Hi all,

I know this question has been posted many times, but my question is. I got a 305 TBI that need the piston ring replace, but i also have a 350 from a '78 camaro. I would like to know If I can drop the 350 into my '92 RS, If so anything special needs to be done, and If so, can I use a Carburator instead of TBI. If not can I use the same TBI from the 305.. With the same computer. I've tried searching but can't find it. THnx in Advance

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confused

 

It's covered pretty thoroughly over on the TBI forum.

A '78 350 is probably going to have very lame heads & cam. So, you can probably install it under your TBI with very few modifications. You'll have some issues with things that changed between 1978 and 1992, such as intake manifold bolt angles and flexplate style. Nothing that can't be overcome, but you need to be aware of it going in.

Why do you think your engine needs rings?

 

took it to the mechanic, problem was that the car would throw smoke when car would turn on (valve seals my first guess), but now the car smoke all the time (blue smoke) so the mechanic said that it was the piston rings. Am i wrong to believe him or what. Is there a way to determain it with out removing the heads.

 

OK...just so I understand...you take the car to a mechanic to diagnose smoking, but you're comfy doing an engine swap by yourself??

 

No

A friend of mine is a mechanic would do the swap., but i want to make sure i can do it before i ask him too. Don't want it make it difficult on him. He says it will fit, but i want other opinions, regarding the tbi or carb.

 

OK. The heads on the older engine may not have all the holes you need up front to mount your serpentine accessories also.

 

The "Location: Los Angeles, CA" part may be your biggest issue with a 1978 350 swap.

Certainly forget a carb. It won't pass emissions inspection.

A '78 engine is going to look very obvious in a '92 car. The big giveaways are the perimeter bolt valve covers and driver's side dip stick. The valve covers you can handle by putting on heads from a later 350 (which would take care of the intake bolt issue as well). Not much you can do about the dipstick, but that would be less obvious.

Tread carefully is all I can say.

Most likely valve seals would take care of all of your oil smoke problem.

 

Well the smoke is constantly coming out when engine is on. Now i had the problem 2 year ago, and the car wasn't move or turn on since then. So would it the valve seal or something else.

 

Aside from extreme neglect or mechanical damage, it's pretty rare for rings to wear out these days.

However, you may have had some rust on the cylinder walls while the car sat that may be causing problems now. Have you changed the oil yet?

 

No but i will tomorrow, going to do a complete tune up. Question? Can i remove the heads, will it be difficult.?

 

Sure can, piece of cake.

 

Sure, no problem.

It's the getting-them-back-on part that is more involved.

However, you don't need to pull the heads to replace the valve stem seals.

 

Nah, that's easy too.