5.0L Build Help

[86gmc23]

Hey guys new to chevy motors, just been working on my ford and I finally got my GM pickup. It has what seems to be anywhere from a 73 Nova/Chevelle (307ci) or a 88 camaro (305ci). But I know one of the heads is cracked. But I'm wondering if I should try to build this motor or look for a 350ci motor. Looking to make my truck a muscle truck in the end, but will take a little while getting there on my budget. Any ideas on getting my 5.0L to run pretty decent now until I do a 350 or something

[Layne]

Pretty much any bolt ons will transfer to your 350, headers, intake, maybe carb, definetly not a cam though. Heads, i don't know. I know they'll bolt up, but I don't know if they'll be ok for both motors. 305's are darn reliable, but not power makers. I'd do some bolt ons, then start making a stock pile for your 350

[team39763]

Check the numbers on the back of the block then post them up so someone can tell you what you have exactly.  I've seen a kid with a big cammed 305 in his Camaro and it ran pretty good.  I'd estimate that his car was about 3800-3900 with him in it, and it ran in the 14's I believe.  If you have a chance to get a 350, do that.  You'll kick yourself when you realize how much you put in that 305 just to be at the same level as a mild 350.

[Layne]

Just reading back, what heads do you have? 624's? I think, and I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, 882 heads are the best of the smog heads, and you can get them pretty cheap.

[86gmc23]

Not sure at the moment, where would I find the numbers on the head to identify it?

And where are numbers on back of block, would I have to remove tranny?

[86gmc23]

Here are numbers I found on head..

[86gmc23]

Ok since I have a long way to go on this truck I think I'm going to sell the 305 and buy a 350. I know I will want it in the long run. If I goto a junk yard to look for a complete 350 what kind of car should I be looking in and what components should I look for on it? Any help would be great.

[beastie_3]

Ive read 882 heads are worthless....

[eramirez198121]

Hey bro if you go and get one from a junk yard make sure they have a good refund policy just in case the block is cracked. You would not want to get stuck with a worthless 350 sometimes it is better to go to a good machine shop to find a use 350 there it would already be clean and ready to assemble. I hope that help.

[team39763]

The late 80's firebirds and Camaros had roller cammed 350's in them and the 96+ truck(vortec) engines came with good heads and provisions for a roller cam.  That's what I'd be after.

[86gmc23]

Thanks for help guys, may head over to a yard by my house tomorrow just to start looking.

May just try to sell the 305 now and start working on body and such, then if I run into a 350 along the line pick it up. Would like to get it running but dont want to spend any money thats not getting me closer to my Final Build. Have some rust areas I need to straighten out, if I'm going to weld in new metal down the line should I put a product like Por15 now so it doesn't get worse.

[Swims350]

well the heads posted are as follows...

14101081 305 87-94 1.84/1.50 58cc

[86gmc23]

Turns out there was only one head in the truck when it got delivered anyways lol. Thanks for specs tho

[86gmc23]

Heres pic of manifold

[beastie_3]

Are you thinking of using that manifold?