, with a th350 trans in it. It took a little work but it fit and fit very well. It ran like a scalded dog too. :thumbsup:
Joined
·
4,781 Posts
Ventura II production ran from 1971 to 1977. The "II" suffix was dropped after 1972, and the Phoenix name replaced Ventura in 1978. Engine offerings for the abbreviated 1971 model year included a GM engines 250 cubic-inch six cylinder or GM engines 307 cubic-inch V8 or the GM engines 350 (Sprint Package) all Chevrolet powerplants. For 1972, a Pontiac-built 350 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetor was added to the option list and became the base V8 for 1973 and 1974. Transmission offerings consisted of a standard column-shift three-speed manual with options including a four-speed manual, two-speed automatic (with six-cylinder) or three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic (with V8s). The 1973 six-cylinder Ventura was the last Pontiac model to offer the two-speed automatic, a badge-engineered Chevrolet Powerglide, which was dropped completely from all GM cars and trucks after this model year in favor of the Turbo Hydra-Matic.
A Ventura Sprint option package was offered on two-door models 1971 to 1975, including three-speed transmission with floor shift and optional GM engines 350 equipped four-speed, body color mirrors, custom carpeting, all-vinyl upholstery with either the standard bench or optional Strato bucket seats, Custom Sport steering wheel, blackout-grille trim, special striping, blackout grille, and 14x6" (36 cm diameter, 15 cm wide) wheels.
In mid-1972, Pontiac introduced the limited production Ventura SD for the Southern California market as sort of a sporty-luxury compact to counter imported luxury sedans then taking the U.S. market by storm. The SD option added the high-back Strato bucket seats from the Firebird along with a Custom Sport steering wheel, Rally II wheels, uprated suspension and other items. Some 250 Ventura SD's were built for 1972, all at the GM Nova/Ventura assembly plant in Van Nuys, California plant.
A Ventura Sprint option package was offered on two-door models 1971 to 1975, including three-speed transmission with floor shift and optional GM engines 350 equipped four-speed, body color mirrors, custom carpeting, all-vinyl upholstery with either the standard bench or optional Strato bucket seats, Custom Sport steering wheel, blackout-grille trim, special striping, blackout grille, and 14x6" (36 cm diameter, 15 cm wide) wheels.
In mid-1972, Pontiac introduced the limited production Ventura SD for the Southern California market as sort of a sporty-luxury compact to counter imported luxury sedans then taking the U.S. market by storm. The SD option added the high-back Strato bucket seats from the Firebird along with a Custom Sport steering wheel, Rally II wheels, uprated suspension and other items. Some 250 Ventura SD's were built for 1972, all at the GM Nova/Ventura assembly plant in Van Nuys, California plant.
A scalded dog with a case of the liver taint?
No , not trying to modify it or change it to a Pontiac motor. My son is just going to look at one today after work. I was wondering if it was something that had been "butchered " to accommodate a 350 Chevy. My apologies to all the talented people who do change motors out there and are able to make a Cadillac Northstar fit into a Chevette. I am not that talented and would try to steer him away from something like that. Sounds like it was a pretty easy thing to change over to a 350 SBC since it is pretty much a Nova and possibly might be like that from the factory. I love old Chevys because they are so easy to work on and maintain. Seems like you can go to 7-11 and pick up valve cover gaskets for them. (ha ha ) I enjoy keeping it simple, Unlike my older son who wants to figure out how to put dual turbo chargers on his 70 Monte Carlo. I like to put a nice Edelbrock intake and carb on a 350 and go cruisin, not try to figure out why the whole thing is shaking due to some error in the set up of a completely different motor , trans and drive shaft that weren't lined up correctly during the swap. But that's just me. Thanks, always good advice and info here. RichF.
Joined
·
6,858 Posts
Rich, A 68-74 Chevy Nova, Pont. Ventura, Olds Omega are basically the same car with different nose's and tails.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
