I'm doing my first engine swap on Friday. Going from a 305 to a 350. Any tips that will make the process of putting the 350 in easier for first timer?

 

Carbed or fuel injected?

Not alot different from a 305 to 350 so should be relatively easy.

Take lots of pics. Label all the wires and vac lines with tape. Have a nice table out to put parts on. Bag up bolts and nuts if necessary and label the bags.

Take your time. It's not hard but requires attention to detail

 

Carbed, I have a fuel regulator and an electric choke wired up.

 

Maybe common sense, but take the cap off the distributor. Really easy to crack that against the firewall as you lift the engine out (ask me how I know). Also, don't forget about the ground straps from the heads to the firewall!

A long crowbar might be helpful when you're lining up the motor mounts on reinstall. I needed one.

I'm assuming you're using a hoist. It's 100x easier to have two people: one person on the hoist and one actually moving the engine around.

You might want to pick up a cheap hand pump to get the block completely drained of coolant. Expect to spill some otherwise.

Are you pulling the engine and transmission together, or just the engine?

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for the tip on the distributor cap, its small stuff like that is gonna make this process way easier. Yeah I'm using a hoist and I've got a buddy to help me. I actually bought the car with no engine in it. The stock transmission is in there for now and I plan on using it till I can get my hands on a T56

 

Make sure your flex plate matches your new engine. If it's a different generation block they may not swap over.

 

I've got the correct flex plate, I actually need to unbolt the turbo 350 that is currently attached to the engine.

 

I'm halfway considering turning the 350 into a 383, I mean if I'm gonna do it now while the engine is out of the car seems like the best time. Anyone else done this? is it worth the time and money?

 

I have a 383 t56 in mine. Probably cheaper to buy a stroker than build one. You'll need machine work crank rods and pistons. And if you don't have good heads it could spiral into more spending than a create motor. Just put any new gaskets the used engine needs and enjoy it.

 

Glad that helped! I personally think it's easier to remove and install the engine and transmission at the same time, but that's probably up for debate. The bellhousing bolts are a royal pain to get to on the 700R4, they might be easier on the TH350 but I doubt it.

If you do pull the transmission, or install the engine and transmission at the same time, make sure to cap the output shaft of the transmission (after draining it as best you can) or you'll dump fluid all over your engine bay. Again, ask me how I know this.

Like Biledriver, I also suggest leaving the 350 as it is if it's already running well. That way you can build up your choice of engine (mated to the T56 when you find that) over time while still having the car drivable.

Definitely post some pictures if you can!

 

Lol I have seen the light, and decided that I should probably get this car running before go and try to build an engine. But I do think I would like to go ahead and clean the 350 up and then repaint the block, Can I do this without completely tearing down the engine, maybe just masking off every opening and degreasing/cleaning the outside?

 

I'd say it depends on how clean you want to get it, and how much time you're willing to spend. When I had mine out I blocked off the intake and exhaust ports and gave it a quick clean with degreaser and a scrub brush to get the worst of it off. Took maybe 20 minutes (but I'll bet I shaved 5lbs off the front end).

You'll want to do a much more thorough degreasing job if you're going to paint it, but I think it could still be done without stripping the block down. Definitely make sure you've got all openings into the engine blocked off, you don't want to get road grime or paint in the engine.

I have a hazy memory of a thread where the guy used some block-off plates for painting. Bolted over a carb-style intake, exhaust ports, and water pump ports IIRC.

 

Will be looking forward to some photos of your engine swap. I too will be looking for an engine at some point as I bought mine with a toast engine.

There are so many high quality engine hoists available, what one are you thinking of using?

 

I'll have to post pictures as soon as I get them from my phone to my computer. I'm currently stalled out at the point of removing paint and the last of the grease from the block thanks to college starting.

 

Finally got some pictures to upload, this is the car as it sits right now, been awhile since, I've been on. I got all the lights and windows wired up, and have actually decided to go back to fuel injection because that is gonna be easier than fixing the previous owners hack job on the carburetor conversion.