Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zipgun · 03-29-2006, 01:58 PM

I acquired a 86 Chevy 4wd SWB for my son. It has a 305 in it and I havent heard alot about rebuilding one. Just wanted to get some thoughts together about either rebuilding it or swapping for a 350. This truck will go to my 16 yo son. Im not sure which would be the most cost effective in the long run. Your thougts would be appreciatted.

Thanks

zipgun

bwright · 03-29-2006, 02:34 PM

I'd go with a remanufactured crate 350 engine w/ warranty.

86 GMG · 03-29-2006, 02:55 PM

i have heard it will cost more to rebuild a 305 rather than a 350

as far as being for your son either motor can cause greaf it depends on your son the 350 will drop straight in place of the 305 if that helps usually you can get better mpg out of a 350 also not that its much to brag about

72armyswbtruck · 03-29-2006, 03:04 PM

I agree, I put a gm 350 crate motor in mine It was a swap from a 305, I love it and it is extremely cost effective, all the brackets and stuff swaps directly over.

Tx Firefighter · 03-29-2006, 03:25 PM

I'm going to go contrary to everyone's opinions here.

First, you already have the 305.
Second, it cost's the same to overhaul a 305 as it would to overhaul a 350, penny for penny.
Third, I'd not want any too much power for your kid's first truck.

Since you already own the 305, you'll save money by not having to buy a 350 core. Every part to overhaul the 305 is the same as the 350, except the pistons and rings. Since 305's are almost as common as 350's, the pistons and rings cost the same anyway. Bearings, timing components, gaskets, etc are the exact same between the two engines, so cost is a wash there too.

So, by reusing your existing engine as the base for the build, you'll ultimitely save money, which is what I understand you're concerned with by reading your post.

Slonaker · 03-29-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I'm going to go contrary to everyone's opinions here.
Since you already own the 305, you'll save money by not having to buy a 350 core.

I did not have a core charge on the crate 350 I bought from Summit. The other advantage to buying a crate engine is that the truck won't be down for as long if the old one is not rebuilt.

All of that said, a teen will probably get in more trouble with a more powerful engine, so a 305 might be a good idea. Nobody seems to want 305s. Maybe you can get a good used one cheap.

Slonaker

cliffsta · 03-30-2006, 01:27 AM

I gotta say i been converted, too. I swore up and down I'd build my 305.... but then I found http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/130/...Engine-Kit.htm
and I figure I'll be happy. 350s are much more popular engines, but GM put LOTS of 305s in trucks, cars, vans.

It's pretty much a personal choice but my suggestion is a rebuilt or new 350.

79BIG10 · 03-30-2006, 01:36 AM

I agree to get a crate 350. Basic engine with plenty of power for your son but not over powered. Plus you and him can rebuild the 305 and install it in something else later on if you decide to.

**N2TRUX** · 03-30-2006, 02:08 AM

If you are going to rebuild, then keep the 305 as Tex says. If your considering anything else the 350 crate is hard to beat...

Low84 · 03-31-2006, 09:43 PM

I'd get your son a crate base 350, and put a 2 barrel carb on there to slow him down a bit

03-29-2006, 01:58 PM	#1
zipgun ZIPGUN Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 51	Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I acquired a 86 Chevy 4wd SWB for my son. It has a 305 in it and I havent heard alot about rebuilding one. Just wanted to get some thoughts together about either rebuilding it or swapping for a 350. This truck will go to my 16 yo son. Im not sure which would be the most cost effective in the long run. Your thougts would be appreciatted. Thanks zipgun

03-29-2006, 02:34 PM	#2
bwright Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dickson, TN Posts: 141	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I'd go with a remanufactured crate 350 engine w/ warranty.

03-29-2006, 02:55 PM	#3
86 GMG Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 943	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? i have heard it will cost more to rebuild a 305 rather than a 350 as far as being for your son either motor can cause greaf it depends on your son the 350 will drop straight in place of the 305 if that helps usually you can get better mpg out of a 350 also not that its much to brag about __________________ square body trucks an addiction or an investment either way they consume all my extra time and money

03-29-2006, 03:04 PM	#4
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I agree, I put a gm 350 crate motor in mine It was a swap from a 305, I love it and it is extremely cost effective, all the brackets and stuff swaps directly over. __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

03-29-2006, 03:25 PM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I'm going to go contrary to everyone's opinions here. First, you already have the 305. Second, it cost's the same to overhaul a 305 as it would to overhaul a 350, penny for penny. Third, I'd not want any too much power for your kid's first truck. Since you already own the 305, you'll save money by not having to buy a 350 core. Every part to overhaul the 305 is the same as the 350, except the pistons and rings. Since 305's are almost as common as 350's, the pistons and rings cost the same anyway. Bearings, timing components, gaskets, etc are the exact same between the two engines, so cost is a wash there too. So, by reusing your existing engine as the base for the build, you'll ultimitely save money, which is what I understand you're concerned with by reading your post. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-30-2006, 01:27 AM	#7
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I gotta say i been converted, too. I swore up and down I'd build my 305.... but then I found http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/130/...Engine-Kit.htm and I figure I'll be happy. 350s are much more popular engines, but GM put LOTS of 305s in trucks, cars, vans. It's pretty much a personal choice but my suggestion is a rebuilt or new 350. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

03-30-2006, 01:36 AM	#8
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I agree to get a crate 350. Basic engine with plenty of power for your son but not over powered. Plus you and him can rebuild the 305 and install it in something else later on if you decide to. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-30-2006, 02:08 AM	#9
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? If you are going to rebuild, then keep the 305 as Tex says. If your considering anything else the 350 crate is hard to beat... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

03-31-2006, 09:43 PM	#10
Low84 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Roma,TX Posts: 774	Re: Rebuild a 305 or swap for a 350 ? I'd get your son a crate base 350, and put a 2 barrel carb on there to slow him down a bit __________________ 1978 stepside C10 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468265

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