ok, i have my motor(305tbi from a 91) out right now, and i am going to put it back in after i finish some swapping of parts. after going through page after page of searches this is what i came up with:

-put in the lt1 cam
-replace the valvesprings
-replace the timing chain
-strap on the edelbrock t.e.s. headers i have
-use the hell out of my dremel on anything that flows air/exhaust
-put on the edelbrock performer tbi intake

the engine has around 140k on it, what i am basically wondering is if there is anything else i should do while i have the sucker out.
also does anyone know if the engine will slide in ok with the headers on it?
any suggestion is welcome, provided it not a recommendation to swap it with a 350
i know its a kinduv open ended question, i just dont wanna miss something small...
thanks ahead of time

 

p.s. any idea of how it'll do?
2 weeks from now it'll have 3.42's in the rear, it only has a k&n open element and corvette servos in the auto tranny right now..
sorry, gotta get all this stuff off my mind...

 

probably good idea to replace allt he seals. Youll be covering most of the bases when you do your work but its a good idea to replace the teh oil pan gasket and the rear main seal while your at it. Nothing sucks worse then haveing an oil leak after your done. And of coarse lets not forget to do all the basic stuff like new hoses, new water pump, flush the cooling system, clean the tbi and what not.

 

If its out you minus well do bearings and rings. You're not going to be putting down massive amounts of hp, so the autozone Clevette (sp?) bearings and Hastings Moly rings should be fine. Its a pretty simple job if you have someone there that's done it before. Aucutally it was probably the most fun part of rebuilding the engine How cool is plastigague?!

 

Yeah just remember to replace gaskets, the cooling system (hoses, radiator, etc.) and you should be set....

 

i just added some stuff to my shopping list, thanks for the input... i have a new radiator and water pump to put on already, but i think i'll spring for the hoses and gaskets/seals now.. i dunno about opening up the bottom end, i have to drive it across country the middle of next month (virginia or bust!! literally!) and i know the bottom end is sound, so i dont wanna mess with a good thing. cant wait to light 'em up with the fresh engine!

 

140k is a lot of mileage on those bearings. If engine is out I would recommend at least replacing them and the oil pump. Rings won't leave you stranded like a seized bearing.

But if it were my car, basic rings and bearings are CHEAP. It just requires a little installation work.

When done your car should close to a stock L98 car. It won't out run a stock LT1 but you will at least be able to keep in sight of him.

If you can put a 95+ 4.3L S10 torque converter (2000 stall) or 2500 stall in. That will help out the bottom end your going to loose with the LT1 cam swap and should put you really close to stock LT1 times with proper tuning. IE: WINALDL.

 

oh boy... i dunno ... im gonna hafta have someone close this thread... if i keep listening to you guys im gonna end up replacing the whole engine but i guess that was the point, huh?
really tho, brharris, thanks for info. i think i'll just get the cheap beer and eat nothin but ramen noodles for the next month. replacing the bearings and oil pump sounds like a good idea (the thought of: my luck+cross coutry trip+140k mile engine=stranded in the middle of nowhere..).
i might as well do the whole kit-and-kaboodle... i'll just have to see if this poor army guy can fund the growing shopping list

oh btw, does anybody know where i can sell a kidney?

 

i woudl say if your oil pressure is good then the bearings and pump are good. if the oil pressure is jumpy you will wanna replace the pump and if it is just low all the time then the bearing may be wearing ro the pump may just be beat. a good safety move woudl be to replace the pump.
putting fresh gaskets on the oil pan and timing cover is a good idea cause if you release them after that much time to gether they are not likely to ever seal again. our gaskets are supposed to last forever, but they dry out just liek every other gasket will once removed. that is not a big deal though, they are pretty cheap.

later
tim