Engine Swap Concerns??

[SCPO-PD]

This last weekend I took RQB3616 out on the road to my Iron Chariots Car Show after being in storage for several months while I built a garage to house her and provide a weather proof location to be able to work on her year round.  Everything went well until a knock from deep within the engine appeared....   I was able to limp home via the back roads while purposely not getting much above 35/40mph.  I need to empty the oil for sure as the dipstick shows a overfull oil pan (no water beads or fuel smell), pop the valve covers to see what I find, check compression, etc..  My true Gear Head friends have forewarned me that I will need a new engine.  While I haven't reworked an engine in MANY years, I am not afraid to take it on but my gut also tells me that it may be a lost cause....   RQB3616 has a 305.  The question is what do I need to consider in swapping out the original 305 for a 350?  Will the 1983 engine electronics work on the new motor 305 or 350?  Are the motor mounts the same?  Etc....

Seeking any insight.   

Edited 5 hours ago by SCPO-PD

[ronmanfredi]

You can swap out the 305 for a 350 without any problem.  If you want to keep the 83 carb/distributor and computer system, then that will work also, with the exception of having to rejet the carb for the 350.  The 350 also would need 350 exhaust manifolds since the ports and exit port are larger.  You would need to have a muffler shop replace the flange that connects the exhaust pipe to each manifold with larger ones to match the 350 exhaust manifold.  The good thing is you'll have a lot more power once you are done, and the value of the car will go up as well.

[SteveG]

The only important interchange issue, if you plan just a long block swap, is to make sure your replacement engine has pre-1987 (1970-1986) heads or replacement heads with this intake manifold bolt pattern AND drilled and tapped accessory attach holes in the ends of the heads. If you try to use earlier heads, TBI heads or Vortec heads, you will need to change the intake manifold and likely some of the accessory drive bracketry.