I recently purchased a '90 Formula with a 305 TBI, just under 130,000 miles. When I bought it, the engine fired right up, no hesitation, and didn't smoke.....well, lo' and behold 2 weeks later, it is having difficulty staying at idle when first started, and it's smoking...I believe it's burning oil.
Now, this was a "budget buy" in the first place, and I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on this car, but it does have to be reliable. So my question is, how tough is a motor swap? I have never done it before, but I do have a buddy (older guy I used to work for) who would supervise (he's done this work plenty of times before). So it would be me, with no experience, some tools, a "how-to" book, and a little supervision.
On a side note, i'm in the military, so I have very minimal mechanical experience, but hope to be starting school soon to be a mechanic when my enlistment is up. So I have a high interest in doing this, but my question is how difficult is it and would you recommend I attempt this?
And the swap would probably be to a 350 TPI or an LT1...cuz the LS1 is too expensive

And a big HELLO to everybody, as this is my first post

 

Welcome to the boards!

I live in Elkton MD near the U of D. If needed , I could help out locally...

Doing the TBI to TPI swap would make the swap harder as a wiring harness/ computer change is necessary.

Easiest thing for a novice would be to replace the 305 short block with another 305 or a 350 shortblock. this would enable you to use the existing components and get you back on the road quicker.

I did a 2.8 to 2.8 swap on a 1983 Camaro. It is a very detailed task and some things had to be redone (it was my first swap).

Currently, I have close to 20,000 miles on the new engine. No major problems but I do have a small oil leak to fix.

 

I am working on my first 2 motor swaps right now, my 305 to LT1 and my friends 305 to LT1.
Pulling the motors and trannies was easy. We'll find out how hard it is to put a motor back in early next week when my friends motor arrives. Mine is almost ready to go in but am still waiting on money for gaskets.

I've got a tranny,carb, dist, air cleaner, valve covers for sale that you might want for your swap if you are interested.
I need to sell these to buy my gaskets.

 

Thanks for the replies and the offer to help

This is something I am inquiring about, but don't have the money to do it just yet. My interest in this swap is genuine, but obviously I am apprehensive.
MDv6man, you mentioned doing a 305 shortblock to 350 shortblock swap...this would exclude the L98, correct? Am I remembering correctly that I have heard that referred to as a longblock?
Also, where would you guys suggest looking for decent priced motors?

 

correct me if i am wrong but a short block is a block with a crank rods and pistons already in it. a long block has heads intake? carb/other form of induction? oil pan? this is correct right? then what i think you may be referring to is the tall deck short deck. most likely i am wrong seems that is that way life has been handed to me lately.

 

I have always understood "shortblock" meant Block, crank, rods, pistons, cam and heads. "Longblock" usually meant shortblock plus timing cover, water pump, and intake.

But don't take my word as gospel either...

 

Short block is crank, rods, pistons, and maybe an oil pump. That's it.

A long block is adding the heads and an oil pump. That's about the only real difference. Some places sell their long blocks with more, like a cam, timing chain cover and an oil pan, but that varies from place to place.

The ones that come with a water pump, intake, and dissy are called either "turn key" or "deluxe" or something like that.