Well today I just bought a late 80's T/A. It has a 305 back by an auto. The car is in great shape except that it has thrown a rod or something but I only paid $350 for it. I want to continue with the cheap budget so I plan on finding a older model 350 block and doing a budget build around it. I have vortec heads (cant remember #'s but I know theyre the good ones) so I will use those as my starting point. I plan on going with a stock bottom end so I just need some advice on the top end. I will try to source as many used parts as I can but the cam and lifters will be new. The stock vortec springs can handle lift up to somewhere around .500 ??? I would like a cheap cam and lifter suggestion that would compliment the vortecs and a 650DP carb....

If you have any pointers or things that I may need to add please feel free to comment. Thanks

 

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Any particular reason for using an older 350? Like, you already have one? Otherwise, might as well look for an '87-up 350.

Vortecs are decent heads, but lift is limited to .480" or less, and the springs should be assumed to need replacing with anything but a stock cam. With a Vortec Performer or Performer RPM intake, a Comp XE268 cam would make a good street performance match with a 650 DP.

Have you considered keeping the TPI?

 

Thank you

The main reason I was going to use an older carbed 350 was the fact that they are a dime a dozen around here and so are the parts. Also I would be the only one involved in the build that has any idea how fuel injection works. I havnt even looked under the hood of the car yet and I dont know for sure what year it is so I cant say for sure if it is TPI but would the 305 TPI equipment be able to supply enough fuel and air to a 350 without to much modification? Is there a cheap upgrade spring that would be a good idea for the vortecs?

 

Any automotive machine shop can sell you a set of so-called Z28 springs, and these are fine for the XE268 cam suggested above. '87 was the last year for the carbureted 305, so what year is your car? Are you sure it's a 305? the 350 came along in '87, with the same TPI intake parts as the 305.
Edelbrock makes the lower intake you would need to put the TPI on vortec heads.
How much power do you need? Are you sure you can't run the 305 for a while? You can put vortec heads on a 305. The TPI 305 came in 2 versions. A lower output version with auto trans, and a higher output version with 5-speed. The 5-speed cam would be great with a set of 1.6:1 rockers. I think it's the same roller cam used in the 350. But this requires the '87-up block.
The low-output cam is severely tiny in both lift and duration.
If your exhaust pipe just after the Y is 2 1/4 inches diameter, this will really keep a 350 from making more horses than the 305, however it's built. If your budget is tight, then let the 350 wait, and start with headers and exhaust with the 305.

 

I dont know the year and Im told that its a 305. The bottom end of the original motor is toast so there could be cylinder and or head damage. I am also considering doing a manual trans swap while I build if that makes any difference.

 

Okay, let's assume carb for the moment. There is absolutely no reason to settle for an older non-roller block just because you're doing carb. I'd suggest finding an '87-up 350 shortblock (or complete engine - just plan on using the heads for door stops or boat anchors). Get it out of a passenger car, and it'll have roller lifters which you can reuse. Don't go pansy on the cam, a Comp XR276HR has a 1900-5600 RPM power band with .502"/.510" lift.

For the heads, you can't beat this deal on Vortecs http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...RPMAirGap.aspx . Put a 650 DP Holley on top, and you'll have a great running engine.

If you go manual transmission, seriously consider a T56 from a '93-'97 f-body LT1.

Of course, now your rear end will become the weak link (and the 4th gen rears aren't any stronger).

 

or grab the lifters and "spider" fom any '87-'92 car 305.

 

So I got to take a good look at the car today in the sunlight and got to start it up. I am extremely happy with the shape of the car, the interior is near perfect and the exterior has a couple very minor dings that you really have to look for to find. For $350 cant go wrong. Its an 85 so it has a carbed 305 backed by a 700R4, Original motor and trans. Started it and it runs pretty smooth but there is a really loud knocking noise. The weird thing is that it doesnt sound like its coming from inside the engine......Its almost as if there is a pulley hitting something or maybe the ring gear dust cover or something. Ive heard dropped pistons and other internal damage and it doesnt sound the same. The sound also isnt very noticable when its in gear. I wont be picking the car up for a few days so until then I wont know for sure.

 

Check for loose torque converter to flexplate bolts, or flexplate to flywheel bolts.