If I use a 350 vortec short block for my swap, will the ancillary parts, (harmonic balancer, flex plate, etc.), from the 305 TPI bolt up correctly to the new engine? Do I use engine specific or model specific parts? I'm getting all new stuff so I want to know what to order. Thanks!

 

Unless the 305 is '85, the answer is "yes".

 

Sorry. I was a little vague. The TPI in question is my 'vert which is a '92, so I should get parts for a '92 and not for a truck, correct?

 

Sticking with the 305 heads?

Sounds like it'll be '92 305 parts if so.

 

Got a set of small chamber Trickflow 175's, the ones patterned after 113's and will work with a 305 , so yeah, 305 heads. I was gonna' warm up the 305 but am looking at a pretty good deal for a rebuilt L31 short block so I'm undecided but trying to talk myself into going 350. It just kills me to dump my meticulously maintained, 55K mile 305 bottom end.

 

Oh. The heads are '87 - up intake face.

 

Spark plugs will be whatever Trickflow says to use.

 

Gotcha'! Thanks for the help.

 

Pop the vortec reluctor wheel off behind the timing cover to use the TPI balancer. If you dont it will push the balancer out .125" which is enough to wreck your belt

 

Good to know. I'm pretty sure this particular engine comes w/o the timing cover, so if it's there, it'll be easy to see/remove. Thanks!

 

Here's my quandary: The following 2 pics show the 2 engines with the parts I've accumulated over the past coupla' years, with adjustments for slightly different head flow due to bore size and a difference in compression due to same. Now, I understand that Comp Cams' "desktop dyno" is not 100% accurate but I believe it gives a pretty good comparison of the 2 motors with the same equipment. Due to the low RPM nature of TPI, (though I won't be using the stock stuff, the program doesn't allow for any other choice), I gain a a fair amount of torque but not all that much HP. And, while torque is more what I'm interested in, (don't need big numbers on the dyno/time slip; just wanna' terrorize a few kids in their Hondas), I'm gonna' have enough to probably have drive line/traction issues with the 305, let alone the 350. Also, the 350's torque curve appears to be a lot "peakier", (is that a word?), than the 305. In other words, my return on investment, (around $1000-1200), is rather low. If the 305 was shot, there would be no doubt about stepping up. But, it checks out good, (good compression/leak down, no oil burning, no noise, etc.). I dunno'.

 

a 350 vs a 305 is like Angelina Jolie vs a blowup doll.......

 

 

i stand by what i said! i always seem to miss the dates but this is relevant to what im currently doing.