I was replacing the valve seals on my 305 this weekend and found that the #4 exhaust valve is either burnt or stuck open. So, I'm saying to heck with it and installing a 350 - I'm actually being forced to do it.

Anyway, my question is what should I do with the 305? I DON'T want it sitting around my garage. Where does a person take the old engine that they have pulled and no longer have a use for?

 

Use it for a boat anchor or take it to a Salvage Yard, but you may have to pay them to take it off your hands.

 

I sold mine for $225

 

Gee, I don't suppose anybody on this board would like to come and get it? It's free.

Seems stupid for a salvage yard to charge me for giving them some scrap metal, or even an engine that somebody might buy - the core is still good. How much would the normal fee for that be?

 

I'm gonna let Dr. Phil handle this one.............

People, who would want a good core motor?

A machine shop or an engine rebuilder



You should get at least $150 for a core motor, think of what you get charged if you don't have a core.


Dr. Phil out...........

 

How much work do u think is involved in getting that engine back up and running?
How much for shipping to michigan for the core
I would be willing if all this isint too much to buy it off you,

thanks
Craig.

 

I have no idea how to ship a motor to Michigan. To be honest I think the cost of shipping would exceed the value of the motor anyway.

I found a site called www.rebuiltcarengines.com that gave me an estimate of $1399 for a rebuilt 350, with free shipping. They usually ask for a core return. If I can arrange to get the full core charge back for my 305 I'll probably go that route. I need to get something moving on this soon so that I can put my birdie back on the road. I just bought a set of Torq Thrust II's and I can't wait to put my 350 equipped TTII wearing girl back on the road.

By the way, has anybody ever heard anything about the above mentioned engine rebuilder?

 

Maybe I'm not looking where you were, but the only $1399 engines I saw on that site were 305's.

You aren't being "forced" into anything. Pull the heads, have a machine shop do a basic "valve job" on them, perhaps something needs to be done to a guide or two (or all 16), perhaps a few valves to replace. A couple hundred $'s and it's back on the road.

Of course, if I were using this as an excuse to put a different engine in it, it would be a 350 not a 305...

 

I'm being forced into it inasmuch as the rest of the engine is looking pretty cruddy. Let's be realistic, we're talking about a 138,000 mile 305 that has a burnt or carbon stuck valve. It's leaking all over the place. I could repair the head and spend that money, but I'm still looking at a leaking motor and possible ring problems (something had to cause the valve to stick/burn). I already have the exhaust out and the emissions control items removed from the engine. Do I want to take the chance of having to remove this stuff again later, or do I want to go ahead and bite the bullet and install the 350?

For that matter I have a set of Vortec heads that I would like to install, but, again, I don't want to spend the money and install them on this old shortblock. See what I mean? You have me thinking, though, because I'm not excited about spending the money on the new engine right now. I really had not planned on it.

Let's discuss...

 

The $1399 came from an e-mail quote from the sales guy. I specifically told him that I wanted to swap a 350 for the 305. I suppose it's possible that he didn't understand and quoted the wrong motor. I sent a follow up message to find out.

You really have me thinking about taking the cheap route, though. If I were to remove the heads and find there was no cylinder ridge or scuff in the cylinder I might be able to install the Vortec heads with the new manifold and an EGR adapter, without changing the cam and without having the heads milled to 58cc, for less than $500-600. I wouldn't have nearly the power right out of the box as I would if I were to do cam change and have the heads milled, but it would still be better than the stock 305. The only worry then would be how long the short block holds up. The #2 cylinder was producing about 150 psi compression. That's a good sign.

 

When I was having the same problem with my L98 and a knocking rod, I had to think realistically. In my case, pull the motor, r&r main and rod bearings, hone the cylinders, new rings, new gaskets, have the heads checked out and slap it all together. Even if I needed the crank turned I could have had the parts and labor I couldn't do (crank turn) for under $300.00.

I'm no ASE mechanic but the Chilton's manual and other members volunteered to help. That was til I found a ZZ4 sitting in my garage, so the L98 rebuild was flushed down the toilet.

Now I'm gonna rebuild my ZZ4 and if the L98 dies between now & then, oh well. But I'll baby her and hopefully she will survive another couple of months.

If you were going to buy a motor, buy a short block and pop your own heads and cam and do it that way. I don't think there should be much of a problem with emissions.

If you are going to put any HP into that motor, I would definitely put new bearings in the bottom end at the least. You don't want a rod letting loose at redline, it will get ugly fast.

 

Hey Craig,

I am going to have a 305 pretty soon that you can have. Actually I have a 350 block too that you can buy from me. I live in Livonia. I haven't pulled the 305 yet, but I should be doing it this spring. The 350 is not complete because I will be taking some things off but you can have it for a reasonable price. The 305 was just rebuilt supposedly 50,000 miles ago, but started burning oil before I put the car up. The 350 needs to be bored. Reply back if interested. Thanks!

Steve

 

They go to the big junkyard in the sky.

 

never had a 305

but i would sell it somehow..

 

Hey i really appritiate the offer(cant spell though)
Im going to go to the 350 for my car though, My brother-inlaw lives in St. Louis and is a Machanic, he said he will put an engine in for me for free, he even has a 350 donor car for me to buy.
but thanks anyways.
Craig