Which one to use?

[Blazin]

Yellow snow is in need of a heart transplant do to 30 lbs. compression in # 4 & about 10 lbs. in #7 cylinders. Get through the winter with a used motor while I rebuild the one in it, or another one.
I have a known 85 305 out of a Blazer that has been sitting in the row of parts rigs behind the shop for 5 or 6 years. It has 180 to 185 lbs. compression across 8 cylinders, ran good when I parked it back there, little fuel down the carb, & it ran good a few days ago before I cut the truck up for scrap.  I also have a GM reman 350 that has 120 to 155  lbs. across 8 cylinders out of a recently acquired 83 K 10 that is being cut up as well. Drove it to the shop a few weeks back, ran like crap. Pretty sure the reason for that is the Edeljunk carb that's on it. Thinking about swapping a different carb on today, & hearing it run before my final decision is made.
Just curious of input as to which one you guys think I should use?

[zieg85]

No brainer for me, go with the known 85 305 out of a Blazer.  Toss it in and only rebuild yellows if the 305 isn't up to the task

[Blazin]

Thats what I am leaning toward.
The two most reliable small blocks I have ever own have been 305s.

[zieg85]

Back in the day they were either really good or they flat cam'd out and were problematic.  But I've had a few that were very smooth

[Stewart G Griffin]

My 305 is from a 78 malibu and still runs fine and has never been rebuilt.    People rag on 305s but they are dependable and have no problems scooting the truck (when empty) along at 65, 75 etc. mph.

[Blazin]

Yellow Snow is rarely empty, & plows snow too!

[fitz]

Didn't the motor in yellow snow give you trouble breaking harmonic balancer bolts last winter?
I'd put a carb on the GM rebuilt 350 and see how it runs.
If it runs good, I'd put it in yellow snow and call it a day.
I know anything can be rebuilt, but I'd be nervous about why the harmonic balancer was acting up last year.

[Blazin]

I yanked it last winter & put a brand new crank & bearings in. I should have done a complete rebuild then! Trying to get it together quick before the next storm. The old crank got tossed in the scrap pile!

[Blazin]

Took the Edeljunk carb off, & threw it across the yard ( that felt really good ), pulled the plugs, cleaned them up. Put the quadrajet off the 305 outa the Blazer. The 350 run very well actually.

[fitz]

  If the 350 is running good, I vote that you use that motor.
  When I think of a 305 It brings back  thoughts of the soft cams from the late 70's 305's as Zieg pointed out.
 

[roundhouse]

The 305 is great for demo derby cars

Little wimpy for a plow truck

A 305 will run for over 30 minutes with no coolant

[Blazin]

I've had 305s in trucks before. Like I said, the two most reliable small blocks I have ever had were 305s.
On that note, I think I sold the 305 today.  Plus have a lead on a 30,000 mile 350!
Decisions, decisions!!    

[frotosride]

Drop the 305 in until u at least re- ring the 350 and maybe a good can to make the torque u need for the plowing adventures. At least this way the truck can stay on the road as long as  you need it to the get the 350 up to snuff for the power you need to move white dirt. Torque is what you need even if you gotta wait a little while to get it. Granted sealing an engine in the dead of winter sucks. But its not like you gotta worry not much electrical...so easy beer night swap.

[Blazin]

The motor thats in Yellow Snow will get rebuilt. It has a brand new crank in it. Its been down all summer, been running my 87 V20, & my Cherokee. What gets put in will stay in till next fall as long as it stays together that long!

[frotosride]

305 hands down... U got low gear aka auto torque multiplier