Well last week my 82's 305 blew a head gasket and I'll need a new engine. I live in California so I have to worry about all the emmissions crap. So my question is what is my best option? Should I go and get a junked third gen and just get the whole engine and wiring harness and ecu....or can I go to gm performance parts and get a new block or something and keep my current emissions crap? Also if I was to get one from a yard, what is the best engine I should be looking for? Thanks

 

if its just a blown head gasket then its an easy fix, unless you need or want a new motor then your in a different world altogether, you can make just about any motor "legal" if you know the right things to do. just do some research hear and there and you'll figure it all out.

 

A head gasket is alot less work than a motor swap.

 

I don't know how you guys do it. I've been working on and abusing SBC's since 1969, and I have yet to blow a head gasket on any one of them.

Fixing the head gasket is certainly much easier (and cheaper) than an engine swap. But, a base GM 350 would fit nicely under your 305 bolt-ons; add headers and complete exhaust, as well as different air cleaner. It'll go through emissions with flying colors, will have a good bit more power than the 305, and won't hurt you too much in the pocketbook.

 

Are you even sure it's a blown head gasket? Have you checked already or did you just assume it was the head gasket? If that's all it is don't junk it.

Would you rather pay-

$116.00 for a new set of head gaskets

Or

$2,000.00 for a crate engine?

If it is just the head gasket then don't just jump up and put a new one in. Trust me motor swaps aren't easy, I'm at the "get the money for the crate motor" stage right now. A connecting rod snapped in my 305 and put a window in the side of the block so obviously I had no choice, but if I had a blown head gasket and that was it, I'd still be driving my car.

 

I dropped my car off at the shop Friday. I had smoke out the rear and both sides of the engine. Car would NOT run and die constantly for a good 10-15 minutes before it warmed up and was barely drivable. Got blue smoke out the back and all that.

Im thinking not 1, but 2 blown head gaskets as its both sides of the engine smoking. Plus the engines got 200k+ on it and never rebuilt. Ill find out Tuesday for sure when the motors pulled.

Anyways, my decision has been to get a new engine. Well not new, dont want a crate (cant afford it). The shop I took it to keeps blocks etc from past projects and said I can have my choice of 350 block for very little. They will have it sent out to be checked and all that so I'm not worried bout that.

My question is what year/production block should I look for? I know that some especially the newer ones were made thinner I think than the older ones. Does that make a difference other than weight? Given the choice what years would you choose as a block to build on??

 

I haven't talked to the mechanic but for certain it at the least has a blown head gasket or two. He talked with my dad but my dad couldn't remember exactly what else was wrong with it, but I know its m ore than the gasket, it has excessive wear on other parts. It had a little over 122,000 miles on it never been rebuilt. The guy that looked at it is a good friend of our family so I know he isn't just trying to lie and get me for something more expensive. He knows his Chevy small blocks...he lives off of modifying old Toyota Landcruisers and restoring them as well as putting in 350s in them.. He'll do the engine swap on my car for free I just now need an engine. That is why I was wondering what is more convenient. Can I keep all my current emissions crap on a different engine as long as its a 305 or can I get a 350 from a GTA or something? I also wanted to know what engines are pretty much a complete bolt on....I know that any engine from 82-92 will fit my car but I was wondering if some of the vette engines fit in with little or no modification. I was eventually planning an engine swap but now I need it more than just wanting....I mean a carbed 305 in 82 only made 145hp....what is the engine I should be looking out for in the yards a 5.7 TPI from a GTA or IROC....is the my best option for a cheap engine replacement with good power? Since a crate engine is pretty expensive.

 

Excessive overheating of the engine can cause a head gasket to blow. If you did blow a head gasket it is not a huge deal to fix, but keep in mind you may possibly have valve train damage. If so, you will need to take it in and get the heads redone. In some cases you may be better off just rebuilding the whole motor considering the mileage it has on it. But, if you find out theres no valve damage, just have the gaskets replaced (if you don't have knowledge in this area). If you do, you can do the job yourself. Once it is done you may want to check the your motor is cooling right because it will end up blowing the gaskets again if you don't.

 

SC82TA

What are the emissions laws all about in CA. Doesn't a 21 year old car get to be exempt? If not I would find a usable engine from an 86 or newer camaro or firebird simply for the one piece seal crank. Preferable a 350. I had a 305 in my camaro for 138000 miles and it never skipped a beat so don't rule out a solid 305. Maybe get your mechanic friend to help YOU rebuild it and stab that baby in your ride. I'm sure you will find all the emissions crap will work.

 

GMPP offers an emmissions legal ZZ4 conversion for the third gens. I dotn have a cost in front of me but the part number is 10185077 308 hp and 365 of torque while retaining all emissions legalities

 

My car is 20years old not 21. California has the strictest emissions laws anywhere...I don't know exactly everything required for you to pass emissions I just know it sucsk. Yeah I've seen that engine its like $4500....don't really have that at the moment. I know it also has valvetrain damage...so you're saying rebuild. If I were to rebuild what components would you suggest? If I'm rebuilding might as well get better parts and improve my enigines performance. I still think I might lookout for a good used engine that I may pull from the junkyard. I think it all depends on costs, if a rebuild is cheaper than a good used engine that I suppose that is a viable option. I just want to know what would be best. Thanks though for everything everyone has said its really helped.

 

When it comes to rebuilding costs it depends a lot on what you need. If the cost of nessasary parts is very high before machine shop cost is figured in then a good used engine or an affordable crate motor is the way to go. Also GM sells the Goodwrench 350 engine which is complete from oil pan up to the heads, I think for less than $2000. Not to sound like a salesman but Chevy High Performance magazine used this as the base of a 400+ hp/400+ tq engine. They only changed heads and cam. Maybe something worth looking into.

BTW I only said your car is 21 because we are now in the 2003 model year.

 

I'd definatly go with a 350 all the emmisions crap will bolt right up to it.