some may remember i posted a few months back about my rebuilt 350 being dunked from flooding from superstorm sandy. Since this happened, i put a breaker bar on the crank, got it to turn over (so i know the motor isnt seized) and my father came up with the idea to fill the motor with diesel fuel till it covered even up to the top of the rockers (his thinking is that diesel fuel is the closest relative to motor oil, yet the viscosity of it allows it to soak into the tiny creveces).

This summer we intend on pulling the motor apart and rebuilding it. in his opinion from being a mechanic for 20+ years is the most damaged parts will be only the bearings, and the rest of the motor will likely be easily salvaged due to the diesel fuel trick.

I plan on proposing to my g/f soon, and money is super tight since we bought a house about a year ago, and i already work 3 jobs to make the bills. How much do you think rebuilding the motor ourselves will cost, assuming it doesnt need to be machined to get any rid of any surface rust?

 

If it was in salt water it will definitely have some rust that will need to be addressed at an unknown cost. Just assuming all you need is bearings and gaskets i'd say you'd be into it for $200-$250.

 

oh ok, thats a lot better than i was thinking. i was thinking 500 atleast. hope to start pulling it apart soon and taking a look at it. I know putting the motor in WILL cost money even though im doing it at home myself....what do you think that'll be my cost of putting it in? keeping in mind i have a 305 right now, i know the overflow tank needs to change for one, but i cant think of much more off hand right now

 

Once you open the engine up you'll know more about how much it will take to fix it. Could be a $1000-$2000 or more. You won't know until you tear it down. I need more info on the setup before I can say what needs changed. Are you staying fuel injected or going carb? Is the 350 a 1 piece or 2 piece rms and so on. BTW, why do you need to change the overflow?

 

well its a 350 TPI out of a wrecked z28, the guy had no idea what year, he was given the car and rebuilt the motor to sell. when i had it in my yard, it still had no oil, so the whole thing filled with salt water, it was washed down and filled with diesel a few days later. areas i could see had a little surface rust on it (top of the rocker).

and the overflow tank is because every thirdgen with a 350 has a different size overflow tank, it also trades places with the battery

 

Swapping the overflow, and switching places with the battery doesn't need to be done, besides I don't even think that is true. You will need the knock sensor for the 350 and the ecm or have your prom changed to a 350. Are the injectors still with the 350?

 

"the overflow tank is because every thirdgen with a 350 has a different size overflow tank, it also trades places with the battery"


Definitely not true.

 

every thirdgen i've ever seen with a 350 tpi has the battery on the pass side, and overflow on driver's side, the overflow is also much larger than the one i have currently for the 305. this is just the observation i've noticed.

and no, the 350 didnt come with injectors, i need to get the computer fixed up for the 350. also i'm pretty certain the 305 has a knock sensor already, i'm assuming it cant be used on the 350 though?

 

There are no visible differences between a 305 and a 350 engine bay. The 305 knock sensor won't work and you will need bigger injectors for the 350.

 

i googled it, and all the photos show the engine bays looking the same as you said....i wonder why all the ones i've seen in person around here are switched around then, and why they said they HAD to do it...

and i take it if the 350 came with a knock sensor its probably no good from the salt water? i want to add power to this motor with as many bolt ons as i can (like the new cam i'll be putting in it), can i do anything with the fuel injectors to add some power? i mean since i have to buy all new ones, i'll pay a little extra if i have to for more power.

 

I don't know why they've swapped things around but you won't need to. As far as changing the knock sensor that will be up to you based on how corroded the old one is. Also unless your going forced induction you won't need bigger injectors. For a full bolt on 350 just grab some 22# or 24# injectors.

 

gotcha thanks! so thinking other than when rebuilding the motor, the knock sensor and the fuel injectors will probably be the only items i need to purchase?