Mildly Build 305 or Switch to other SBC

[292farmer]

i believe any year head will work, id look for a parts interchange manual, or ask at an autoparts store like napa may have a book.

[KFreddy]

Originally Posted by culp7

anyone know bout the vortech heads?

Sorry that I made the suggestion, doing a bit of research for you it seems that while the Vortec heads will work well on the 305 the valves might be a bit large to clearance the pistons (w/o machine work) on the 305, and if the idea is to keep this engine in the budget category then the vortec heads are not gonna work for you. If you can find a set of LG4 heads at the right price and rebuild them then you should be good to go.

There is a fair amount of information out there about building a 305ci however as others in this thread have said time and again for the effort involved it's a much better choice to build a 350 engine.

To put it in perspective here's an example of a high hp 305 just read the details about the compression and octane, conversely a 350 should make these #s with just a performer intake and cam swap while not working as hard...
http://www.hioutput.com/tech/343hp/343hp.html

GM part #10067353 is really the engine to look at. For about $1500.00 with the right bolt-ons you can have a reliable 275 hp and 350 lbs tq with low compression to run 87 octane gas. For 1/4 of that price you can more then likely pull a solid compression 350 from a yard and then eBay or use the for sale section here for the intake, carb, dizzy and pulleys for a few hundred more. The information is out there it's up to you to be resourceful and pull it off.

[culp7]

Thanks Guys, you've helped alot, i reckon i'm gonna keep the 305 as a small block to learn on, and for the fact that I paid $40 for it. I would love to upgrade to a 350, or other likewise sbc but for right now funds do not allow. Also, adding the crank from a 400 does what for the engine? And would it be okay for a D.D.?

Thanks, Bryant

[culp7]

ttt anyone?

[sinned]

Just build it stock. The 305 cannot ever be built to be a good HP engine. The limiting factor is the minuscule bore diameter which limits the valve size. The key to making power in any engine is airflow. To make HP, you need to get air and out as fast as possible (see forced induction for evidence). With the 305, the bore is so small that the intake valve is limited to the peanut sized 1.76/1.50 combo.

Don't waste your money trying to make decent HP numbers. If you are on a budget, concentrate on reliability and then build a decent 350 or bigger later when funding permits. Go ahead and throw a mild cam in it since you are going to replace it anyways and maybe a decent RPM manifold.

['72customdeluxe]

You might try later "416" casting heads from a 305 ho. They will flow better and have a better chamber design than yours. You can pick them up cheap on ebay remanufactured. Their valves are 1.84's but you can fit 1.94's.

[PowerPro]

If you're going to rebuild it anyway, go to the junkyard. I know every place around here has half price engines on cinco de mayo. (makes a 350 with full accessories only 50-60 bucks)

do that or advertise that you just need a rebuildable 350 on craigslist and that it's for a high school project... You may get one for free or 40 bucks. If you were in Spokane, I'd give you 2. Lol.

Bottom line, the 305 just isn't worth it... you'll want to upgrade from it later, so if you have to do the rebuild anyway, rebuild a 350 that you have tons of possibilities with.

[culp7]

Originally Posted by PowerPro

If you're going to rebuild it anyway, go to the junkyard. I know every place around here has half price engines on cinco de mayo. (makes a 350 with full accessories only 50-60 bucks)

do that or advertise that you just need a rebuildable 350 on craigslist and that it's for a high school project... You may get one for free or 40 bucks. If you were in Spokane, I'd give you 2. Lol.

Bottom line, the 305 just isn't worth it... you'll want to upgrade from it later, so if you have to do the rebuild anyway, rebuild a 350 that you have tons of possibilities with.

well ill try to post a C.L ad and see if i get any hits, if i find a good deal on a 350 i'll pick it up and build it, but until then the 305 is just gonna sit until i can build up funds for a rebuild period.

thanks bryant

[Jim_PA]

305's are great if you want to be the slowest guy out there.

[stevencvn72]

Of course everyone's going to tell you "350". A 305 will take you in foward, reverse, uphill and downhill. What else do you need? You've already got the motor. Be an individual and build it.

[lil hoodlum]

Culp7, I have read though these posts and the one you posted in the H.S. owners section. I think you would be more happier with a 350, but as you have stated your in Highschool and I think most people can relate to have a very small budget. Heck I'm in college and I still have a small budget. Just build what ya can with what ya got. I think the most important thing is just get that truck back on the road and have fun with it enjoying life!! That's what it's all about.
IMO I have a 350 which is going on its 10th year on a rebuild in stock form, its OK and does have sum git up N go but I certaintly don't carve up any asphault in it either! Just get you a loud exhaust and that should be enough to scare/ impress most people. Just have fun. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[culp7]

i don't see why or how a 305 even in stock form could be very slow? anyone know why or how? lack of HP? or such?


