Author Topic: OPINIONS NEEDED 1- keep tweeking 2- crate 350 3-LS swap  (Read 1204 times)

Offline Dave W

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OPINIONS NEEDED 1- keep tweeking 2- crate 350 3-LS swap
« on: April 28, 2019, 03:46:43 PM »
I bought a 78 c10 (Ohio farm truck)
Custom deluxe V8 305 2 barrel 350turbo auto tranny.
It was parked, and sat for four years.
I bought it ($1000) towed it home and started working.
So far I changed all fluids, replaced the whole fuel system,
From tank to new carb. Got it started, smokes  some grey/white exhaust from tailpipe. But sounds strong.
Choke doesn't seem to be working right.(closes after it's warm. after it's shuts off, and warmed it's hard to restart) rear main seal leaks a little.
Looks like oil pressure is low.
135k miles on it.
I'm weighing the options of
1 continue to work with this 305
2 move on to a 350 crate engine
3 LS engine swap
I am a bodyman with bolt on mechanical ability.
I'm thinking an LS swap would be out of my experience.
I think I could pull of the crate swap.
I am in the Cleveland Ohio area
If I could have a LS swap done by someone for like $4000
I would consider it, but I think it would be over 5k for turn key with parts n labor.
I think I could do the crate way with rebuilding my trans, for around 3k budget.
I'm a little reluctant to keep putting money into this 305
Any thoughts appreciated, or shared experiences.
Or Cleveland area reasonable LS connection.
Thanks!!

« Last Edit: April 28, 2019, 06:52:09 PM by Dave W »

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: OPINIONS NEEDED 1- keep tweeking 2- crate 350 3-LS swap
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2019, 10:55:26 PM »
even if you swap engines and still use the same carb you will still have the same issue. i would fix it then if the engine blows up or maybe is really lacking the grunt you want then go with the crate motor
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Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: OPINIONS NEEDED 1- keep tweeking 2- crate 350 3-LS swap
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2019, 04:15:05 PM »
Did you drive it for a while, and is there still smoke? Sometimes you just need to burn off what has been sitting.

Did you use a multi grade oil like 10-30? Sometime older engines with wear will let that thin viscosity slip by and it will burn.

You can try a single grade, 30 or 40 weight and see if it stops. Or dump some STP for a quick check.

If it still smokes, ditch the motor, it's got too much wear.

Can't comment on the LS, haven't done one before.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction