Fixin Her up

[texascowboy593]

Well I hope in 2-3 weeks time I can buy a new edel intake and use my old Carter 4bbl and do a HEI swap on that old 67 GMC. Maybe I can get it to quit backfiring w/ that. Im no mechanic, but I can do some things. I had to relocate the misplaced plug wires on the cap (PO) and it ran better but she still misfires but not as bad. BIg vacuum leak on the top that the intake swap will take care of...Wish me luck. Ill let you know how it turns out...thx

[special-K]

Is there a fouled plug or two from when the plug wires were run wrong?

[eric67m]

The picture looks like it had an engine fire?

[cdowns]

i'd run a compression b-4 spending much money on an old engine//i'd also checkout the timing chain//best way to kill an old tired engine is to hop it up

[special-K]

Is it a 2bbl now?If it`s a 4bbl I`d skip the manifold and just regasket the stock one.There`s no real advantage to performance manifold until after alot of other engine mods.Which,as cdowns mentioned,isn`t a good thing to do w/o a rebuild.headers`n`duals,that`s another story.Won`t hurt a thing.Whatever you do,have fun with it.

[texascowboy593]

I appreciate all the input! No sign of engine fire, just really dirty. Hope to have time to check plugs Sunday depending on work schedule. Headed to Ft. Worth Sat. to help a friend move w/ my 71. Ill borrow his comp test kit when im there and bring it back home. Also, I believe my Haynes svc book said the 305 had a plug gap of .45... I think the engine is an 84-85 w/ points!?! havent run block# yet. Did all years of 305 have that gap? thx y'all

[Longhorn Man]

well, the points aren't original to that 305. And with the points, stick with a .o35 gap, but once you stab the HEI, go ahead and open them to the .045.
Assuming the engine is sound and not a ticking time bomb, I'll have to disagree witht he don't swap the intake statement. I did one on a bone stock 300,000 mile old 350 and the improvement was noticed in both burn out length...and in MPG.
However, if the motor is on it's last leg...skip the intake and keep the RPMs below 3000. Ask me how I come up with these 'rules'.

[texascowboy593]

This is why this site is the best. Endless info on anything for fledgling weekend wrenchheads like me. All this info will be taken into consideration and definatly used! Thx so much everyone!

[72CSTC5]

Yes, stick with what Longhorn said. I would swap the intake just for the burnouts alone. Good luck.

[cypress TX 72]

Texas,
Fellow Texan Here (go Astros)
I have a eldebrock preformer I'll let go for $60 plus shipping or what ever you think is fair.
I'll take pics for you if you want. It has probably 20 hours on it, decieded to go with a complete create from blueprint engines. 400HP 400CID Small block !!!!!!!!!
Mean MOFO
If it were me I would replace all engine spark, I know you said are changing to HEI, and I am sure you are replacing plugs and wires...
Make sure to seal the front and back end of the manifol if you do change it, as most of these guys will tell you GM small blocks have to be sealed there really good or engine no runny good.... Vaccum issues
Change that carb and I'll bet you have a new truck after that. Remember Chevy Small block (even the forgotten 305) is an absolute unstopable hunk of Iron.

[Longhorn Man]

oh yeah...and on 100,000 mile engine... a T-chain, oil pump and cam are pretty much manditory....even if the cam selection is stock. If not stock, then be VERY conservitive since you are dealing with so few cubic inches.

[texascowboy593]

Well Cypress I apreciate the offer for the intake, but it would be awhile b4 I can do it. I gotta drive a 400 mile round trip this weekend ($$$) plus I promised the better half I'd spend very little cash on the trk until after Christmas. Then Im going nuts w/ my paychecks! I did put in cheap autolites and wires and just w/ that it seems to run better. The plugs I pulled out were gapped between .020-.040 (hmmm). They were also quite damp with sooty oil and reaked of gas (bad seals?). When running, theres a bit of greyish-white smoke from the pipes. Just hope I dont end up putting these swaps on the 305 and it just flatout dies

[special-K]

I wouldn`t waste my time on that 305.There`s plenty of 350s around for cheap.I`d just run it until you can get another motor.And,not to be contrary,but I`ve built motors with ideas and methods shared buy one of the best machinist/engine-builders on the East Coast,Dave Coleman,and we agree that unless you are trying to lower E.T.s on your drag car,you`ll notice little to no benefit over a stock 4bbl manifold installing a hi-flow intake on a motor that runs in the rpm range that these trucks run.Money could be spent more wisely on more internal upgrades that will "change" the motor significantly.That`s what GM did with their Muscle Cars.

[nitor]

Originally Posted by special-K

I wouldn`t waste my time on that 305.There`s plenty of 350s around for cheap.I`d just run it until you can get another motor.And,not to be contrary,but I`ve built motors with ideas and methods shared buy one of the best machinist/engine-builders on the East Coast,Dave Coleman,and we agree that unless you are trying to lower E.T.s on your drag car,you`ll notice little to no benefit over a stock 4bbl manifold installing a hi-flow intake on a motor that runs in the rpm range that these trucks run.Money could be spent more wisely on more internal upgrades that will "change" the motor significantly.That`s what GM did with their Muscle Cars.

Putting parts on the outside of an old engine is only patching. IMO, save the money and find something that is newly rebuilt or rebuild what you have. Of course tuning it up, and making what you have for the time being run better is a good idea, but putting unnecessary parts on something that sounds like it's on it's last leg is pretty much a waste of money. Apparently that's not the original engine, so it makes no difference whether it's changed out or not. If you're going to keep the truck, do it right. Then if you choose to make it pretty with the aftermarket parts.....