Thanks, Bryant

['72customdeluxe]

It all depends on parts used. Some smogger 305's were down around 110 horse stock I believe. Just bolt ons and alot of tuning would get one of those up close to 200 or so horsepower. Which is still very slow. Tpi and vortec 305's made 225 and 235 horsepower respectively. Alright, still kinda pokey

[Hubscrub]

305's get alot of hate but if you got it use it to get you going they can be built to make some power (just do a chevy 305 builds search on the web) you have limited funds so just go with what you got is my thought, the best motor i ever had is my 305 ho i my 86 monte ss with the 373 gears it did well and still runs like a champ now got it with about 86k miles on it in 1998 or 99 and i never even had the valve covers off gets good gas mileage and don't use oil got about 186,000 now and after all its still a chevy V-8

[culp7]

allright, unless i can get a crazy deal on a 350... i think i'll just stick w/ the 'ol 305!

['72customdeluxe]

some guys put no effort into tuning or don't think they need it. A crisp 305 > a crappy tuned 350 by far

[Trigger200]

Just purchased a 72 chevy (hoping to put up an introduction thread this weekend!!!) -the truck has a freshly rebuilt no frills 305 in it. I know i won't be happy with the 305; what do you guys think about a 327? Might have a chance at getting my hands on one.

[culp7]

Originally Posted by Trigger200

Just purchased a 72 chevy (hoping to put up an introduction thread this weekend!!!) -the truck has a freshly rebuilt no frills 305 in it. I know i won't be happy with the 305; what do you guys think about a 327? Might have a chance at getting my hands on one.

i'd keep the 305 and do slight mods to it like a cam and such... much cheaper!

[JRBECK64]

I once bought a 60 Chev pickup for parts and it had a 305 in the bed. Its all there and I think I am going to put it in my (Bastard Child) 50 Willeys Pickup just to be different. I have run the numbers on it and it has 4 barrel intake manifold on it which peaked my curiosity. This thing has 58cc Heads 170/150 valves on it which is pretty darn tight. A friend of mine recently restored an El Camino with a 305 in it and all the numbers match what he had in it. Let me tell you that thing hauled butt bigtime. I didn't think much of 305's till I drove this thing and It made me a rethink the 305 bashing I had heard in the past. Now that being said if I had the choice between a 350 and a 305 I would probably take the 350. I am about to have the bottom end of a 350 redone with a new set of heads I purchase a long time ago and I will probably have about $950 to $1K invested in it. You can find Edlebrock manifolds and HEI's on Craigslist or even at the junkyard if you keep your eyes peeled. Find an old CARTER AFB and rebuild it and once its tuned you will never have to touch it again. Put a little grease on your face when you go to the junkyard and tell them your a starving student and maybe they will help you out. If you need a carb I have an Edlebrock 1407 that I would donate to your cause if you pay the shipping, I will even send the rebuild kit that goes with it (Let Me Know). Good Luck with your Project.

JRBECK64

[Warrens69GMC]

Look for Vortec heads from a 96-00 chevy, and the casting number is 12558059 or "059" heads. This will wake up the little 305, but requires a new intake manifold to be used.

[silverstreak]

I have a 305 (out of a 76 El Camino) in my 71 C20. I've pulled a car trailer (loaded with a fullsize Impala) and another time loaded with enough lumber to build a 15 x 20 deck with no problems. I actually had to keep my foot out of it as it would get a little squirrely above 50 mph.
My dad's 86 C10 has a 305 which is peppy enough for everyday driving. It has no problem lighting the tires up at a stoplight. He's even done it once or twice himself.
I still have the same 302 in my old Ford I've been driving since high school in the mid 80's. I've added a 4 barrel carb, Performer intake, mild cam and headers to it. It has great throttle response and plenty of power for the street.
These little motors don't have the same reputation for power as the 350's but they last a long time and do what they were designed to do very well.

[barryvanhook]

+2 on the vortec heads on a 305 ... my old '97 had that configuration and it pulled hard. Good luck.

Barry

[beebster]

Not a dang thing wrong with a 305. If your a high school kid on a budget, just being able to cruise around is great. 305's will get you to your girlfriends house and back.
hopefully you wont get discouraged by the "buy a 3000 dollar crate motor" crowd.

[Tkmadone]

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...cks/index.html

[capev86]

i'd rather have a 305 than a 327, especially in a truck......running a 327 would be like driving an oversized honda. the 305 has a 3-1/2" stroke (like the 350) whereas the 327 has a 3-1/4" stroke and is basically a bored out, high revving version of the stock 307 in my truck.

if you have a good 305 engine, bore it out a little, put on good heads and induction, better exhaust, and maybe put a 400 crank it if you have the extra mula and you'll have a VERY efficient v8 with good pulling power.