Regasket 305 or not?

[av8tr33337]

I know Im going to sound like a cheap ass, and I am, but money it terribley tight and I want to keep moving forward as much as I can.

The 305 im using was in my nephew's Camaro which he wrecked about 15 years ago. It's been sitting indoors ever since. He had just put a long block in it and had less that 10,000 miles on it.

I was planning on changing seals and gaskest, but do to needing some minor surgery on my foot for a bone spur, one of my 2 jobs that I work (the Part time one) will not let me work untill the Dr. releases me after the surgery. So That's about $500.00 a month out of the family budget.

I know thats a lot of info you guys don't need to know, but I'm just laying out the reasons for being so cheap :

Anyway I need some opinions whether or not, since the engine sat so long, if you guy's think I will run into any trouble with dried up gaskets leaking and spoiling a fresh coat of paint? freeze plug issues? it' still had some nice green antifreeze in it a few minutes ago when I tipped it a little while separating it from the tranny. The oil was kinda dirty, but looked good when I pulled the filter. I know that means nothing as far as the gasket because they are still out of the oil, just sayin.

Any thoughts or opinions are welcome. I know the right thing to do would be to bite the bullit, but that would have to wait a couple months. I'm tempted to just take a chance.

[Rude Dude]

Valve cover gaskets are a given, if it were mine and only a small income coming in I would start it on an engine stand after I cleaned it up externally with some soap and water. If it has a major leak I would only change that gasket and live with the minor ones a few drops isn't going to kill a motor and change it out later when MONEY and time permits.

[mr48chev]

Northern Auto parts has a Felpro gasket set for 39.95 and Mr Gasket set for 29.95

http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...ctModelId=1997

http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...tModelId=14006

You wouldn't use some of the pieces but the end cost would be quite a bit less than buying separate pieces one at a time.

I'm thinking that the main thing that would be different between a 305 and 350 set would be the head gaskets which you wouldn't change anyhow.

[av8tr33337]

Thanks RudeDude and Mr.48Chevy

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Northern Auto parts has a Felpro gasket set for 39.95 and Mr Gasket set for 29.95

I'm thinking that the main thing that would be different between a 305 and 350 set would be the head gaskets which you wouldn't change anyhow.

Well hell thats not so bad. I'll look into that. Yeah I did not want to get into head gaskets or intake gaskets. I was considering changing the front and rear seals though.

Would you think that would be necessary?
Also the front seal on the tranny?

[av8tr33337]

Thanks RudeDude and Mr.48Chevy

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Northern Auto parts has a Felpro gasket set for 39.95 and Mr Gasket set for 29.95

I'm thinking that the main thing that would be different between a 305 and 350 set would be the head gaskets which you wouldn't change anyhow.

Well hell thats not so bad. I'll look into that. Yeah I did not want to get into head gaskets or intake gaskets. I was considering changing the front and rear seals though.

Would you think that would be necessary?
Also the front seal on the tranny?

[av8tr33337]

The felpro set for 305 is $71.00

What about this conversion set. I would still need valve cover gaskets.
http://www.northernautoparts.com/Pro...entoryId=19895 20 bucks


Im not clear though on why they refer to it as a conversion set??

[mr48chev]

I think that if you do a bit of research part niumber by part number the only thing that is different on the two sets is the head gaskets and if you don't need to change the head gaskets that isn't an issue.

Take some time and check the part numbers of the gaskets you need and compare and you will find that outside of the head gaskets the gaskets are all the same. If you have a later engine with a one piece rear main seal then that is an issue.

The extra cost of 305 specific items is the reason I would never consider building a 305. It will cost 30% more to build a 305 as a 350 with otherwise equal parts.

[_Ogre]

if it didn't leak then, it probably won't leak now.
unless it's been knocked around or laid on the pan.
if your ready to install it now, install it and start it up, check it for leaks.
if your not ready for the engine you risk the same dried up or knocked around gaskets.

my crate motor sat for 8 yrs with no problems.

[av8tr33337]

Thanks for the input everyone.

The 305, hell the whole wrecked Camaro was basically free. That's why I'm using that drivetrane.

Looks like I can get everything I need for about 30 bucks so I'd be an idiot not to.

The wiring harness got eaten up pretty bad from mice etc while it was sitting out on the farm.

So I did not save the wiring harness and computer. I want to use a distributor and carb that is not controlled by the stock computer. I think the carb was replaced at the same time it got a long block.

Let's be honest fells, as you can tell I'm not a motor mechanic. I am going to need lots of guidance. I can do anything with my hands that I want to as far as fabrication, sheet metal etc.

I'm thinking I will have to go with something like this:
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...oductId=761348

Not sure what do do with the carb. It's a 4 BBL could it be converted to all mechanical?

[1project2many]

The parts you've listed are for '85 and down. Is that what you have?

If it's an '86 or newer block I'd probably skip the gaskets and seals. The later engines use a much better gasket than the old cork / rubber gaskets. I'd also look very closely at the silicone sealer used on the front and rear of the intake and if necessary I'd reseal it.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

The parts you've listed are for '85 and down. Is that what you have?

If it's an '86 or newer block I'd probably skip the gaskets and seals. The later engines use a much better gasket than the old cork / rubber gaskets. I'd also look very closely at the silicone sealer used on the front and rear of the intake and if necessary I'd reseal it.

Yes Mine is an 84.

To reseal correctly I would have to remove it correct??

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bartman,
You shouldn't apologize or feel like you need to explain being broke. We've all been there and if a few of us have not; well then we'd better call ourselves lucky.

I'd follow Rudy's suggestion and start it on a stand and see what you've got. Then do what you can HONESTLY afford to do.

[av8tr33337]

Thanks Dan.

[1project2many]

You don't have to pull the intake to reseal the two ends but you have to spend time. Every bit of the original seal has to be dug out with a pick. Then you need a cleaner like brakeclean to get every last trace of grease and oil out. Once it's clean you can use gloves to pack silicone back into the space between manifold and block. With the engine out it's much easier to remove the manifold but when the $13 you'd spend on a new gasket makes the difference in getting through the week, it is possible to fix the end seals without destroying the old gasket.

[mknittle]

I gave up on the intake manifold end gaskets years ago. I have used silicone and had better luck with sealing.

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by mknittle

I gave up on the intake manifold end gaskets years ago. I have used silicone and had better luck with sealing.

Thanks good to know.

[1project2many]

I gave up on the intake manifold end gaskets years ago. I have used silicone and had better luck with sealing.

You should have seen how we resealed 80's Citations and Celebrities when the end seals failed under warranty. Clean as above, plug PCV hose, apply vacuum cleaner to breather connection at valve cover, and let suction draw new silicone into engine. 2.4 to r&r an intake on one of those???

[mobileortho]

Originally Posted by dan in pasadena

bartman,
you shouldn't apologize or feel like you need to explain being broke. We've all been there and if a few of us have not; well then we'd better call ourselves lucky.

I'd follow rudy's suggestion and start it on a stand and see what you've got. Then do what you can honestly afford to do.

ditto!!!