Help: Chevy 305 and 350 build questions

I always thought the book "How to Hotrod Small Block Chevys," which has been around forever, was about the best all around book for what you're doing. I would put a very high priority on keeping the numbers-matching engine, although you could just get a 350 to put in the car while keeping the stock engine stored somewhere. Personally I've always thought the 305's were a pretty good engine when in good condition. I don't think they were known for being a gas hog of the calibre yours seems to be, though--something's wrong there. The smoking could just be valve guide seals, easy to check for that and they can be changed without tearing everything apart if you have the proper tool.

I had to search and see if 77 was the last year of the "real iron" or the first year of the plastic bumpers. You got the cool old iron.

The 350 and 305 share almost every part except the pistons. You can't bore a 305 to 350 the cylinders aren't that thick. Cranks are the same. Same stroke.

I used How to Rebuild your Small Block Chevy to build 4 motors. It takes you through teardown, reconditioning, and reassembly. You cant beat it. With the low mileage of your motor I would try just replacing the valve seals. It would be so much easier than rebuilding the whole thing.

I hate to tell you but there is probably nothing you can do about the mileage. It is a big heavy car and not much you can do about that.

I know it's not exactly an economy car, but eleven mpg still seems pretty darn low. I've had several full-size chevy pickups of the same vintage which would do better than that, 3/4 ton, 350 4bbl.

Bill, you should be able to find rebuild kits in the U.S. for the 305. In the off-chance that you can't, here's a link to a Canadian source. I assume that prices are in Canadian $, so it should be even cheaper in U.S. $.

I agree. I had a '74 Monte Carlo with the 350 engine, 4bbl & dual exhaust & I got close to 30 m.p.g. on highway trips. In '74, the Monte Carlo was considered an intermediate size vehicle, not a large one. It was also called a "personal luxury" car.

I also agree with James on using "How to Hotrod Small Block Chevys" as a reference source. Here's one link where you can pick it up for $ 18.95. Hit on the link and then click on Page 5. It's the first item on Page 5.

That was about the mileage a Pinto of that vintage got. A Monte Carlo of that year getting that kind of mileage would be nothing less than a miracle.

Absolutely. There just isn't any way.

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that book once. I will track one down. Thanks for the tip on the numbers.

That is pure BS, 30 MPG on a trip with a Monte. You have very bad math skills or wishfull thinking.

I always find it fascinating that Bozo's like you three challenge someone's credibility without substantiating your comments. Scott, you are quoted as saying "I had to search and see if 77 was the last year of the "real iron" or the first year of the plastic bumpers." Funny how you had to look that up, yet you claim to know that my mileage figure is inaccurate. How did you become an expert on Monte Carlo's so quickly? So what was the mileage of the '74 Monte Carlo then Scott? Put up (with a credible source) or shut up Scott! I challenge you.

You go on to say "It is a big heavy car and not much you can do about that." What was the car's weight Scott? What was the H.P. of the 350? What was the torque? Did the Car have a catalytic converter? Or did it still run unleaded fuel?

gfulton & TheSnoman are simply jumping on the bandwagon, for no particular reason other than they doubt the veracity of my comments simply because they never owned a '74 Monte Carlo and they just don't know anything about it. They are speaking from simple ignorance of the issue and lack of knowledge and experience. They would have been better off remaining quiet and appearing stupid, than opening their mouths and removing all doubt. It's easy to flame someone when you weren't there and didn't do that. But it's quite another thing to support your cheap shots with credible evidence.

So there you have it kiddies - put up or apologize and shut up, when you don't know what you're talking about! In conclusion, "I had a '74 Monte Carlo with the 350 engine, 4bbl & dual exhaust & I got close to 30 m.p.g. on highway trips." And that's a fact, so I know that it can't be proven wrong. Who's spewing "pure BS" now "TheSnoMan"? ;-)

Before the 3 stooges flame me again, that should have read "Or did it still run leaded fuel?"

