Not sure if this is the right forum for this question or not. since we are restoring this car I will post it here. Son and I have a 84 Trans am in bad shape we bought for $50 to restore for him when he gets his liscense in 3 years. We got the engine running lst night but it has a very bad rod know in it. It is a 305 with a carb. Seller told us about the noise so we were not surprised but for $50 what can yo uexpect? Now comes the decision. Do we rebuld the one in the car or buy a crate engine to stick in it? either way I am wanting it to remain stock for now. I am doing the project to help my son learn about cars and mechanical things in hopes to pursuade him to pursue mechanical enigineering. Since I used to be a Mechanic in a Pontiac Dealership rebuilding would not be that big of a deal but it sure would be easier to drop in a crate. So, what I am looking for are your opinions. Do we rebuild or drop in a crate?

Thanks,

 

that should read the engine has a rod knock in it not the engine has a rod know in it.

Sorry,

 

If you want to keep the car stock, and you want your son to learn as much as possible about auto mechanics, rebuild the original motor.

 

Agreed but for the same price or cheaper you could rebuild a 350. Thats just something to think about.

 

Yup nothing like rebuilding to learn the most, currently on my first and I have learned more from that, then anything the net can throw at ya.

Also the point for rebuilding a 350 is vary valid, cost wise it will be the same if not cheaper then rebuilding the 305..

I vote rebuild but a 350 instead.

 

:werd: with the 350, but beware 16 yr old kids with a 350 tend to get into a little trouble

 

I wish we had a standing ovation smiley. But I can at least give you this:



We need more parents like you in the world who will make time for their kids. I applaud you.

Now as far as the engine is concerned. Unless you are building concours correct, I would take the recommendation above. Build a 350. You can bring your son to the pick 'n pull to get the core in order to familiarize him with the prospect of pulling a motor and give him a bit of experience before doing the important one. There are also kits available from companies such as PAW if you are time constrained for parts selection, however, I would look into assembling the parts supply myself. HTH.

 

If its going to be a high end restoration, then sure spend the extra money and do a rebuild on the 305, however if it were me I'd drop in a 350 since no one will ever know its not the original 305 if you do it right...

I wouldn't go with a crate motor though unless I had a lot of disposable cash to put in the project. A good core 350 can be had for very little, but then again finding one that fits your needs can be a little difficult.

Either way its not going to matter much in the long run, go with whichever path seems more interesting to you.

 

I think I might just look into rebuilding it. I would rather put a 350 in it but for his first car it might be better for him to have the 305. That is the great part of being a father, getting to play with your kids toys. It is just that as they get older the toys get bigger I told him he could have a car that is the nicest one on the lot or one that is the junkiest on the lot depending on how much work he was willing to do. He is real excited about it and we try to get out to the shop and do something on it every night. You should have seen his face when it finally started

Thanks for the ideas and I am sure I will be back with a lot more questions. One thing, if I swap to a 350 can I get y with just swappin gout the Prom as well? Personally I would like to get rid of the smog and computer stuff while we are under the hood.

Bob

 

Howdy fellow hoosier...

For a first car, I would stick with the 305... It has plenty of power for him to get stupid with. Make sure you get him on a dragstrip if he wants to race.

The stock 305 in my 87 is enough to bark the tires and get the rear-end moving sideways when it shifts. And that's with it either having a bad lifter or rod/bearing knock.

 

like everyone else i tihnk rebuilding what you have would be the way to go.
also have to agree with RD, doing something with your kids is a great way to teach them as well as keep them out of trouble. my own son is in and out of jail several times a week and has been for several years now. i think working for the sheriff department has something to do with that.

 

That is strange. My boss's dad was a police officer and his brother was always in trouble with the law. I don't get it.

Back on topic, another option would be to get a high end (LS6?) to drop in there from a junkyard, but I agree lots of power with teens is not a good thing (how did I ever survive those years?).

Maybe sticking to the 305 is a good idea. You could always say it is a "numbers matching" car. I'd like to drop a high performace engine in my "mostly daily driver" GTA with a 305 5 speed, but the current motor only has 74K, and the oil stays very clean (no blow-by).

Getting a bigger motor might chew up more gas, and you might have to upgrade the tranny, the computer, etc.

I'm a little puzzled as to why people say rebuilding a 350 is cheaper. Could someone explain why? Are parts for the 350 more common or available?

Also, is there reliability benifits by using one or the other, like thicker cylinder walls?

 

parts are more common and less expensive...

 

That was good.


Hoosier Bob, don't worry too much about the difference in power between the 305 and 350. That's why MSD made pellets!! Just limit the thing to whatever RPM you'd like. Also, you could probably have no probs with the computer.