I just bought my first f-body a 1984 firebird 305. The body needs a little work and my engine is a total dog. It only has 94000k on it and it is rock stock. Is it worth it to try and build up the 305 or should I get a 350. I spent most of my money on the car and have very little left to inject into making it faster so what can I do for cheap imideate gains. Also how can you tell if the odometer has been rolled back or tampered with cause this car seems to have more miles on the body than it shows. It runs alright until warmed up then it just stalls or putters out what could that be? Any help would be great!!
First of all welcome to the board.
I would definately start saving up for a 350. I find that building up the 305 will cost you more (depending on the mods) and in the end you will most likely still want the 350.
As for the odometer, the body can give you a clue that the odometer has been rolled back but living in Cochrane or anywhere in northern ontario will have a lot of road salt damage (rust) if the car was driven in the winter. A good sign of the odometer being rolled back is the interior, ie. does it look really worn for a car with 94000 or is the interior in fairly good shape. If it is in good shape than the odometer MAY be true, and the car just may be a victim of northern ontario road salt, or the paint may be oxidized from too much direct sunlight exposure ( mine has this problem.)
As for the poor running condition I would start with doing a tune up (plugs, wires, fuel filter etc.) if this hasn't already been done. But I would definately make sure the catalytic convertor isnt plugged up ( check to see if the convertor is glowing red when the car is warmed up, if it does than chances are your convertor is plugged.)This is best done at night.
I hope this was helpful and I'm postive the other members will give some advice as well.
I would definately start saving up for a 350. I find that building up the 305 will cost you more (depending on the mods) and in the end you will most likely still want the 350.
As for the odometer, the body can give you a clue that the odometer has been rolled back but living in Cochrane or anywhere in northern ontario will have a lot of road salt damage (rust) if the car was driven in the winter. A good sign of the odometer being rolled back is the interior, ie. does it look really worn for a car with 94000 or is the interior in fairly good shape. If it is in good shape than the odometer MAY be true, and the car just may be a victim of northern ontario road salt, or the paint may be oxidized from too much direct sunlight exposure ( mine has this problem.)
As for the poor running condition I would start with doing a tune up (plugs, wires, fuel filter etc.) if this hasn't already been done. But I would definately make sure the catalytic convertor isnt plugged up ( check to see if the convertor is glowing red when the car is warmed up, if it does than chances are your convertor is plugged.)This is best done at night.
I hope this was helpful and I'm postive the other members will give some advice as well.
Supreme Member
You could try for a 327 build up...but much more worth while to build up a 350 or 383.
And yes...welcome aboard.
And yes...welcome aboard.
Welcome to the board.
If I had a carb'd car I would probably do something silly like upgrade to a 400sbc with a decent cam and exhaust. No computers to worry about.
Stalling is probably the carb. They act up alot when they get old. But a decent tune is always gonna help. Wires, plugs, cap 'n rotor, etc. Take care of basics first to see if any problems go away.
RP.
If I had a carb'd car I would probably do something silly like upgrade to a 400sbc with a decent cam and exhaust. No computers to worry about.
Stalling is probably the carb. They act up alot when they get old. But a decent tune is always gonna help. Wires, plugs, cap 'n rotor, etc. Take care of basics first to see if any problems go away.
RP.
Junior Member
Hey man congrats on the "new" car, with a little time a little patience and some hard work you can have one hell of a ride. Just don't try to rush it to much or you might get stuck with somthin' you are not happy with. Mabe for now just get your car running good and work on cleaning up the body and interior until such time as you can afford a new engine or a major upgrades. It's a little easier on the pocket to buy a little each month. Just plan ahead what you want and then work a little each day to get there.
As for the stallin try the tune up special, cap,rotor, plugs, all filters, wires, pcv valve, etc... The previous post about the cat was a good one that was the culprit on one of my friends cars.
Good luck and have fun with the restore.
Oh yeah welcome aboard!!
As for the stallin try the tune up special, cap,rotor, plugs, all filters, wires, pcv valve, etc... The previous post about the cat was a good one that was the culprit on one of my friends cars.
Good luck and have fun with the restore.
Oh yeah welcome aboard!!
Supreme Member
welcome
most people will tell you to drop in a 350.
i will not. i will tell you to drop in something even bigger
but realy it depends on what you want to do with the car. that will be one of the biggest factors on what you do with it. the other...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. how may cubic dollars you want to spend.
how many Km's: there are some things that will give it away. like wear in the seats. or wear on the gas and break peddels. as well as on the shifter
rust under the door (on the bottom) and under the trunk lid
One of the beat ways is to see the under side 94K will have very little rust on the under side (if it was stored winters)
most people will tell you to drop in a 350.
i will not. i will tell you to drop in something even bigger
but realy it depends on what you want to do with the car. that will be one of the biggest factors on what you do with it. the other...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. how may cubic dollars you want to spend.
how many Km's: there are some things that will give it away. like wear in the seats. or wear on the gas and break peddels. as well as on the shifter
rust under the door (on the bottom) and under the trunk lid
One of the beat ways is to see the under side 94K will have very little rust on the under side (if it was stored winters)
Banned
Welcome to the board
Here is my advice... get stuff for the 305.. like intake, carb, headers... all that jaz.. Its not a waste, because it will all bolt onto a 350 if you decide to go that route later. Thats the fun of having a small block chevy.
Here is my advice... get stuff for the 305.. like intake, carb, headers... all that jaz.. Its not a waste, because it will all bolt onto a 350 if you decide to go that route later. Thats the fun of having a small block chevy.