As a point of interest I still own a 1971 Pinto with nearly 330k on the clock. As to fuel mileage my 2005 Lincoln LS does as well on the highway as does the Pinto, around 27 MPG. Old cars can not come close to todays cars in terms of reliability, longevity, safety and fuel mileage. In the fifties the warranty was 30 days or 1,000 miles WOF. Oil needed to be changed every

1,000 miles, Plugs points, tires and shocks around 10,000 and the rings need to be changed at 50,000. Today oil changes are at 5,000 miles or six months and most any car from any manufacture will easily go 100K before needing to be tuned and they all will easily last to 200K or more given the proper preventive maintenance. ;)

mike hunt

Thanks for your knowledgeable input Mike. It's refreshing to see someone give another NG member the benefit of the doubt. I was po'd when the 3 guys ripped into me, but I knew why they were amazed at my claim and chose to rip me. I was going to wait until those other three called me a liar again, but given your politeness, I'll tip my hand now. As you can see from my I.P. address, I'm from Canada. Prior to converting to the dreaded metric system of measurement, Canada used the Imperial gallon at the gas pump. By comparison, the U.S. gallon was .8327 of an Imperial gallon. As I stated, my '74 Monte Carlo got close to 30 m.p.g. on longer trips. 30 miles per Imperial gallon equates to 24.981 miles per U.S. gallon. I told the truth from the outset, but the 3 guys who flamed me chose to do so, rather than try to understand why I got 30 m.p.g. To them I say "Things are not always what they seem". ;-)

It is up to you to prove it. I am not here making wild claims.

Just for fun I am asking the owners of similar models at the Monte Carlo owners club what kind of mileage they get with their cars.

Will post the replys here.

First of all Scot, your computer clock has the wrong time because your message above wasn't posted at 5:40PM. In keeping with your type of wild accusations, did you reset your clock, so that you could pretend that you wrote your response before reading my message at 5:10PM, in response to Mike Hunter? What a dumb-ass move Scot! But then, it tells me the type of mentality we're dealing with here. ;-) To make you look even sillier, I will now repost the part of my 5:10PM message that you don't want to acknowledge:

"Thanks for your knowledgeable input Mike. It's refreshing to see someone give another NG member the benefit of the doubt. I was po'd when the 3 guys ripped into me, but I knew why they were amazed at my claim and chose to rip me. I was going to wait until those other three called me a liar again, but given your politeness, I'll tip my hand now. As you can see from my I.P. address, I'm from Canada. Prior to converting to the dreaded metric system of measurement, Canada used the Imperial gallon at the gas pump. By comparison, the U.S. gallon was .8327 of an Imperial gallon. As I stated, my '74 Monte Carlo got close to 30 m.p.g. on longer trips. 30 miles per Imperial gallon equates to 24.981 miles per U.S. gallon. I told the truth from the outset, but the 3 guys who flamed me chose to do so, rather than try to understand why I got 30 m.p.g. To them I say "Things are not always what they seem". ;-) "

Do you understand what's going on now Scot? Are you ready to admit that you were wrong? Be a man Scot - apologize for your mistake and let's get on with our lives.

Sure I understand. You posted your mileage in Canadian gallons instead of US gallons. How are we to know?

I will apologize when hell freezes over. All I said was mileage you claimed would be a miracle and I was right. Now try to get a life.

PS I have a hard time believing 25 mpg US on that boat also.

Uh, because I'm from Canada. Duh! Why would someone from Canada post their mileage in U.S. gallons? Prior to metric conversion, I bought gas in Imperial gallons. (Not Canadian gallons!!!) Scott, it may be news to you, but this is an international NewsGroup, not a U.S. NewsGroup. That's how you're to know.

Pride is a terrible thing Scott. No Scott, the mileage I posted was correct. The miracle is that you are actually too dumb to see that. You are wrong Scott. Hell just froze over.

Too proud to admit you were wrong Scott? Repeat after me Scott: "You were correct StingRay and I apologize." 'Nuff Said.

Scott, please don't ask me to try rationalizing why you have a hard time believing it. I owned the car Scott and got around 30 m.p.g. It's a fact man. Get over it! ;-)

P.S. Are you sure that you are thinking of the right car Scott? Because it really wasn't that big - it was an intermediate size car in its day.

Duh yourself.

Here's what shows up in the headers: "StingRay"

Exactly what in that header denotes that you're posting from Canada?

Get over yourself already.

aarcuda69062, it's sad really to see you demonstrate to the entire NewsGroup that you don't know how to access the full headers. Take a few lessons "already"!