Question on 84 engine swap
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: ilion ny
definately pays to look up the casting #s i have a lil book i bought somewheres that has them all blocks heads and i believe other parts as well. even tells ya if the motor is a 2 or 4 bold main lots of good info in it. keep looking and watch the newspaper there always seems to be a chevy motor in the paper every so often. if you know where to find casting #s on the net look at the motor and write the #s down and check it out before ya purchase the motor just to be sure you dont get wamboozled again. at least the guy ya got it from was decent possable he didnt know it was a 305. i hope you told him it was so he doesnt misinform someone else.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
definately pays to look up the casting #s i have a lil book i bought somewheres that has them all blocks heads and i believe other parts as well. even tells ya if the motor is a 2 or 4 bold main lots of good info in it. keep looking and watch the newspaper there always seems to be a chevy motor in the paper every so often. if you know where to find casting #s on the net look at the motor and write the #s down and check it out before ya purchase the motor just to be sure you dont get wamboozled again. at least the guy ya got it from was decent possable he didnt know it was a 305. i hope you told him it was so he doesnt misinform someone else.
But he said the entire truck only had 31,000 miles on it when it was wrecked.
The motor is definitely a 305 according to the casting number. So I think this guy was taken when he bought the truck.
Either way, I'll be taking it back to him sunday (he's getting married saturday) because he's tied up with the wedding plans this week.
I'm still looking for another motor, but I keep thinking maybe I should drop the pan on the L83 and see what damage is done.
Might be fixable considering the bearing spun trying to start it, and not while it was running.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
305
why not use the 305, and leisurely rebuild your 350? then when in a couple years, you can swap the 350 back in and it will take you a ton less time because you will have the experience of doing it once.
you even said you didn't care if the engine had 200 horse, that's probably what the 305 has anyway.
besides, dimensionally, it's the same, and will fit in it, and get you running inside of a week.
and you get all the accessories with it that fit the 350 and the engine for $160. talk him down to $125 while you got the chance. I say go with the 305 for now.
a rebuilt starter will cost you at least $55 bucks, and you get the alternator, worth $50, etc. think of the bright side.
even if you decide the 305 is not for you, paint it, and sell it for $200 to someone with a 305 camaro, and keep the accessories.............after you buy it for $125
you even said you didn't care if the engine had 200 horse, that's probably what the 305 has anyway.
besides, dimensionally, it's the same, and will fit in it, and get you running inside of a week.
and you get all the accessories with it that fit the 350 and the engine for $160. talk him down to $125 while you got the chance. I say go with the 305 for now.
a rebuilt starter will cost you at least $55 bucks, and you get the alternator, worth $50, etc. think of the bright side.
even if you decide the 305 is not for you, paint it, and sell it for $200 to someone with a 305 camaro, and keep the accessories.............after you buy it for $125
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Jun 5, 2007 at 05:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
why not use the 305, and leisurely rebuild your 350? then when in a couple years, you can swap the 350 back in and it will take you a ton less time because you will have the experience of doing it once.
you even said you didn't care if the engine had 200 horse, that's probably what the 305 has anyway.
besides, dimensionally, it's the same, and will fit in it, and get you running inside of a week.
you even said you didn't care if the engine had 200 horse, that's probably what the 305 has anyway.
besides, dimensionally, it's the same, and will fit in it, and get you running inside of a week.
I even thought of using my '85 Trans Am, which is a 305/210hp,as an engine 'donor' car, but decided I'd be better off selling the TA to have money for other things I am going to need.
I probably won't get much for the TA because it needs restoring too. It runs good but needs new valve seals,oil pump and probably bearings.
And it's getting pretty rusty. I'd rather spend the time and money on the vette.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
and you get all the accessories with it that fit the 350 and the engine for $160. talk him down to $125 while you got the chance. I say go with the 305 for now.
a rebuilt starter will cost you at least $55 bucks, and you get the alternator, worth $50, etc. think of the bright side.
even if you decide the 305 is not for you, paint it, and sell it for $200 to someone with a 305 camaro, and keep the accessories.............after you buy it for $125
a rebuilt starter will cost you at least $55 bucks, and you get the alternator, worth $50, etc. think of the bright side.
even if you decide the 305 is not for you, paint it, and sell it for $200 to someone with a 305 camaro, and keep the accessories.............after you buy it for $125
So, no starter, no alternator or PS pump and a broken distributor. Although the water pump was still there and was a 'reverse flow' one.
If it had been a 350, it still would have been a good deal though.
Last edited by Keystring; Jun 5, 2007 at 05:13 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: ilion ny
Funny thing about that. He conveniently 'forgot' he sold the other parts off the motor when he ran the ad.
So, no starter, no alternator or PS pump and a broken distributor. Although the water pump was still there and was a 'reverse flow' one.
