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Post by jeffery on Sept 23, 2007 9:24:47 GMT -5
I have a 85 chevy silverado with a 305ci engine. Its a real gas hog. The tranny is a 700. I am thinking of replacing the motor with a 350 chevy. Where would you recommend I get a new engine. Can someon give me some suggestions of sources. I am looking for better gas mileage. I live in Phoenix. Are the chevy Goodwrence motors the best way to go? Are they a 4 bolt main motor? Any info on pricing would also help. Jeffery
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Post by BowtieGuy on Sept 23, 2007 20:40:47 GMT -5
A lot of it all depends on just how much you want to spend on a new engine. I know if your like the most of us it is as little as possible. GM Goodwrench engines in my opinion is the best way to go. For gas they offer a 290 horse long block. The price will vary depending on where you get it from. Here in N.C. i can get one from the Chevy dealership for about 1800 bucks. The 383 long block would be good for gas mileage too. The extra torque it produces will allow you to stay off the gas pedal more if you can resist. I personally have a $700 replacement engine in my truck from the local parts house. It's about a 240 horse engine with low compression but it has served me well for about 5 years now. Something to keep in mind when trying to get better gas mileage, most of the performance parts for engines make the engine run more efficient which in return makes more power, but at the same time will produce better gas mileage also.
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Post by reiners81chevy on Sept 25, 2007 20:47:23 GMT -5
I agree. It all depends on how much you can afjunky a$$ f@#d. If you want and have the knowledge. I would try to go with fuel injection to get more mileage out of your truck. You can use the 350 motor out of a 88-98 truck or SUV. But obviously that would take alot of work to do. I am going to put a TPI setup off of a IROC Camaro on my dads truck. We are going to try to get as much all motor power out of it and as much mileage as we can. It'll take some work but Im sure with a little time and effort we can get it done.
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Post by cstephl on Oct 10, 2007 14:49:04 GMT -5
Jeffery I recently replaced the original 305 in my 85 C1500 w/ a GM goodwrench 350. The goodwrench engine made the most sense for me because it was reasonably priced ($1800) and brand new w/ a warranty. I wanted a stocker w/ good fuel economy. It gets approx 15 mpg on the hiway. I also bought a new radiator (recommended by GM) and a 350 harmonic damper. Also replaced a bunch of other parts such as belts, hoses, fuel pump, ignition components that were not absolutely req'd but it was the right time to replace them. I have never heard anything bad about these goodwrench engines and the seem to be very popular for a stock engine replacement/rebuild.
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Post by BowtieGuy on Oct 11, 2007 20:28:18 GMT -5
I think i posted something on swapping 305 to a 350 in here before but just as a refresher, when swapping out for a 350 from a 305 you will NEED to change the starter and change the timing curve in the distributor for sure. The 305 uses a low torque starter where the 350 needs a high torque. The timing curves are also a little different. Now depending on the year of the engine removed and the engine going back in there may e other things that need changing as well. If this is the case and you want more info I can post this for you too if you let me know the years of both. This applies to any engine even 350 to 350.
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Post by cstephl on Oct 13, 2007 22:07:45 GMT -5
Bowtie Guy I put the '85 305 starter and distributor on my new 350. No problems so far, my distributor has almost all new components in it. What is the downside of using the 305 starter and distributor? The starter seems to work OK.
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Post by BowtieGuy on Oct 14, 2007 7:17:13 GMT -5
Most 305's use a low torque starter where 350's need a high torque starter. The distributor housing is the same for all small blocks and even big blocks, the difference is the timing curve. If you have all new components inside your then you probably have a different timing curve also.
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Post by Pontiac1976 on Oct 14, 2007 7:35:13 GMT -5
Most 305 older(80'sh) starter have the same starter & some of the new (89'sh)the bigger starter. It really depended on the flex-plate(flywheel) for the Auto's there is a 152 tooth witch is used mostly on 305 some V6, and the 168 tooth witch is used mostly on 350 some 305. The other thing is the block may not have the Ear ( starter bolting pad set up for both some times, then again it will) set up for both starter bolt pattern or only one type most can be drilled tapped ( in the truck or car you have to make sure it lined up perfect, or you can have some problems with the starter. Not working or jamming on /off sticking not letting the starter gear engage far enough. So it work not bad at first then wear a little then does not touch at all. )Oh they have starter shim some times bad ears or starter lots of re-cores on them or Flex-plate Wear.
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Post by BowtieGuy on Oct 15, 2007 13:16:31 GMT -5
The bar coming out the back side of the sileniod is what I am referring to. I may be wrong but I was told the longer bar version is a high torque and the short bar version is a low torque.
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Post by bowtiemuscle1971 on Apr 24, 2008 20:06:32 GMT -5
I have a 1981 Chevy C10 Scottsdale with a 250 I-6 and a TH350. What would all would i need to do a 350 engine swap? a hate the I-6. It's definitely a piece.
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Post by itsanss on Nov 5, 2010 21:27:21 GMT -5
I just bought a rebuilt 350 (355c.i.) from local Advance Auto Parts. $1,500 WITH core $1,700 WITHOUT core. 3 year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Even though you're going to a bigger engine, like BowtieGuy said, a more efficient engine will have more power (obviously) but better mileage to boot.
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