Kool pictures of Mustang six-pack. . . .  Now that's what sculpture/art should look like ! 

Now for my delema, I have a '84 El Camino SS with a 305HO motor . . . As it needs new valve guides/seals, {after 225K miles } I figured while it's apart, to rebuild or replace this engine. . . . I want to stay with the 305 as it's a "squirty" little motor and as I like to carve corners on my local back roads here in semi rural Maryland it's more responsive than a 350  . . .

Years ago, Car Craft did a hop- up on 305's and then 350's in the next issue using basically the same parts. . .  I put the 305 issue somewhere for future reference and guess what ?

Does anyone make remanufactured 305's or is there some way to get a copy of this many years ago article?  And lastly, I have never been able to find any material on rebuilding just 305's, everything is about 350's. . .  I don't want another 350, etc. . . . .

Also, can a 305 be reconfigured into something similar to a 327, a serious ass kickin' motor of my youth. . . .

New guy

I don't know what you're trying to do by rationalizing your choice of such a poor engine, throttle response is effected by many things (even other than the engine)and is interpretated differently by everyone so to me it is not means to drop 100 Hp. I guess if you're dirt-poor and don't care about power you can keep the 305 but don't expect miracles, a decent bone-stock 350 out of a scrapyard will more than likely make more power.

Everything that is applied to a 350 can be applied to a 305, just with worse results.

A 305 never will be similiar in power production to a 327. The 305 has a bore approximately a quarter of an inch smaller (3.736" vs 4.0" and a stroke approximately a quarter of an inch longer (3.48" vs 3.25". 305's cannot be bored out to a 350 size either, as a common myth states, the lightweight, smog castings are just to thin.

                                                                                     ~Gibs

All you will need is a good set of hyperutectic pistons, 350 rods w/ good bolts and then have it balanced,world product 305 tourquer heads  that's where all the power is going to be made and then around a 270* advertised duration hydralic cam with a good dual plane intake topped off by a 600 vac. secondary carb. You will be plesantly suprised with the results.

$1300 bucks will get a new goodwrench 350 with 250 HP out of the box. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. Thats easily upgraded with a cam, intake, and such. I installed one of these in my buddys 66 p/u. It was cheaper than rebuilding in worn out 283.  And, it runs fantastic.

Just an alternative idea.

Thanks GMC90,  I'll check out your suggestions. . . Bye the bye, re:GMC-are you into six cylinder Jimmy's by any chance?

It always amazes me when people try to talk me out of 305's. . .   I have had 3 of them ,starting with a '79 Caprice Classic. . . . All 0f these engines were strong enough to cruise all day { literally} at 70+mph , get 18 to 22 mpg and with a few suspension mods done,  let me go at speed in any terrain in the East half of the U.S. . . 

While working for Triumph Motorcycles of America I have worn out a bunch of 350 engined cars, Monte Carlos' , Impala's , etc.  have had built 350's and could have swapped a strong RV cammed 4 bolt main , 4 barrel 350 I already had into my El-C when I first got it 15 years ago. . .  Or go the crate 350ci/250/350hp route. . . .  But the car is just too light in the rear end  for too much torque. . . .  I can spin the wheels now, with positraction in the dry , so how much 'power' do I really need ?

The 305 makes for a very well balanced vehicle and I now can overdrive my abilities/eyesight much too easily anymore. . . . .

Anyone with an overpowered car is welcome to come to Maryland and chase me though the off camber twisty's in the wet. . . . If I really want to go fast I'll get out my Old Triumph Triple. . . .  Then I know you ain't gonna catch me !

There's more than one way to do most things. . . .

Barn

Of course a 305 is a fine street cruiser, shoot, a six cylinder can do that but for someone with even SOME expectations as to the performance of the car you shouldn't be putting money into a 305, some bone-stock camaro or mustang will hand you your ass.

The 305 really only has value if it is already a good running motor, and you have no money to replace it.  Since yours is already junk...you might as well replace it.  But, since you are as hard headed as I once was with a 305 (mine a TPI that I dumped way too much money in), here is a site listing steps needed to make a whopping 290HP on a fairly steep budget in my mind...

http://www.goingfaster.com/spo/290hp305.html

I've seen a 305 make 400HP...but I personally have never seen more.  Carcraft did a buildup where they made about 300HP...but again...big bucks.  One of the articles I've seen make 400HP had to run the thing up to 7200RPM to do it...really big bucks...

It is seriously NOT worth it.  When you can buy a completely new 350 for what...2 grand...its it really worth it?  If you want to be different, you need to start by buying something other than a Chevy or Ford...fact is, everything "different" has already been done unless you gots a ton of money...not to mention when you open the hood...its still a small block chevy...no one knows the difference so its really just how you view it in your head.  

The reason there are no performance articles on a 305 is because it is a 350 with smaller bores and more restrictive heads...and like someone else said...they cannot be bored out to an acceptable bore.  It really is a worthless performance motor.  Everyone says this for a reason...not just for the fun of it...and I have personal experience trying to make a 305 motor fast...it doesn't work...not for the money.

Have fun...

