Tech / General EngineIs your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org!
Welcome to ThirdGen.org.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join the ThirdGen.org community today!
I just bought a donor car with what the seller said was a '89 305HO, but when I checked the heads they are 14101081's. They've got the funky center mounting valve cover bolts, and my casting guide said that they are camaro heads from 87-88, so I'm guessing the seller was wrong. Are these better heads than the regular 305 heads I've got? are these HO heads? is this going to make enough of a difference that I should swap engines while I wait to build my 383? or should I just stick with my puny 305?
I'm not going to be spending any money on this engine, I bought a parts car for the tranny and posi and this engine happened to come with it and runs great. Knowing me, it'll be NEXT summer byt the time I get around to building the 383, so I'm either looking for a really cheap 350 to swap, (and then maybe build up) or maybe fate just happened to place this 305 HO here for a reason. either way, I'm not going to pour any money into it, just the weekend to swap it.
The 89 305 may or may not have come with the L98 cam (207/213 @ 0.050 and .415/.430 lifts w/ 1.5 rr).
The heads will be 1.84" intake and 1.50" exhaust valve sizes if stock. Plenty of posts for these types of heads and porting (flow results, pictures, etc.) Same basically as the 416 heads (pre-86). I would at least do a mild bowl blend on them, and use headers, and it will have good power. Or sale the nice running engine and get better parts for the 383
THere were no "HO" motors that came with centerbolt heads. Therefore they are not "HO" heads.
If the car doesn't say "HO" on the side of it, and if it doesn't have a carb and 3.73 gears and all that HO stuff, then it's not a "HO" motor. People have reduced that title to a mere buzzword.
They are non-swirl-port 305 heads from 87 LG4, TPI 305 from 87 to 82, and the L69 and LG4 that was used in the Monte Carlos in 87 and 88.
So they're about the best 305 heads you can get with center-bolt valve covers. But since the "HO" designation was dropped after 1986, they are not "HO" heads.
__________________ "So many Mustangs, so little time..."
do you mean TPI 305 from 87 to 92? I'm guessing that is what this engine is. He said that it was injected, but he swapped in an Edelbrock intake and an older non-CC q-jet and then sold the injection stuff, so I can't check that. but is does seem to have more power than my other 305. maybe it's just in better shape. the heads are much cleaner, for one thing. What sort of horse did the TPI 305's put out in 89?
As RB was saying, the REAL 5.0L HO motor ran from '83-86, with a 4bbl carb, special air cleaner and some other stuff.
The heads on those HO motors were either #416 or 601 (rarely). They had perimiter bolt valve covers as well. The heads you have are just as good as those, maybe a little better. I wouldn't stress over it though if you are just replacing the engine anyway.
