There's an '84 Camaro for sale nearby. From what I can tell from the Craigslist ad and the email I just got, it's half disassembled, but has almost everything it'd need to be just as it was in '84. The main reason I'm interested is it comes with two 305's, one bored .030 over, and a 700-R4. Also comes with the wiring harness and computers. One of the engines is complete with a carb, the other one doesn't have an intake manifold. The whole deal is for sale for $800. The problem is, I work at a grocery store... so I'm basically trying to find the most I can get for the least amount of money. I'm also pretty much brand new to building hot rods. From what I've gathered, a small-block Chevy and 700-R4 is a pretty standard, easy setup. Would I be able to sell off the other engine for any decent amount of cash? Also, how easily would that engine and trans fit in a '39 Chevy mounted on an S-10 chassis (the other item I've had my eye on)? I know, a lot of questions for a new member. Just hoping to get some advice. Thanks in advance. -Zac
Unless the body is absolutly perfect and you can sell it as a roller for a profit, stay away.. 1: The 305 was junk. Even worked, it was still junk. 2: The 700 R4 was garbage. Even in the Corvette, they had to be modified to handle the power output. 3: The rear end was garbage. Any real torque will shatter the gears like glass 4: The build quality as a whole is on par with a 1980's GM car which, is junk. Unless you have a real soft spot for the 3rd gen Camaro, just stay away...
Is the 305 junk because it's unreliable, or has low output, or what? I'm not trying to be difficult, just to find out as much as possible. I'd also planned on using the S-10 rear end. And I'm guessing that means G-body parts cars are ruled out, too... heh.
$800 is a lot of money to spend on a 700r4 transmission core and $300 worth of scrap. PS- I like late model camaros, it's not a generic slam, just a statement about what a dissasembled 3rd gen is worth. good luck
Southdiver = I'm pretty sure there are a fair amount of people that would argue against you saying that a SBC and 700R4 is "junk". JUNK? C'mon... The dude is trying to get the most for his money and parts for a SBC are about the cheapest out there. An overdrive trans like a 700R4 would be great for a first rod so he could actually get out there and drive it when he's done. Way to help a new guy out by giving some BS opinion... either that or you must be some rich SOB that could buy only the best even when money was tight. However, I don't think $800 for two 305's that don't run, a questionable OD trans and an 84 Camaro that is blown apart is really your best buy. If yer lookin to get started on the cheap, a running SBC and a trans that you KNOW shifts would put you a bit ahead of the game. One of those "hear it run and pull it out" kind of ads would be a good idea. Also, if anyone is ever giving stuff away, scoop it up in a hurry!!! Even if you don't plan to use it, it can be sold or traded to get what you need. Good luck.
last year I picked up an 86 Firebird which is the same thing (gen3) for $500. It was running and we did quicky paint on it and a new interior carpet and cover set. This was for my son. That gives you an idea. PS 82-92 all the same stuff.
S10s came with a 700R4, it may be a bolt in depending on where it puts the front of the motor. The 82 700R4 is junk; the 83-87 was okay, and the 88-91 acceptable - I've certainly beaten the shit out of the one in my truck for over 40,000 miles and it only slips if the fluid gets low. If it's junk, it's a damned good piece of junk. You wouldn't want to run a computer controlled carb, which this probably has, so the wiring harness is junk - an EFI setup would be lots better, but may be a challenge to get working right. The 305 will last 300,000 miles if you maintain it and don't abuse it, it aught to move a '39 Chevy down the road pretty well. You might be able to pull 20 MPG too. It's just not a hot rod motor -
I had an '84 Suburban with a 305 (yes, 305 and not a 350) and 700R4; I drove it until the odometer read 154,000 miles and traded it in on a minivan my wife wanted. I towed boats and trailers with it, loaded it up with kids, etc, and never had a problem. If you want to build a car to drive around and have fun with, it will work just fine. Offer the guy $400 and go as high as $500.
sounds like it is not worth $800.00 to me... I bought one that ran with no brakes for $300.00, took out the 305 and 700R4 and sold the body for $350.00. if you are looking for a motor to rebuild I wouldn't start with a 305, though there is nothing wrong with them. if you are looking for a motor to drive withhout a rebuild get one from a car that is running.
I would do $400 but thats about it. Scrap the Camaro body (or part it if you have time/space/desire) and keep the other 305. You would break near even if you tried. Plus have an extra motor. 305/700R4 isnt junk.
That was my thought exactly. For 800 you should be able to buy a running driving late 70's /mid 80's Chev car with a good running V8 and good trans. Back in the sixties a lot of my friends bought their doner cars out of the back rows of the used car lots. They should show up on craigslist and in the little nickle too. If you search around a bit you can probably find a great running mid 80's caprice, van or even a pickup with a small block that you can drive home, tune up and get running right and then pull the engine and trans and craiglsist the leftovers for a bit of cash or tow the hulk to the scrap yard. Just don't let on that you are looking at it for parts, the price will go up. And don't pay extra for add on's that you don't need or want. You may have a bit of competition with the guys looking for a "winter" car but there should be plenty to pick from as a lot of them go cheap because of the gas mileage deal. Leave the Camaros for the mullet brigade and look for something that isn't too desireable but has the right engine and trans that work good.