These comments made me realize that the 'demographic's' here are toward all out performance. . .  I like my 305HO motor and it isn't thrashed, trashed or bashed. . . . It just needs attention and if I'm going to do the heads, I might as well do the rest of the motor at the same time, since it is high mileage. . . .   

I have explored the 350 crate motor idea, but two major problems. . .  One, is the people at Apple Chevrolet in York, Pa. where I can get the crate engine, said by the time I made the switch correctly, I'd have $6K in the swap. . . That's more than the El-C's worth. . . .   And two, it's a horse farm duty truck, along with my F150 4X4 and is used to haul hay and sometimes, 2+ tons of horses in a trailer. . . .  And contrary to some opinions expressed here, does it very well. . . . . 

 My F150 is a 302ci 4X and it has absoulutely zero problems pulling these big horses around except for frying 2 gear in a 'for ####' auto transmission. . . .  Now that's something that does need to be replaced !

I need a good 'go fer ' vehicle and the El Camino is wonderful for this and is still fun to drive fast through the tight turns around here. . .  I just want a LITTLE MORE GRUNT,  not a street racer. . . .

But having said all that, THANKS FOR THE INPUT !  I did find I can get a remanufactured stage 2 motor from Jasper now. . . .  That's probably the best way to go !

Barn

I'm not going to argue with your decision...I've already stated my opinion on that...but just wanted to let you know the people at Apple Chevrolet are probably quoting you what THEY would charge to do the swap...either that or they are complete morons.  For example...in the october carcraft issue...on page 32 you will find a complete (like everything you need except the car to drop it in) 350 with a 12 month 12000 mile warranty for 3119.95.  Add in the cost of a cherry picker for a weekend, and your looking at absolute top dollar of 3500.  And this is for a motor that has everything, including a serpentine belt system, alternator, powersteering pump, water pump, distributor, intake, carb, aircleaner, plugs, wires, valvecovers, oil pan, flywheel, and for an extra $200 AC...ALL of that can be transferred over from your 305.  

From sdpc2000.com
PN 10067353   350 that you could transfer all your 305 stuff over from...$1,439.00 + $100 core that you'd have to pay...it also comes with a 36 month...100,000 mile warranty.

PN 10067353KIT   350 with some goodies that might be nice...$2,095.95 + $100 core that you'd have to pay...again it also comes with a 36 month...100,000 mile warranty.

Actually...from GM the 305 costs more...slightly...bout $400

Just because everyone recommends a 350 doesn't mean we are all out performance...think about it this way...a front wheel drive four door sedan in the Impala is available with a 300 HP engine...a four door family sedan in the Charger RT is available with either 340, or 425 HP (for the SRT8)...300HP is nothing anymore...imports are getting that with their little six cylinders...and the 350 I listed above is 250HP...not what I would call all out performance...but much healthier than a 305.  For that 6 grand you were quoted you could easily buy a crate motor to put out 425+HP  Or build your own to put out 500+HP.

Definitely your call...but six grand is rediculous unless they are quoting you for their labor...even then its a bit much.  Find a better dealership...at least a better service department.

Good luck with the new 305...hope it serves you well

Definitely your call...but six grand is rediculous unless they are quoting you for their labor...even then its a bit much. Find a better dealership...at least a better service department.

     SIX GRAND!!? Someone there is smoking some serious crack! After reading the thread, it looks like you don't want alot more power.. then why not run a STOCK 350? It would be more reliable, and produce more HP and torque while remaining completely reliable. I've had my share of 305's.. and tried to hop them up a *** the results were disappointing, to say the least. All your external parts will interchange and bolt straight on to the 350. Hell, even a stock GM goodwrench 350 replacement motor is under 1500. You might want to even try the big chain auto parts stores for a bone stocker, they have warranties as well...  ..... six big ones.... un-freaking-believeable!

value wise:you cannot beat a goodwrench 350..percieved value is a whole other thing....

but if your heart is set on 305...at least go 334....

powerhouse has 334 kits CHEAP...

nosnerd

Stroke it! 335 ci  

Great idea!

305's have a detonation problem to begin with so you're going to increase the compression to 10:1 or higher with iron heads and try to run pump fuel, good luck!

The 305's allowable valve size has been maxed out at 1.94", you don't increase the stroke in hopes of more power if your breathing capacity is all used up...

Go ahead and stroke the engine if you want to spend money for nearly nothing in return, infact I'm sure it would probably even lower your fuel economy and make a engine that would give up at 4500 RPM

haha yep rusty high mileage fox body mustang gonna spank ya. But lets get real here guys there are more ppl building(and getting decent power out of) 305's.  Got a friend who built a 305 TBI motor outta a 92 GMC truck, edelbrock TBI intake, crane cam, headers, homebuilt and ported heads yadda yadda yadda, rebuilt the 700 R4, dumped it in his 68 beaumont, hooked up the truck computer, made some adjustments and it runs like a charm, runs hard sounds unbeliveable and gets 24 mpg at 70 with 3.73 gears.

i say do what u want.

Yeah, if you have some money burning a hole in your pocket and want to be "different" then by all means go for it.