This 84
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
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This 84
So I bought this 84 vette .last year for a project for my wife got it for 3000 ...not bad had been sitting for 8 yr in a barn on blocks ...started the tlc and she ran for about 30 min then started to smoke from passenger side head..I first thought it looked like just the valve cover seeping replace that still smoking oil smoke must be head gasket or blown head right??? I'm on a budget but not in a huge rush either ....I was given a 305 from a friend out of a 88 camaro, I know it will fit in but would you do the swap or not?? Will flywheel and acc bolt onto the 305 so there isn't anymore of a wiring headache than I already have?? Ps original motor in corvette 76000 with the crossfire ....Any thoughts??
Pro
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 547
Likes: 230
I'm going to advise you to think before you act here. Honestly if you can't figure out where smoke is coming from and why, then good luck ever accomplishing an engine swap. You need to either get someone to help you diagnose or spend a whole lot more time learning before you throw away your engine.
To answer your question though, no the '88 305 is not a direct bolt in, because it is a one piece RMS engine, while the '84 is a two piece RMS, so the flywheel/flex plate is different. And, no I wouldn't swap in a 305 anyway.
To answer your question though, no the '88 305 is not a direct bolt in, because it is a one piece RMS engine, while the '84 is a two piece RMS, so the flywheel/flex plate is different. And, no I wouldn't swap in a 305 anyway.
Last edited by vinco; Mar 17, 2023 at 06:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
I'm going to advise you to think before you act here. Honestly if you can't figure out where smoke is coming from and why, then good luck ever accomplishing an engine swap. You need to either get someone to help you diagnose or spend a whole lot more time learning before you throw away your engine.
To answer your question though, no the '88 305 is not a direct bolt in, because it is a one piece RMS engine, while the '84 is a two piece RMS, so the flywheel/flex plate is different. And, no I wouldn't swap in a 305 anyway.
To answer your question though, no the '88 305 is not a direct bolt in, because it is a one piece RMS engine, while the '84 is a two piece RMS, so the flywheel/flex plate is different. And, no I wouldn't swap in a 305 anyway.
....this is why you can always find cheap project cars....good intentioned motor swaps that never quite seem to get finished or the owner realizes they're in over their head..
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
You are seeing some smoke, and want to change the engine? 
What does the smoke smell like? Oil, or something rubber, or maybe an electrical wire? Or could it be steam from a coolant leak? Where is it coming from? If something is dripping on hot exhaust, THAT'S not where the problem is, it's upstream - where is the actual leak? A relatively cheap remote camera is a valuable tool to have on hand for looking under and behind things.
Take time and logic to find the problem and evaluate it, don't just throw parts (spelled "$$$$$") at it.
All that aside, welcome to the forum! You will find help and answers to anything you have to deal with, we love these cars and want to help. We're not trying to be rough on you, so relax, go back and get more information, and let us know more about what you are seeing. I can almost guarantee there will be a MUCH cheaper, quicker and easier fix than a motor swap.
What does the smoke smell like? Oil, or something rubber, or maybe an electrical wire? Or could it be steam from a coolant leak? Where is it coming from? If something is dripping on hot exhaust, THAT'S not where the problem is, it's upstream - where is the actual leak? A relatively cheap remote camera is a valuable tool to have on hand for looking under and behind things.
Take time and logic to find the problem and evaluate it, don't just throw parts (spelled "$$$$$") at it.
All that aside, welcome to the forum! You will find help and answers to anything you have to deal with, we love these cars and want to help. We're not trying to be rough on you, so relax, go back and get more information, and let us know more about what you are seeing. I can almost guarantee there will be a MUCH cheaper, quicker and easier fix than a motor swap.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Wow
Thank you to the ones that gave advice and thoughts apparently it's not a easy swap while a rebuild this original motor ..
For the @$$ holes I'm not gonna get mad ...I didn't give enough info I apologize
. So it's a oil leak seeping from head right above the exaust manifold, on the passenger side, no coolant in the oil or anything else, as for throwing parts at it it's a valve cover gasket it needed it no matter what....So history of car was owned by a marine mp from New moved to a new house 9 years ago on a dirt road didn't want to trash his baby so.he blocked her up in the barn duct taped the intake and every other hole he could find car cover over it and there it sat till I talk him into letting me buy it.... the years sitting did not do it any good ..I've got a whole list to fix ...any thoughts on the gauge cluster not working is there a replacement that's a plug and play and not lcd??
For the @$$ holes I'm not gonna get mad ...I didn't give enough info I apologize
. So it's a oil leak seeping from head right above the exaust manifold, on the passenger side, no coolant in the oil or anything else, as for throwing parts at it it's a valve cover gasket it needed it no matter what....So history of car was owned by a marine mp from New moved to a new house 9 years ago on a dirt road didn't want to trash his baby so.he blocked her up in the barn duct taped the intake and every other hole he could find car cover over it and there it sat till I talk him into letting me buy it.... the years sitting did not do it any good ..I've got a whole list to fix ...any thoughts on the gauge cluster not working is there a replacement that's a plug and play and not lcd??
Flatulent Dwarf
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 729
Likes: 84
From: Poverty Holler NC
Thank you to the ones that gave advice and thoughts apparently it's not a easy swap while a rebuild this original motor ..
For the @$$ holes I'm not gonna get mad ...I didn't give enough info I apologize
. So it's a oil leak seeping from head right above the exaust manifold, on the passenger side, no coolant in the oil or anything else, as for throwing parts at it it's a valve cover gasket it needed it no matter what....So history of car was owned by a marine mp from New moved to a new house 9 years ago on a dirt road didn't want to trash his baby so.he blocked her up in the barn duct taped the intake and every other hole he could find car cover over it and there it sat till I talk him into letting me buy it.... the years sitting did not do it any good ..I've got a whole list to fix ...any thoughts on the gauge cluster not working is there a replacement that's a plug and play and not lcd??
For the @$$ holes I'm not gonna get mad ...I didn't give enough info I apologize
. So it's a oil leak seeping from head right above the exaust manifold, on the passenger side, no coolant in the oil or anything else, as for throwing parts at it it's a valve cover gasket it needed it no matter what....So history of car was owned by a marine mp from New moved to a new house 9 years ago on a dirt road didn't want to trash his baby so.he blocked her up in the barn duct taped the intake and every other hole he could find car cover over it and there it sat till I talk him into letting me buy it.... the years sitting did not do it any good ..I've got a whole list to fix ...any thoughts on the gauge cluster not working is there a replacement that's a plug and play and not lcd??
later, Tiny
Pro
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 547
Likes: 230
I have the perfect meme for this, but I will refrain. In life it is probably better to not call people names who give you sound advice, even if that advice flies in the face of what you want to hear.
Also, on the digital cluster, my first C4 was a 1988. The digital cluster did not work in it when I got it, and I fixed it just by changing 4 little lightbulbs. This might work for you or it might not, but it's probably worth trying.
Also, on the digital cluster, my first C4 was a 1988. The digital cluster did not work in it when I got it, and I fixed it just by changing 4 little lightbulbs. This might work for you or it might not, but it's probably worth trying.
Last edited by vinco; Mar 24, 2023 at 12:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 32,990
Likes: 6,523
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
