Thread: I have been gifted

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A complete gm drivetrain. its is from a 79 van it has a 305 / 350 th I am told, I am considering this for a swap into my 55 2nd seris pickup,

Is there any reason why I should not be considering this,

Oh yeah its free!
2nd question,, any ideas on how to milk more hp from this 305

Thanks B

Originally posted by chesapeake
2nd question,, any ideas on how to milk more hp from this 305

mock up the engine/ trans in the truck, get the mounts right for a SBC, pull the 305 out and put a 350 in, the TH350 should stay. sell the 305 to sombody who wants 1, put the money got from the 305, into the 350, intake, heads, whatever. the 305 makes 145 HP stock, and altho they can be built up ( a guy on here has a 305 putting a little over 300 to the crank ), but a 350 could have over 300, with a set of 64cc heads

thanks matt, good advice

First thing you might want to do is measure the wheelbase and see how much is involved in altering it. The track width is also a consideration. I believe the van frame is considerably wider and will have a wider track then the '55. You will also possibley have to alter the bed of the truck to accomodate the kickup on the van frame.......Just some other things to consider.

The S-10 standard box chassis is perfect for this swap.

Are you using the motor and trans only or the frame too?? 305 is a good economy engine. If you want any power though, take the advise offered above.

I'm reading your initial post that you have been gifted with a 305/TH350 engine/trans unit only and not the entire undercarriage, is that right? If so, there is nothing wrong with the 305 if you just need a prime mover in a street rod. It will make at least 200 hp and that's all you need to cruise.

Hey Ches,

We have spoke on CC before. To keep costs down put that entire Drive train in. Before it goes in call up a cam company and tell em what you have, and what you want from the motor, and get a cam with a little more lift and duration than stock ( that 305 cam is a dog), and put this in then motor before you install it in the truck.....add some new lifters, timing chain and while you are at it put in a new oil pump. Change over from stock exhaust manifolds to a set of shorty headers and a true dual or single 3" exhaust (id opt for the dual, and someone may make a bolt in kit for your truck, if you do some research, try whitney). A little more cam, and a good exhaust will be a huge leap in power throughout all RPMs compared to the 6 you have now. As time passes and $$$ is maybe more available, later you can get a better carb and intake than stock, and maybe even later buy a 350 crate enigine which will bolt right inplace after that 305 has taken residence. Good luck buddy.

Yup, sorry for the confusion. I read the initial post incorrectly.

NO I have the whole van, and now I just picked up a 350 out of a 74 vette.,

Originally posted by chesapeake
NO I have the whole van, and now I just picked up a 350 out of a 74 vette.,

Now you got something to work with. What do you want it to do and what you want to spend?

It'll do pretty good stock.

Originally posted by chesapeake
A complete gm drivetrain. its is from a 79 van it has a 305 / 350 th I am told, I am considering this for a swap into my 55 2nd seris pickup,

Is there any reason why I should not be considering this,

Oh yeah its free!
2nd question,, any ideas on how to milk more hp from this 305

Thanks B

Put a 3.75 stroke crank in it.

Great Ches,

before it all goes in, again, considering it was all no cost to you so far Id do the following. New cam and lifters (preferably and Rv/Truck cam grind) maybe even a set of push rod for $25. New timing chain, new oil pump...this way you can get some new crank seals on there, which are probably leaking anyway. For the trans drain as much fluid in it as possible including the torque convertor, put in a new filter and while your at it, if it were me, a shift kit to make snappier shifts, and help trans last a little longer. Most shift kits are do it yourself projects if you just follow the directions and you can get a B&M one for about 50 bucks. Finally If it was me, considering age of motor Id do a water pump, and fuel pump as they are cheap enough and something less to worry about that moist likely in near future will break.

A new cam with a shift kit will make that truck haul ass compared to that 6 cyl you have. Good luck buddy.

Scott

If you do a shift kit, I would advise the softest one you can get if you've never had one before. If you like it, you can go for a harsher kit later. Personally, I'll never have another one in a daily driver. They're fun for 10 minutes, then they're just a pain in the ***. Been there, done that.

To each his own. Tech inspector like many on here has more experience than I do Im sure. With that being said I love the B&M shift kit I have in my 70 Chevelle convertible as my Daily driver. It is a mild kit designed for the street. Bumps a little more when crusing and I only see a dramatic difference when Im on it hard like from forst to second in my TH400......If I hold first out to about 4500 rpm then move to second It will give me a chirp in my rear tires.....again under normal conditions of driving it doesnt seem to be a huge difference and I dont find it annoying like tech does...again to each his own....maybe ge ta ride in a friends automatic equipped car with one and see if you like it. Let us know how your engine/trans swap goes Ches. Good luck.