Ok everyone, I am not sure if I should post this here or not. Anyway, my engine in my T/A is basically in need of retirement. I have talked with an engine shop about rebuilding my little old 305 TPI. They said they can do a complete tear down/rebuild for about 2 grand. I started talking with one of the engine builders about putting some more power in the 305 and he laughed and said that there was not a chance of doing that. He said my best option is to go with a 350 and put that in, that would be my cheapest option. That process would run me and extra grand to do that. I am in a dilema because my funds are a minimum right now with being a college student, but in reality I need a new engine, I can't even sell the car the way it is right now because I can't even get it to pass e-check. I think in the long run, the 350 will add more value to my car because there is nothing wrong with it except for the engine right now. So I am looking for some opinions, keep the 305 and only spend $2000 or go with the 350 and spend a little over $3000. Or my third option is to order a crate motor from GM. Any opinions would be great to hear.

 

Well, before the 305 guys get ahold of this thread, let me say this. You can make some killer power with a 305.

Get a 350. The average mod will make more power with a 350. Parts are more readily available for a 350. Don't hate me for saying it but a new rebuilt 350 is gonna be faster than the 305.

Now cost is of course a factor, and if you're gonna sell it anyway, maybe the 305 is a good choice.

 

I'm sorry, I was using "selling it" as an example because of the problems I am having with the engine because I couldn't sell it with the way it is right now, it won't pass E-check. Really I plan on keeping this car for a while, so I think I should have rephrased that. Down the road, I want to have some fun with my car (not really racing it) and if something does happen and I possibly need to sell it, won't the 350 make the car more valuable? I mean, the car as it is is in decent shape, only to get better. But if I am going to invest the money, shouldn't I do it right the first time, even though it may cost more?

 

Find yourself a 350 block and have your mechanic rebuild that. You should be able to get a core from a junkyard for a couple hundred bucks. Once you have that it will be no more expensive to rebuild that than your current 305. Hell a simple 350 crate engine isn't more than $1400. Put it in yourself.

 

Check out the parts for sale section. AC1LE is selling his 350 long block with 43k miles for $600. Pay a freight company a little bit to get it out to you from Vermont and have it installed.

That would be a great way to go.

 

Here is the link. I would have bought this had I not just sent mine to the machine shop. Definately seems to be a fair deal.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=282846

 

Heres a question why doesn't it pass e check . You be suprised how a little thing cause the e to fail , not the entire engine.

Dynodan

 

The reason the car didn't pass e-check was that there is massive blow-by in the cylinders. There are definitely other things wrong with the engine besides just that though. It definitely is getting wore out. I am the third owner and I have no idea how it was really driven in the past.
Also, here is the pricing for putting a new 350 block in: $800 for a 350 block with new cylinder heads, new manifold base and side tubes... the rest of the engine package costs $1250 (includes remachining some parts and using new parts)... and labor is $700. Does this sound reasonable?