Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

Hello everyone,

A couple months ago I got my hands on a car that I've wanted since I was a kid... an '82 Trans Am! The car is great, its virtually rust free, the paint needs some love, only 57k miles, a great price... couldn't be better, right??

Well here's the catch, the motor is seized up. I knew it had sat for a long time, so I tried some Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders... no luck. Long story short, I've just decided to strip the anemic 305 out of the car, and replace it with its big brother, the 350.

After a large amount of consideration and going back and forth, I've decided that starting with a Short Block is going to be the best option for me.

SO, here's where my questions lie... This is my first engine build. I plan on doing all the work myself with some help from the internet and family. Now, if I start with a short block, what list of parts can I expect to accumulate?

I know the basics:
-Short block (Entire bottom end)
-Cam
-Timing Sprockets, Chain, & Cover
-Heads
-Accessories (Water Pump, Alternator, Power Steering Pump, AC Pump)
-Harmonic Balancer
-Intake Manifold
-Carb
-Distributor
-Oil Pump
-Oil Pan

I'm expecting there to be a number of other parts that I also need, like rollers, lifters etc. However, I'd like confirmation on that and a list of further parts. Also, a lot of parts will be coming off of the 305, such as the oil pump/pan, the accessories, and possibly the intake and carb temporarily.

Thank you guys so much for any input you have for me. Like I said, this is my first attempt at a motor, so I can use any help you have to offer.

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

not sure i understand your question completely.
are you buying a used or new short block and wanting to re-use things like the oil pump, tins, balancer, heads, etc off the 305?

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

I'm sorry, I suppose I wasn't very specific about my plans.

I am buying a new Short Block from Summit Racing. I also intend on mostly buying new parts to finish the motor.

The only parts I plan on reusing from the original motor are the accessories, and the oil pan. Upon further consideration, I realized the oil pump will most likely need to be upgraded, or at least updated.

I suppose the essential question here is "What parts do I need in order to finish building a new short block into a running motor?"

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

a short block is generally considered an already built bottom end/block. add heads on up. are you buying a bare block? do you have a link or part number to the summit part? might help?

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

For a short block you will need

oil pan
oil pan gasket
oil pump
oil pump pickup screen
oil pump drive rod
Timing chain set
timing chain cover
timing chain cover gasket
harmonic damper
cylinder heads with valves and springs
head gaskets
rocker arms
pushrods
camshaft
lifters
valve covers
valve cover gaskets
intake manifold
intake manifold gaskets
Distributor
Distributor gasket
Distributor hold down tab and bolt
carb
carb gasket
water pump
water pump gaskets
Fuel pump
Fuel pump pushrod
Fuel pump mount plate
fuel pump and plate gaskets
Oil dipstick and tube
Timing marker tab
water pump pulley
crank pulley
water neck
T-stat
alt. brackets
Alt.
Power steering pump brackets
flexplate/flywheel
engine clamshell mounts
sending units for water temp, oil pressure.

Then of course all of the bolts for the above said items.

You can use alot of the parts from your 305 on this. You need to think about a couple things at this point though. 1) your budget, 2) what do you want out of this build. Just a stock 350 or do you want to build for alittle more power, etc. Some of the key parts you will be swapping around or buy has a big impact on performance/power.. Like heads, cam, intake, etc.

If your wanting just a stock 350 you can use your 305 heads and intake on it, pushrods, buy a small or mild cam and lifter set.

Do not re use your old 305's oil pump. Buy a new melling or sealed power stock type pump, screen, and drive rod.

Do not re use your 305's cam, or lifters

You can re use all of your 305 bolts on new parts going on the 350 short block.

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

This is exactly the parts list I was looking for :) Thank you very much to the both of you for your help

Re: Need Some Help! (First Motor Build)
 

Your welcome. Good luck with your build