If it had been a 350, it still would have been a good deal though.
So, no starter, no alternator or PS pump and a broken distributor. Although the water pump was still there and was a 'reverse flow' one.
If it had been a 350, it still would have been a good deal though.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
My first clue should have been all the rust on the block from being out doors. I was concerned it was 'stuck' but we were able to turn the crank by hand, with no problem and I didn't see any rust in the exhaust or intake.
Like I said. Had this been a 350/4 bolt engine, $160 would still have been a good deal.
Now that I know about checking the casting numbers I won't ever be making that mistake again. No matter WHAT anyone tells me.
needless to say bring that hunk of junk back to him and never go back.
Last edited by Keystring; Jun 6, 2007 at 10:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
other option
You say your 305 transam engine is bad. I would make a wooden engine stand, and plop this 305 on it, and borrow an intake and carb, and run it. If it is better than the trans-am 305, I'd do a transplant, and you could always tell the person that you sell it to that it has a different engine, and you would be willing to sell the original engine with the car.
just another option................
just another option................
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
PeteK might still have a bare 89 350 roller block with main caps for sale...PM him...
this is a perfect time to get a bare block and build a monster motor for this thing...trust me...
i can also send some engine builds from desktop dyno 2000 of some budget builds for 350 based motors if you have the program. if not i can hook you up
this is a perfect time to get a bare block and build a monster motor for this thing...trust me...
i can also send some engine builds from desktop dyno 2000 of some budget builds for 350 based motors if you have the program. if not i can hook you up
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
You say your 305 transam engine is bad. I would make a wooden engine stand, and plop this 305 on it, and borrow an intake and carb, and run it. If it is better than the trans-am 305, I'd do a transplant, and you could always tell the person that you sell it to that it has a different engine, and you would be willing to sell the original engine with the car.
just another option................
just another option................
I just don't want to put any time or effort into that car. I'd rather sell it 'as is' and use the money to fix the vette.
Like I said earlier. I'm limited on the amount of money I can spend and plan on doing this a little at a time. Engine first, then motors, switches and solenoids. It's going to be a long process.
The engine is just the starting point and I can do all the work myself, so paying a mechanic is not happening.
This isn't my first project. I had a 67 Firebird 400 when I was 21 and I tore the whole car apart and put it back together, Including rebuilding the engine.And I managed to get it done in one summer.(had a lot of energy then) Ran like a raped ape when It was done.
Of course, that was over 37 years ago, so this project is going to be a little slower...Actually... a lot!
Time and money are just not on my side with this one.
Oh well. At least I can say I owned a corvette. Even if I never drive it!
Last edited by Keystring; Jun 7, 2007 at 09:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
The Trans Am engine actually runs fine. It's just that it smokes when you start it, or smokes when it's been idling a while. Also the lifters lose oil at idle once the engine warms up. Lifters pump back up if you gun it or just drive it.
I just don't want to put any time or effort into that car. I'd rather sell it 'as is' and use the money to fix the vette.
Like I said earlier. I'm limited on the amount of money I can spend and plan on doing this a little at a time. Engine first, then motors, switches and solenoids. It's going to be a long process.
The engine is just the starting point and I can do all the work myself, so paying a mechanic is not happening.
This isn't my first project. I had a 67 Firebird 400 when I was 21 and I tore the whole car apart and put it back together, Including rebuilding the engine.And I managed to get it done in one summer.(had a lot of energy then) Ran like a raped ape when It was done.
Of course, that was over 37 years ago, so this project is going to be a little slower...Actually... a lot!
Time and money are just not on my side with this one.
Oh well. At least I can say I owned a corvette. Even if I never drive it!
I just don't want to put any time or effort into that car. I'd rather sell it 'as is' and use the money to fix the vette.
Like I said earlier. I'm limited on the amount of money I can spend and plan on doing this a little at a time. Engine first, then motors, switches and solenoids. It's going to be a long process.
The engine is just the starting point and I can do all the work myself, so paying a mechanic is not happening.
This isn't my first project. I had a 67 Firebird 400 when I was 21 and I tore the whole car apart and put it back together, Including rebuilding the engine.And I managed to get it done in one summer.(had a lot of energy then) Ran like a raped ape when It was done.
Of course, that was over 37 years ago, so this project is going to be a little slower...Actually... a lot!
Time and money are just not on my side with this one.
Oh well. At least I can say I owned a corvette. Even if I never drive it!
all i know is even starting with a bare block...350hp or a little more is an easy goal for under 3k...on a shoestring budget with an air grinder you can probably get that if you take your time and also score good used stuff!
dont let the no cash thing discourage you! i have a 427 BBC sitting between the fenders of my 84...and even though i havent touched it in 12 months due to cash...i know someday i will get her done...
it just takes time...
Last edited by Fubar569; Jun 7, 2007 at 11:59 PM.
