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 May 7 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.

[SCPO-PD]

I "THINK" that I have finally settled on a Blueprint 350 / 341 hp replacement engine (haven't determined the level of build - Long Block, Base Dressed, or Full Dress).  The next big question is the ECU wiring.  Does anyone have the wiring diagram / connections?  Thus far I have been unable to dig them up.

 

[SCPO-PD]

Release The Hounds....

The Blueprint 350 / 341HP is on order (about 30 days out now).

Old 305 has been pulled and set aside for later play...

Transmission TR700R4 has been pulled and will be delivered to the transmission shop this Friday for rework and upgrade to support the HP of the new engine.

The current game plan is to forgo the ECU.

Currently going to clean and possibly repaint the engine compartment, rework the PS to include new hoses, replace control arm bushings, clean/scrub/degrease frame as much as possible to apply rust blocker and paint..... 

Edited 8 hours ago by SCPO-PD
Added additional text

[mfg]

Yes, a great time to rid yourself of the ‘Computer Command Control’ system … Go with an Edelbrock carb and the earlier vacuum advance distrib!

[wildfelr]

RQB3263/81/305/700R4   WOW WOW WOW .......YOU BEEN CHANNELING ME FOR MONTHS NOW   .. AND YOU DECISIONS ARE EXACTLY WHAT I WILL  DO WHEN MY 305 RETIRES.... PERFECT ... PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH HERE  AS I WANT TO ...

I WILL PROBABLY GO WITH A BULEPRINT 350 BUT CAST IRON HEADS FROM A 92 ROADMASTER /CAPRICE...NOW I JUST HAVE TO OUTLIVE MY 305 ... HUMMMMMM