New to SBC, overwhelmed by choices - HELP!

Good point - mine didn't come with any brackets or accessories.

Like I hinted at before, whenever I went to the Pick 'n Pull it was always a disappointment - they had nothin' for me. But now that they do (brackets, etc), I have a whole new reason to go junkin', which I used to really like to do before the yard went corporate.

~Jason

 

no need to get fancy with hotrod parts then....clean up the stock heads, run an earlier iron intake, and concentrate on making it all work together (cam, driveline, tuning)

 

Being a good, cheap hot rod motor was never in dispute with me - I've just always gravitated towards the unusual and unique, wanting something that not everybody has.

But I'm finding out firsthand exactly why several people have them in the first place.

~Jason

 

That's why I like the unusual. I'm one of those guys that likes to tinker with his setup every day. I don't know what it'll be like with an SBC.

~Jason

 

That's the plan, but I'd like a different cam and a mild port.

I don't have an intake. That's why I was looking in Jeg's in the first place. Just seeing what all was out there. And damn, there's a lot out there.

~Jason

 

there are a few 2 and 4bbl sbc intakes laying in my s**** pile, too, and they don't cost my buddies much to haul off! look around....

 

FWIW, After building a 265, a 327, a 283 and finally a .030 over 350, the last one was by far the best street motor. All the torque you needed in a '30's rod.

 

Don't mind if I do!

~Jason

 

That may be may well be the next Chevy I do. This is an experiment of sorts - once I get my S-10 all V-8ed out, and if the 305 doesn't work out, the 350 will pop right in!

~Jason

 

305, rv type cam, intake with a quadra jet on it and you have a nice running peppy little V-8 that gets gas mileage. Works in my son's 51 ford coupe anyway. Best 305's seem to be the factory 4-barrel versions. Pat.

 

I've got a supposed running 350 sittin in the corner of my garage. I'd might be up to some horse trade'n.

 

These days, I'm all about the mileage. It's one of the mail reasons (a**** many) that I picked a 305 before even buying one.

Hell, I've even considered a dual plane 4-bbl intake with an adapter and TBI off of it running off of a MegaSquirt "do-it-yourself" computer (which presents yet another opportunity to experiment), but I have too much Q-Jet stuff to justify not using it.

Still, it's something I'd like to try someday.

~Jason

 

I wish.

These days, about all I can afford to do IS trade, but I'm running out of stuff!

~Jason

 

i saw a 90s fs truck at u-wrench-it you could get the serpentine drive off of, just be sure to get it ALL. way easier than trying to build a setup from mr gasket

 

I was out there during the Thanksgiving '1/2 price, get in free with a can' sale and saw some stuff like that out there. At the time it didn't matter, but if I had only known then I'd have this thing...

Man, all the 5-speeds of note are GONE outta there, aren't they? I couldn't find an S-10 or a GM F-body that wasn't practically a shell out there, but then again, that's how it always is.

I think they're going to work out to be a good source for parts. Maybe I can pick up a set of Vortec heads and an intake out there (if I'm lucky).


~Jason

 

Keep going, and build a 400 next time. I LOVE em!

 

Actually, there's a stroker kit for the 305 out there that uses a 400 crank. It's supposed to be pretty kick***.

~Jason

 

need a 400 ? p.m. my buddy has a few he wants to sell

 

I skimmed the thread and didn't see this said, so if this has already been mentioned, please forgive....

One of the main compatibility issues a**** SBCs are the bracketry for accessories, and the pulleys that go with them. There are "long water pumps" and "short water pumps". So make sure that whichever WP you are running, that you have the bracketry & pulleys for that type of pump. (If you can see about 1/2 inch space between the back of the WP and the timing cover, then it's a long pump (LWP); if the WP and timing cover are almost touching, then it's a short pump (SWP). I'm guessing you'll probably need the short to fit the s-10 engine bay.

Another issue are the 2 types of flywheels (or flex plates). There is a 153 tooth, and a 168 tooth. You need to make sure your starter matches whichever one you have.

By far, though, SBC's interchangeability is far simpler to understand than any others I know of.

 

Some more concerns with the SBC that are not only the tooth count on the flywheel/flexplate :

1) internally balanced (everything except 400) or externally (400) balanaced.
2) one or two piece rear main seals. new SBC are one piece
and take a different bolt pattern on the crank than their early cousins.

 

After researching that stroker kit, I may be willing to just buy a crank off of him and take it to the machine shop and nickel and dime my own damned stroker kit together.

Just to be clear, what's your buddy's handle, just to make sure I PM the right guy?

~Jason

 

Hey, thanks a lot!

Now that's some stuff I probably never wouldn't have asked, but needed to know (especially about the flywheel bit).

I figured I'd hit the junkyard and find a car with a motor still in it and grab the water pump and other accessories as well as the pulleys, flywheel and starter (I didn't get any of that).

That's about the best way I can figure to obtain all the parts I need and have 'em somewhat match up. Talk about an adventure.

~Jason

 

I know I have a fairly early 305 (and a two piece rear main seal), but the balancing thing I didn't know about.

Looks like I may have some more to take into account than I thought, with regards to the stroker kit.

Anyway, that's probably for later. I just want to get the thing running first.

~Jason

 

Would it be a good idea to pick up a copy of "How to Hot Rod the SBC", or are all those books pretty much the same. I'm weird - I like to read 'em for fun, but would I learn anything new in there, or can I pretty much pick up whatever I need "on-the-fly" from the internet as I go?

~Jason

 

might be a good refresher, although the book is pretty old by now....

If you like reading books like that (I do) then have at it!

 

For all the Chevy-specific stuff it has to impart, it might fill in my blanks pretty well, although I may check it out of the Library and take a gander before I decide to purchase it (and then, I'll probably wait until I find one at a garage sale or something).

Still, it's another manual I haven't read yet, and I AM awfully curious about the weirdness (or lack, thereof) of all things Chevrolet. Perhaps I can further devine the reason people love 'em so much and solve at least mystery for myself...

~Jason

 

Jason, welcome to the world of Lo-Buc-Rodding. My son built him an S-10 with a 305 about 10 years ago. I'd be glad to share any brain waves with you on that. 305 is a decent motor for a light ride. Keep the stock heads on it. Like most others say, if you want to spend some big bucks then to to a 350. Or better yet build a torque monster by putting a 400 crank in a 350. Good luck on the project.

 

Build a 318. Dirt cheap to get and I regularly get over 300hp out of these little motors without really trying.

360's are good to build also but don't rev like a 318. A lot more torque though. Dirt cheap also....

 

it would be a bit of a drive, but 169 auto in spring hill ks has more domestic, they keep bankers hours and its just an old yard with lots of cool stuff and one mean *** dog. prices are a little high, but if you need it, they got it.

 

Or easier you could just look at any 1988 - 1995 Chevy/GMC fulllsize pickup in the junk yard and get a complete TBI that should work on the 305. You will have to snag the CB heads or drill the center intake holes for the different angles, but they are plentiful and cheap. Just make sure you get everything, sensors and computer and all. It's a daunting thing if you are noit taking things from a runner to compare to. I think Edelbrock made an aftermarket intake as well. with a decent cam you could expect 200 HP from a healthy motor.