1992 tbi 305 motor in a 71

[FL71C10]

I am still looking for a motor for my truck. I have a guy willing to trade for the 68 swb frame I am selling. He is offering a 1992 tbi 305 out of a 1992 caprice. It has the tbi, intake and exhaust manifolds, starter, flexplate, but no alternator or ac pulleys. He said the distributor seemed like it had a problem so he put an hei dist in it and got it fired up spraying gas in the intake.

He has thecomputer and all of the sensors but the harness was cut from the engine compartment side and at the computer, so I'd have to resplice everything or get a painless wiring kit.

It had a 700r4 behid it so obviously that's what I would try to match it up to.

What do I need to watch for? What parts/electronic components do I need to make sure I get?

Would you guys do the trade?

[FL71C10]

Can anyone help me on this?

[KcLevi]

For one thing the dist. he took out and replaced would most likely need replaced. Even if that motor was still in car and he just swap dist. with HEI it wouldnt run as im sure computer has something to do with dist.

[FL71C10]

Yeah, I figured I would need a new distributor. Are they expensive?

[Warrens69GMC]

I like the 305's, but I think you should pass on this trade. You really aren't getting your moneys worth from this used 305. Probably has high miles.

From the factory they came with 170-190 Hp and around 225-250 FT/lbs torque. In used form this would be less, plus you don't know how it has been maintenced.


For the wiring harness he will provide, you can throw it in the trash, and use the painless kit- why try to "fix" 18 yr old wiring to make it fit - (my .02). For the distributor, is is essentionally a core. You don't know if its good or not, and if you will be going thru the trouble of putting TBI on your truck, you should get a rebuilt/new dist.

any cam swap to the 305 to make it run with more hp/torque requires fuel injectors and /or fuel pressure modification.

[Lee H]

I'll take a stab at this. Unless your a seasoned mechanic with ODB1 diagnostic experience I'd stay away from this. You'll need to piece together a complete wiring harness with all the sensors, electronics, etc. Then if the distributor, FI, and motor are in good shape you should be able to get it running. If on the other hand you are more of a week end warrior or shade tree mechanic I'd recommend starting with a GM crate engine, cheap and comes with a good warranty. Your leaving a lot of power on the table with a 305 and I'll bet good money it's near warn out and will need major work soon, especially if you push it. And, your pretty much limited on the power side with a computer controlled, TBI 305. With a carbureted 350 crate you can easily increase power as funds become available.

[Warrens69GMC]

The 305 can be built to respectable levels for a daily driver, using the factory roller cam provisions and a little port work.

Rebuild the shortblock with flat top pistons, add 350 ramjet cam ( http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=22922 )and use the stock heads (TBI) or 96-2000 vortec 305 heads.

You should be around 300 hp and 300ft lbs of torque.

[long69]

pass on it, at the end of the day i'd bet you'd spend more $ on this than you would buying a krate motor along with everythang you wood need to install it.
what i'm trying to say is you'll have to spend at least another grand to get something going that you really have no history on, just someones word.

[FL71C10]

How much is a crate motor?

[Warrens69GMC]

Chevy 350 vortec replacement is 2134.73
http://sdparts.com/details/gm-goodwr...gines/12530282

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I would also pass on it the wirein and sensors and dizzy that would require to be right would cost a fortune..

[raycow]

Please pardon the choice of words, but isn't there a relatively "painless" way to put a carb on a TBI manifold?

I bought a 305 to replace my blown 283 and didn't want to deal with the FI, so I just swapped the 283 heads and intake, but it looked like a carb might have worked on the 305 intake.

Ray

[FL71C10]

Worst case, couldn't I just get an intake and carb + dist and run it that way?

[Warrens69GMC]

Yes you can. But you can usually find the same 305 on craigslist for free!!

[raycow]

Absolutely yes. I don't know if there are factory carb intakes for those heads, but there are certainly aftermarket ones. The heads changed sometime around 87. Also, it is supposed to be possible to modify earlier intakes to fit the heads. I didn't want to try it because I already had the earlier heads and I wanted to see what the engine looked like inside anyway.

Ray

[FL71C10]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Yes you can. But you can usually find the same 305 on craigslist for free!!

You can find an engine for free on craigslist?

[GASoline71]

For dang near free... the 305 is the bastard child of GM engines. Why GM even made that engine is beyond me.

I would pass on this deal too...

Gary

[raycow]

I paid $100 for my 305 10 years ago and it is still running. Rodders have no use for these engines, so that's why you are seeing the opinions that are posted here. However, if you just want a cheap power plant so you can get something on the road, I can't think of a better choice for the money.

Ray

[Warrens69GMC]

Originally Posted by FL71C10

You can find an engine for free on craigslist?

I have went and picked up 3 FREE 305's from craigslist

1-77, 2- 90's

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by raycow

I paid $100 for my 305 10 years ago and it is still running. Rodders have no use for these engines, so that's why you are seeing the opinions that are posted here. However, if you just want a cheap power plant so you can get something on the road, I can't think of a better choice for the money.

Ray

I will agree with that 100%...

Gary

[barryvanhook]

If you are set for a 305, look for a later one with the vortec heads ... I had a 97 with that engine, and it was a nice setup. I think it was rated at around 250 hp.

Barry