OHC Conversion to V-8
Short answer: Going OHC-6 to V8: the stock Saginaw 3-speed (3.11:1 first) won’t survive any V8 — plan on a Muncie or Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed, with the full V8 clutch change-over (the OHC-6 uses a different, longer z-bar and a different bellhousing). And for a car turning low 13s, upgrade the drum brakes to disc — you’ll never regret it.
For an automatic, a 200-4R overdrive fits better than a 700R4 (dual-pattern bellhousing, needs only a small crossmember move; the 700R4 is Chevy-pattern only). A steeper rear gear works well with either engine. The OHC-6 revs higher but stops making real power around 4500 RPM.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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