The 305 is a perfectly good engine, BUT is worth zilch in dollars because everyone wants a 350. If it isn't pretty much ready to use, it is also junk because rebuilding a 305 will cost more than buying a junk 350 and rebuilding that...the big-selling 350 stuff is radically cheaper than anything else. If you get at least one good engine, it will be a perfectly good choice for a light car. Trans as stated is an iffy transitional model. Rear is not only weak, it is too damn wide for most old car uses. The whole package, especially since you don't need the body, isn't worth all that much and since engines are't 350's the seller is NOT going to be fighting off a lot of buyers... My conclusion is that if engine is good and trans is worth a gamble, make him a ridiculous offer and hand him your phone number and stick another copy of it in the car. He'll refuse, but will likely call you back in a few weeks...
Agreed, I wouldn't set out on an Indiana Jones search for a 305, but the mentaility that they are worthless because a 350 is just soooo much better, makes them readily available for $100 or even free... The perfect price for a guy lookin to get started with very little bread.
Okay... lot of different opinions here. So it might be worth offering $400 or so for, but not really any more, since I probably won't be able to sell the other engine, the rear is useless, and the body's ugly as all hell. Sound about right?
If you put an S10 chassis in the car, you can use that rearend with a V8 just fine. Of course, if you get a 4.3 S10, you could just use that drivetrain to get you down the road and put a bigger motor in it later. The only other thing to consider is if the .030 305 is ready to go, you probably can't duplicate that for $500.
Think lower. You'll be surprised how cheap a running early 305 is at the junkyard. Real low, and it'll be free after you scrap the body...
Standard and easy, nope. To get it to shift right and not burn up you will need someone with experience to set it up for you. I'm considering switching from my TH400 to a 700R4 for my 455 and am nervous about making sure it's set up right. I know too many people would thought they knew what they were doing and it didn't work out right for them. In any event, good luck. The guys have given you lots of good advice so far.
if you can score a running HO 305 with 1:94 valves on the cheap, go for it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with one of those engines.The HO will wake up real well with the right intake, carb, headers and maybe a decent cam anf still give you good mpg. I never was a fan of them either til I was kinda forced into using one cause it was the only engine I had. Those few added parts and some careful tweaking hear and there made that 305 run good,I won numerous races against 4 bolt 350 motors running similar setups. But for what you are looking at right now, I don't think it's such a good deal either. just my .02
I recently bought a 83 Camaro for $200 though no motor/trans, ready for the road with those in it. Several folks have commented on the possibility of a running driving chevy with 350 for less than $800. I can say that here, in the Houston area, those are hen's teeth. I can find all the 150,000 mile+ cars for $1500 I want, but that's not $800. I've got a running, driving 350 olds I could throw in it, but "running, driving" doesn't actually tell you what shape the motor is in. This one lays a fog of smoke so..... Find something usable, low mileage, that you can drop right in and run. Doesn't matter how many blocks you have if it's going to cost you $1000 to build it into something usable. 305 blocks are running $100 here, "running" motors, $250.
You should be able to find a granny four door Cutlass or Malibu for the same $$ and drive it home with the same options. At least then you know what you got by driving it.....
There were two (or 3) versions of the 305 in '84...the LG4 was the 150 horespower weezer, and the L-69 305 had the Corvette cam and a couple of other less cool do-dads that made it 180 hp. I had the latter in an '84 Monte SS and the bearing spun out at 117K after some moderate abuse. For 800 bucks you can get your self a rebuildable 283, 307, or 350...and TH350's really arent that hard to come by either. The camaro more than likely has the 7.5 10-bolt...if it's a Z-28 it *might* be posi, and the posi *might* still work. I'd keep looking.
General consensus seems to be that it's really not worth it. Thanks, all! Thank god for forums, otherwise I probably would've bought it, and been stuck with a spare engine I couldn't get rid of, and an ugly-ass Camaro roller.
Whats wrong with the original stuff? mabey a little warm 283 or 327, they're out there if you dont drive and wrench on old running geear you have nothing to compare to Daily driving a 64 camino right now Dual pt mallory and gunna have a hot 301 when i have enough funds to finish it Know how it is being a young, Broke as hell, rodder, been that way since i was 13 and still am
The problem is just finding them, y'know? They're out there, but not always for super-cheap. I also am considering using a '65 New Yorker as a donor, but that might be total overkill....
A lot of people who aren't from the Rust&salt states may not realize that in many places, older cars (and here I mean before the late 1980's!!) are almost totally extinct except for those owned by actual resto or rod people. They have simply ceased to exist as transportation cars and don't exist in junkyards either...junkyards pretty much contain the same stuff you see on the road. Cars with pre-'85 small blocks are gone, the trucks are scarce...post-'86 small block cars are merely rare. In fact, anything at all predating the current bar-of-soap car or the SUV is an oddity.
I've got the opposite problem AND i live in Western Washington, too many old cars keep showing up, and my front yards already, full but i have awesome neighbors
That's definitely true, Bruce. I think I may have to move to the West Coast, or at somewhere a bit drier. The junkyards around here are mostly full of halfway-riced imports and Exploders.
Yup yup. I stopped going to junkyards long ago and find what I need on the net now for anything I need older than about 10 years...which is usually their cut-off age. Only time you see anything older than about 1990 driving around anymore is around Dream Cruise time, and it's over now. And trust me, people around here know what they got and we pay the price for old parts most of the time.
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