im swapping my 305 with a 350 this week and i just need to know, since im on a really tight budget, can i use my 305 lifters, intake manifold, pushrods, water pump...and stuff like that? right now i just have the 350 block and heads, and money is getting short.....

thanks

 

I wouldn't reuse the lifters unless you are using the cam that they were with in the 305. If they are roller lifters then I would but make sure you put the lifters back in the EXACT order you took them out in. Non-roller lifters create a wear pattern with the cam and changing one without changing the other causes abnormal wear.

Jeff

 

You can use all the things you listed. You should, however, use the same cam with the lifters, and keep them in the same location when they are switched. Same with pushrods & rockers.

305 cams are pretty lame, unless you have a factory 5-speed TPI. You can get a decent cam & lifter set for less than $100 (assuming you have a '86-earlier flat tappet, not roller), which would be money well spent. If you currently have roller and go to flat tappet, you'll need pushrods and timing set as well, which together new would probably cost you less than a new roller cam. You'll just be "downgrading" the type - performance will be fine. Really, though, don't go using a 305 carb, TBI, or TPI automatic cam in a 350 - it just doesn't make sense when you're at this stage. If I had roller, I'd pony up the extra dough to get an upgrade roller cam (roller lifters don't typically "wear out" like flat tappet, and don't have to stay on the same lobe of the cam when switched around). That's assuming both your 305 and 350 blocks are the roller type. If your 305 is roller and 350 flat tappet, just go get a new cam & lifter set, with new timing set and push rods.

The water pump is considered a wear item, which will often leak when swapped over. Even if it doesn't leak right away, its life is partially if not mostly used up, and it is a lot easier to change when the engine is in its current state then a couple of months from now when it's all put together and starts leaking. They can be had for $25. Same goes for a mechanical fuel pump if you've got carb - just get a new one now, save yourself hassle later.

Again, you weren't very specific about your current engine, but intakes will swap between the 305s & 350s. The 305 carb intakes are reasonable pieces, and people do TBI & TPI swaps all the time to 350s. The biggest potential issue is if your current engine is '87-later, in which case the center two intake to head bolts on each side will be at a different angle than the others, which may not be the case if you 350 heads are '86-earlier. Just get a rat-tail file and elongate the holes until they fit. If your 350 heads happen to be Vortec, you need a new intake manifold.

If you don't have the funds right now to do this right, I would strongly recommend holding off until you do have the money. You're setting yourself up for disappointment and greater expense and hassle down the road if you don't.

[Edit: Looks like Navy just beat me to it...]

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere w/open diff & slipping tranny. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

[This message has been edited by five7kid (edited April 14, 2001).]

 

I think your explanation was better than mine though

Jeff

 

ok well i did go out and get a a roller cam and lifters from crane cams.....only ran me 140...not too bad....im debating on getting a edelbrock performer rmp intake or not....ill pick up a new water pump and fuel pump....i got pushrods, and a new timing chain....all new hoses.....the only thing that i cant afford is a new carb......i have to put on my 305 carb on for the time being....until i can get me a street avenger like i want.....


anything else u guys can think of that i need?
by the way its going to be in an 84 t/a and the 350 is brand new.....

 

A note on the intake, the performer RPM manifold will not fit under the hood with the q-jet carb. The higher rise manifold plus the adapter necessary to mate the q-jet to it is simply too tall. The air cleaner will not clear the stock hood. I just did the 305 to 350 swap and had to go back to the old manifold (boat anchor!) for just this reason. A perfomer will fit easily (lower profile and does not need an adapter) as well as a few from other companies. Maybe someone else on this board knows a few more that will work.

EDIT: you can get an RPM manifold that bolt directly to a q-jet that MAY fit under the hood, but then it will not work with the Holley without an adapter.

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DG

1984 Z28 LG4/A4
Mods: are you kidding? They cost money.
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[This message has been edited by Black 84 Z (edited April 15, 2001).]

 

$140 for cam and lifters? Can't be a roller, you're about $300 short for those kind of pieces. I'd believe you got a flat-tappet cam, lifters, and roller timing set for $140, though. What pushrods are you talking about?

You never said what your original engine/350 engine configurations are.

Unless you got a pretty high RPM cam, you aren't going to see any benefit from a Performer RPM. What are the specs on your new cam?

You really need to match the cam, heads, intake & exhaust to work together for a "package" that will avoid disappointment. I'm a little concerned you're not doing that as you choose your parts.