Hello,

My car just rolled over 163,000 miles. The 305 is tired!!! It smokes on startup, I have a valve and or a rod slapping, and there is a slight oil leak on the passenger side coming from intake or head, not sure. I am going to be taking off to school next year and I need reliability, but I dont want to spend a ton of money. I have been told a rebuild is the way to go. Jasper website says 2000 and local NAPA said about 1200 for a Marshall, are these worth it?? Are they good engines?? I am really considering the Marshall for the price. Anyone had experience with either?? or any other suggestions?? I need all the help I can get because I want to keep the car but I need to be able to drive it and not worry about it leaving me stranded. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks!!!!!!

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1991 WS6 Trans Am
Medium Green Metallic
Beechwood interior
305 TPI
TH 700-R4, Auto
T-Tops, PW, PL, PM
Keyless entry, alarm
Flowmaster Muffler
K&N Filter
Macewen white faced overlays with Xenon bulbs
Firehawk SZ50's
KYB GR-2 Struts
KYB Gas-a-Just Shocks
Pioneer DEH-630

 

http://nebraskaengine.safeshopper.com/index.htm?960
Try these guys, if cost is an issue.

 

i bought a used marshall 350 out of a 80 camaro. i put the motor in a truck i had - to replace a rod knocking 305. i drove it for 2 years and about20,000 miles. i pulled my camaro with it . i sold the truck to a guy at work and he's still driving it.my one time experience was great

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86 camaro 405 sm. blk. th 350 tranny 3.42 gears

 

A new development. I just found out a friend of my girlfriends dad owns an engine shop. He will rebuild, he does street and racing engines both. I think I will give him a try!!!!

 

What does it take to replace my 305 with a 350??? Would I have to change anyhting?? Besides the chip???


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1991 WS6 Trans Am
Medium Green Metallic
Beechwood interior
305 TPI
TH 700-R4, Auto
T-Tops, PW, PL, PM
Keyless entry, alarm
Flowmaster Muffler
K&N Filter
Macewen white faced overlays with Xenon bulbs
Firehawk SZ50's
KYB GR-2 Struts
KYB Gas-a-Just Shocks
Pioneer DEH-630

 

Knock sensors, plus I don't know if a 305 and a 350's TPI are the same, I don't have one so I don't know. But they might be different and your TPI setup won't feed the bigger bore and stroked 350. There are a lot of little things to think about.

 

The only difference between the 305 and 350 TPI is the injectors (19# vs. 22# respecivly). Change the knock sensor and the chip and you will have a running motor like from the factory.

 

I know you're asking about a V-8, but I installed a 4.3 liter Jasper engine ($1,100.00) in a Blazer 3 years ago and the guy has had no problems at all. In fact, I'm in the same boat you are and I'm trying to decide what I want to do myself.

 

There has been some debate over the 305 vs 350 knock sensor. Many people have had success using the 305 sensor, but it makes sense to me that they would be different. 19lb/hr injectors can support up to 300hp without any problems at all. You would just need an Adjustable fuel pressure regulator to enrich the mixture. However I do believe that in order to get good performance you will need a custom burned prom. Everything else should swap right over, as long as the engine/heads you get are the correct year for your accessories. All that said, it shouldnt be too hard...but then again when was the last time anything went exactly as planned.

I say have your girlfriends dad swap your block for a 350 core (most places have one or two laying around or can get one real cheap) have him machine it and build it for you. Since you are looking for something reliable for daily driving (I assume) you probably want to keep the build pretty much stock.

Good luck