Is "all original" worth keeping a 305?

[slotard]

Originally Posted by Malo83

My 305 runs great, let's get real, it's a truck, I look for dependability not speed, besides it being a Cali truck, not much you can do to them, the new E-Rod Ls3 6.2 is the only legal engine swap that;s CARB approved, and since i'm an Old Skool cruiser i'll hang on to my boat anchor 305.

There are plenty of other legal swaps but swapping all the smog equipment is required. Not so much fun.

While swapping a 350 might not be legal, are they really going to check? I'd be surprised. You could almost certainly get away with a 350 (or a 383, or any smallblock that isn't obviously non-stock) as long as you kept heads that look about like stock ones, etc. Or am I missing something? My truck is a '73 so I don't have to smog it, but on smog checks on other vehicles I don't think they've looked at block numbers.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by slotard

There are plenty of other legal swaps but swapping all the smog equipment is required. Not so much fun.

While swapping a 350 might not be legal, are they really going to check? I'd be surprised. You could almost certainly get away with a 350 (or a 383, or any smallblock that isn't obviously non-stock) as long as you kept heads that look about like stock ones, etc. Or am I missing something? My truck is a '73 so I don't have to smog it, but on smog checks on other vehicles I don't think they've looked at block numbers.

Swapping to a 350 would be perfectly legal as it was a optional engine in these trucks. Not sure of smog equipment changed from 305-350`s though. I`m going to register mine in a different county that doesnt require biannual inspections. Just so happens we have a friend with a vacation home that I can use for the address.

I have also considered swapping in a TBI 350 as it would still be OBD1 which I already have and would have less smog stuff than my current 305.