Ok guys im really new to this i have done a few searches and looked over a bunch of threads but all i can find is stuff on tbi and tpi not any of carb 350 swaps Im really in over my head but i want to get this done. Im in the begining and just want to make sure i understand everything correctly before I run into any problems. I have pulled the 305 out and Im in the process of cleaning and painting the engine compartment and then put the 350 in after i build it

If i buy a 350 carb, what happens with all the sensors and wiring harnesses how do i firgure what comes off and what stays? or if i go carb then i dont really need any of that correct? any advise would be great and greatly appreciated. And if you see anything else that i may need please let me know thank

from my understanding i need for carb 350
engine
header/exhaust
serpentine system
whatever im missing please let me know

 

What do you have now?

Mine was originally a carb'd 305. Same equipment that was on the 305 is now on the 350.

 

Right now what was in there was a 305 tbi

 

Any particular reason you're going to use a carb? If you have TBI, it's '88-later, and carb isn't emissions legal as a TBI replacement. Don't tell me, "I don't have emissions," because it's federal law for street/highway use, even if inspection or testing isn't enforced at your local level.

If you have TBI, it's '88-later, meaning it has a serpentine accessory system. So, why did you include "serpentine system" in your list of needs?

You don't "need" headers and exhaust just because you're putting in a 350, but it is highly recommended because the stock system is inadequate for a 305.

The TBI forum has good information available about swapping a 305 TBI to 350 TBI.

 

Emissions are not enforced in florida so i can get away with it. I like a carb system better than TBI, it an 89 and yes i has the serpintine system but i want a new one that is a little more dressy looking than the ugly stock on. and i plan on new headers and exhaust. My real problem is i not really sure, but if i go carb then that will eliminate most of the wiring harness, correct? I was looking at getting a turn key from enginefactory.com I just got back from a deployment and have some money to spend. I just got the 305 out and im in the process of cleaning the engine compartment so i want to know what wire harness should stay what could go? all the stuff i dont want to take something out and need it later i dont want to stay with the tbi thanks so much bro

 

I just talked to a good mechanic. I have an 84 z28 with a 305 ho motor and a spun bearing. He has done the swap before. His answer was go to a gen 2 distributer and holley carb. neither of these are controlled by the ecm. as the dist is a vacuum advance. the carborator is not controlled by a computer. The knock sensor is no longer needed. the check engine light will come on but is meaningless. I have the block mounted fuel pump and egr valve. I like the old carbs also as I grew up with them and though many like the efi. I really prefer carbs and being able to set my own advance settings. I believe from my research my computer will control almost nothing as I have a single fan unit which runs on a temp ground switch. I would not cut out wires just wrap them and tuck neatly out of sight. If anyone disagrees with what I have said as far as how to swap I would like to hear from them as I am waiting for my new 358ci to be balanced so I can assemble and install.

 

Yea I went ahead and romoved the motor, i really want a very clean looking engine space and the tbi wiring harness is to much to just tuck away, so i went ahead and removed the ECM and the wire harness. I left what i would really need, dist, temp, oil, starter, but i kept all the wires in case i need to add anything when i get the motor in but im goin with a non computer dist, one alternator, the block mount fuel pump so i should be good right now i getting ready this week to do complete suspension and new rear end the transmission just got back so im looking good just the motor and paint after the new year and she should be good i hope

 

A block mounted mechanical fuel pump won't be able to pull properly through a non-operating in-tank electric pump.

"Gen 2 distributor"? Not sure what that means. Gen II SBC is generally used to describe the LTx family of engines, and the Optispark certainly isn't the right thing to use with a carb conversion.

 

I have a edelbrock 1405 600cfm and a NCC stock GM distributor with the vacuum advance. This set up was on my 350 , and it ran great . 125$ for both .Read the tech article on the distributor swap .PM me if you want photos.

 

five7kid can you remove the old fuel pump or is there something else that should be done? thanks

 

I would assume you could put a sending unit in your tank from a car with the block type pump . You could just put a fuel presser regulator on it . Keep your pump and use a block off plate on the block mount.

 

You can keep the pump operating and use a return-style fuel pressure regulator on it, or remove the pump and make the pick-up a standard style. There's a sticky in the top section of the Carburetor forum about making a plain pick-up out of an in-tank electric pump pick-up.

 

Thanks

 

I JUST DID MINE I WENT FROM TBI TO CARB I HADE TO CHANGE THE INTAKE,FUEL PUMP, CARB AND THE DISTRIBUTER