hey guys I was wondering if I could get any opinions / spects on building a 305 chev v8 with low end pulling power,nothing to radical just a good low rpm motor.It will be used to pull a trailer.maybe some opinions on-cam -heads/head work-comp ratio-just general stuff-or should i go with a larger small block eng . was thinking of the 305 because I already have one
it costs the same to rebuild a 350 as it does a 305. You can find a 350 block for $150.00. I'd go with a 350
I think its FATHACK on here that is pretty knowledgeable about building 305.. or am I thinking of someone else?
I don't think a 305 is a good choice for pulling a trailer. Don't waste money on heads for a 305. 350 is a much better choice. A 383 stroker would be my pick.
As the guys said there are better choices. I used to make a few road trips with my buddy when his daughter raced his 62 Corvette in high school drags around the PNW and he had a late 80's C-10 with a 305 that wouldn't pull a sick whore off the pot. 30 mph for miles on end going over the pass. When I first bought the 77 chev 1 ton 4x4 crew cab I had for a few years it had a tired 400 in it that would out pull the fresh 350 that I replaced it with. You can put an rv cam, dual exhaust and Performer intake on the 305 and it will get the job done but pulling a trailer of any kind you will still be way over in the slow lane going up any hill of any consequence.
Chevy had a truck version of the 305 with a 4bbl Q-jet. There's a lot of guys running that 305, thinking they have a 350. Would one built to those specs be good?
no substitute for cubes on a lower rpm torque motor. A 400 fills that bill but is harder to cool. I second the 383 suggestion unless you would consider going to a big block.
I have to disagree here on the 305 guys. IF you have the HO heads on your 305, there's nothing wrong with them for power. I'd go with a 268 cam for more low end power, headers and a Edelbrock Performer intake and leave the carb choice up to you, but for me I'd use the Edelbrock 500 unless your Q jet is a good working carb. Of course this all depends on how heavy the trailer is and what the trans is as far as what gear you should run too. I always thought the 305 was a slug too until I got a HO given to me and played with it and it suprised me and some guys I "raced" along the way.....
Maximize the motor you have with a cam .425 ish lift. Aluminum dual plane intake. Dual exhaust. Hot ignition. Follow this basic formula for any V8 seeking low-end, tow and go performance. Search HAMB member Fat Hack and follow along his and other's advice to this topic.
Bigger is ALWAYS better when it come to engine pulling power. BUT, they do make a stroker kit for the 305, much like the stroker 350 to 383. 305 block, cut down 400 crank and rods, .030 bore 305 pistons gives you 334 CID. I have one of these setups because, "I already had the 305", also; poor reason to do it in retrospect however. Don't get me wrong, it's a good motor, but the cost involved just is'nt worth it. You can buy a low miliage 350 for a lot less than building a stroker 305. Butch/56sedandelivery.
I would never call a 305 a "stump puller". It's more like a boat anchor! There's no replacement for displacement.
Get you a stock 350 and go with that. Building up a 305 to use for pulling is just throwing money away. Just like you'll be doing when you buy gas every 100 miles.Guys hes says he wants to pull not drag race.
If you're doing this as a budget item, I say roll on with it. Your main question was what you could do WITH the motor. Opening up to suggestions of what to have INSTEAD only allows folks one answer..."something else". PM FatHack and search for his 305 threads.
Smart asinine remarks about 'no replacement for displacement'. Worn out phrase. Boat anchor is an out right lie and an insult.
Well, he did ask which would be better, dumping money into his 305 or getting a larger motor. I've never heard of a 305 being associated with the words "stump puller".
Whoa.. opinions opinions! Facts are that displacement matters. To get torque from small displacement is costly. It's much cheaper and more efficient to use a larger displacement engine. Facts, not opinion.
I have an 86 silverado and if I ever get the chance, I'm putting a 350 crate engine like I have in my 54 in it. The stock truck 305 is a slug. It has so much emissions stuff done to it that it just doesn't stand a chance.
I'll differ. The 305 already has a decent combination of long stroke, smallish bore. Makes for better mileage, because the fuel is actually being asked to DO something: move those pistons a long way down the block. An RV-type cam, free flowing intake/exhaust, and you should be very happy. Keep the carb in the 450-500 CFM range for better atomisation (as you won't be revving this motor), and the MPG should please you as well. Asking for torque info amongst a bunch of rodders that are horsepower happy leads to answers like you've already received. Cosmo
i would say a 350 with the small cc 305 heads,rv cam, headers,performer intake. not real large exaust pipes. think you'll be happy with that combo.jmho. you'll get a lot of opinions,pick one.lol
You will be so sorry if you follow threw on this . Just think about the low amount of TQ. thats what makes a good towing motor.
My stock 1985 Silverado 305 pulled trailered cars 3 states round trip with ease. Reasonable expectations, realistic budgeting.
I had a 85 c-10 with a 305,total slug. Took all the emmisions crap off,put a non-feedback q-jet and HEI and dual exhaust on it and it felt like a totally different truck. Wouldn't call it a stump-puller,but it would do whatever I asked of it. Usually got around 20 mpg too.
I don't know what it's going in, but if you want a GM stump puller find you a straight 6 GMC. That sucker will pull your house off its foundation.
There was a time when a 283 was all the V-8 you got in a Chevy truck light or medium truck.With the low gears used then it did the job but at a slower speed than modern vehicles. I was never impressed with the inline 6 pulling compared to a like geared V-8.
Try a "mini" stroker 350....a .030 over 350 with a crank offset ground to stroke it a bit. use small journal 327 rods. This will give you 365/6 cubic inches and a TON of torque to pull with. Cheap and easy and efficient! Choose the cam of your choice and pull anything you can hook to it! Forget the 305, waste of money...One guy here had a good one, dozens had bad ones, I wouldn't spend the money, you won't be happy with the results!
when you ask for opinions that is what you get, I lean toward the bigger motors in trucks. I have a 467 BBC and a 500 Caddy put back for truck projects
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