How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

hey guys, i have a stupid question to ask. as the thread says, how do i keep my 192k 305 alive. i want to take it to NED next summer, but im afraid that it'll crap out after one trip down the 1/4. the motor runs like a top, but i don't think the bearings will like 5000rpm too much. anything i can do besides rebuilding the motor? Jim.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

5000rpms aren't that much spin it up there.

If you're afraid of going WOT and spinning your engine past 4999rpms then what's the point?

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

How many times have you taken the engine up to 5000 on the street? How many of those times did you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a blown engine?

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

Rag it like your gonna drive it. If it is going to break then there is nothng you can do about it.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

well, my 305 TPI i had in my blazer tapped out pretty quick when i started beating on it. as for this engine, i personally haven't even had it up to 4000rpm. it runs quiet and smooth, but im a-scared.

i just down want to end up with another yard decoration.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

you'll be fine i got a 305 with 147000 miles and a rebuilt top end and that cars been beaten up its whole life. I recently put in a t56 and 3.73's and i get on that thing and hard and its still holding up.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

Things you should do are replace your oil with some Rotella T. I would put the older type straight 30 weight in it but if it holds good pressure now you'de probably be better suited going with the synthetic 5 w 40 (this oil should cost you less than $20 to change to and is very good stuff; made for diesel engines). You should also consider replacing your valve springs. If a valve drops your motor is done. While you're in there do the valve seals and you should be good for another 100,000 miles. Also 5000 rpm isn't a very big stretch for these engines so long as you keep good oil in them and keep them at a normal operating temp.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

synthetic 5 w 40 Rotella? didn't know about that. as its time for an oil change anyway, ill be doing that i guess, along with a PH5. why did GM use the smaller filter? there not a clearance issue, so why not get the biggest filter you can fit?

i've also come across an other 305 from a TPI car, so i think ill do a little work to those 081 heads. LT4 springs and retainer should drop right in right? plus now i've got a backup engine should this one crap out.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

Yes springs and retainers will swap right over.

Re: How to keep old motor alive at the track
 

I take my winter rat Escort past 5000rpms on a daily basis, thats got 195k on it. I take my 305 to 5500rpm every single time I drive it, I'd go further but there's no power past that point. My 158k mile 3.4 liter v6 in my wifes car, that sees 6200rpm on at least a weekly basis. Point is - you might as well go for it, the age factor alone isn't going to cause a failure within normal operating rpm, and if you do have a failure, you had other problems anyways that needed fixing. You've got a spare motor, so no sweat right?