will 1981 305 sbc mate to 56 chevy 3 speed manual?

Asked by GIJOETRET Jul 11, 2013 at 11:48 AM about the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

Question type: General

I have a 305 sbc with 28000 miles on it and would like to swap out the 1956 six for it. will
it mate up with the 3 speed manual trans? I bet I will have to upgrade the radiator going to
a v8. Thanks, ernie

DavidH25 answered 10 years ago

Wait, you have '56 Bel Air, and it runs at all? Oh please don't do that, your '56 BelAir is worth a fortune if it runs at all and is in decent shape with original drive train? I don't know if the 305 will drop in or not, but why do you want to swap? Is the original engine shot?

1 people found this helpful.

Mark helpful

DavidH25 answered 10 years ago

Ok yep it will drop in, they had either the 2 speed what GM called a 'Powerglide' automatic or the 3 speed manual, with the same bellhousing bolt pattern

2 people found this helpful.

Mark helpful