Big Block Olds into 1978 Delta 88 Holiday coupe

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Old July 8th, 2020, 06:49 AM
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Big Block Olds into 1978 Delta 88 Holiday coupe

My Delta did come with a 350 trans. , will be replacing with a 400 trans ….

Any suggestions on a good aftermarket floor shifter that fits without a lot of modifications ? currently has the factory shifter - plastic very cheap I've broken it in the past - car has factory center console...

THX




Was looking for info as to what is required to replace My 403 ( spun bearing ) car came with a 350 Turbo tranny … I have a 455 and 400 Turbo trans . I know I'll need new trans crossmember ( for dual exhaust ) a list of parts required for this swap would be great ….

Thanks

Last edited by jskorz; July 12th, 2020 at 01:53 PM. Reason: added comments
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Old July 8th, 2020, 08:39 AM
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Use the original motor mounts for the 403, which should be Anchor 2328s. You need a TH400/2004R crossmember. Use the W/Z manifolds. You MIGHT have a clearance problem with the HVAC box - the 1977-later valve covers are slightly smaller than the early valve covers if that helps.
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Old July 8th, 2020, 11:16 AM
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pretty easy swap,you will have to extend the front a/c compressor bracket and a spacer between the p/s bracket and alternator bracket due to increased height/width of big block and what joe mentioned.a little surprised if your car came with 403 it didnt come with th400 trans.those cars are even better with a bigblock
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Old July 8th, 2020, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jcdynamic88
pretty easy swap,you will have to extend the front a/c compressor bracket and a spacer between the p/s bracket and alternator bracket due to increased height/width of big block and what joe mentioned.a little surprised if your car came with 403 it didnt come with th400 trans.those cars are even better with a bigblock
Surprisingly, the 403s only got the TH400 in the wagons and Ninety Eights. The lighter D88s used the TH350.

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Old July 8th, 2020, 12:52 PM
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Jim,
My Delta has the 403 and the TH350 set-up even though it was ordered with the trailer towing equipment and 3.23 gears.
Phil
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Old July 8th, 2020, 07:13 PM
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phil you've got a very unusual and cool delta for sure,funny thing back when i was converting diesel cars to gas weekly i would frequently find good running olds engines in rusty banged up cutlass,deltas or whatever and i bought a 78 delta for the engine only to find a 403 in there and i always thought someone probably swapped it in there,never thinking it was born that way.when i first drove the car i thought it had unusual power for one of those.
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Old July 9th, 2020, 07:21 AM
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Thx for the input guys
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Old July 12th, 2020, 01:49 PM
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My Delta did come with a 350 trans. , will be replacing with a 400 trans ….

Any suggestions on a good aftermarket floor shifter that fits without a lot of modifications ? currently has the factory shifter - plastic very cheap I've broken it in the past - car has factory center console...

THX
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Old July 12th, 2020, 02:36 PM
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A Hurst Dual Gate shifter out of a 1979 Hurst/Olds would certainly look great in that console. They're a lot more durable than the stock shifters. It would definitely be a conversation piece at any car show you'd go to. I'd consider it myself but my 1978 Delta 88 Holiday coupe is an all-original survivor car with 45k miles.

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