SBC 305 cam question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rick0312 · 03-02-2008, 10:16 PM

i am rebuilding a chevy 305 for the truck. Looking to put some life back into the motor and was wondering if this cam set up would help improve the motors performance. What do you guys think?....thanks rick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...7757QQtcZphoto

greasy68 · 03-02-2008, 10:59 PM

It sounds like a good deal. I have never done business with that seller. I am still a little worried about buying stuff off ebay but it does look like a good deal.

rick0312 · 03-03-2008, 10:47 AM

I hear the rv cam is a nice upgrade for this motor.

*Billla* · 03-03-2008, 08:18 PM

The problems with the 305 are lousy heads compounded by the small bore shrouding the valves. This limits the benefits that additional lift and duration will offer. That's certainly the most cam I would run in a 305.

I'm sure you've been told, but the best upgrade you can do during a 305 rebuild is to a 350

Blackbird66 · 03-03-2008, 08:43 PM

A GM goodwrench 350 is a great motor, for less than a quality rebuild. ( machine work + parts) If you are not doing a full rebuild, and stay with a 305, We have installed the 300hp 327 cam gm cam with real good success in a 305 on several occasions. My personal experience is that factory replacement cams from gm are the best all around street cams.

*Billla* · 03-03-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbird66

We have installed the 300hp 327 cam gm cam with real good success in a 305 on several occasions.

My personal experience is that factory replacement cams from gm are the best all around street cams.

That would be the famous GM #3896929 or "390" cam which I agree is a great mild street cam, especially for small displacement engines. CompCams sells this grind as grind # 12-105-3 and GMPP as 12364051.

The mild GM cams are good picks for mild street engines, but any mods (intake, heads, exhaust, etc.) and the aftermarket cams start showing real benefits IMHO.

rick0312 · 03-03-2008, 10:57 PM

Thanks`i would love to upgrade to a 350, but it's just not in the budget right now. check out the driver side head i pulled off. I assume this is an intake port...No wonder the motor was boggy!

*Billla* · 03-03-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick0312

Thanks`i would love to upgrade to a 350, but it's just not in the budget right now. check out the driver side head i pulled off. I assume this is an intake port...No wonder the motor was boggy!

No, that's not an intake port. That's the exhaust crossover the heats the floor of the intake manifold. They always look like that, and it has no impact on performance. If you're doing an overhaul, you should know where the intake ports are

FYI, if you're having to grind the crank and machine the block, then the cost is almost identical to doing a 350.

rick0312 · 03-04-2008, 02:15 AM

I think you guys have convinced me...I am going with the 350 crate from GM.....thanks

*Billla* · 03-04-2008, 03:04 AM

Rick, I didn't mean the intake comment as a shot - my sincere apologies if it was taken that way.

I do think you're going the right direction - the 260 or 290HP GM crate engines are impossible to beat on price or quality for a daily driver engine. They also upgrade pretty well with some smart changes.

Just be sure to make sure all the seals are wet with a little oil, prelube the heck out of it and add a pint of GM EOS before starting it.

**truckdude239** · 03-04-2008, 05:32 AM

hey i rebuilt the 305 for my truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=245056

i went witha stock cam but am thinking about pulling it out and putting an rv cam in it before puting it in the truck

*Billla* · 03-04-2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

hey i rebuilt the 305 for my truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=245056

i went witha stock cam but am thinking about pulling it out and putting an rv cam in it before puting it in the truck

What did you spend, engine out to engine in? The point here is that it costs the same to build a 350 as a 305...and that a crate is cheaper than either.

I still wouldn't bother doing a significant cam upgrade with all the issues with a 305...

jwcardy · 03-04-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick0312

Thanks`i would love to upgrade to a 350, but it's just not in the budget right now. check out the driver side head i pulled off. I assume this is an intake port...No wonder the motor was boggy!

wow that looks like fun...
-wes

rick0312 · 03-04-2008, 09:03 AM

Hey Bill not offended at all!

I am gratefull for all of the feedback you give, especially to first timers lik me! Thanks for the input! I started calculating the cost to rebuild the 305 as you suggested and came to the conclusion that purchasing the 350 is the way to go...so I ordered it tonight from my local chevy dealer online. i purchased the 260/hp for $1400. i decided on this motor beause of the better low end torque...oh and the price! I'll post a pic when it comes in and maybe you guys can suggest an intake and a decent carb. thanks so much!....rick

corn · 03-04-2008, 09:08 AM

I bought an 83 half ton truck from a guy who replaced the 305 cam with a stock 350 cam. That truck felt like it had a 350 motor. If I ever own another 305, Ill swap it to a 350 cam...

03-02-2008, 10:16 PM	#1
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	SBC 305 cam question i am rebuilding a chevy 305 for the truck. Looking to put some life back into the motor and was wondering if this cam set up would help improve the motors performance. What do you guys think?....thanks rick http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...7757QQtcZphoto

03-02-2008, 10:59 PM	#2
greasy68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: austin texas Posts: 202	Re: SBC 305 cam question It sounds like a good deal. I have never done business with that seller. I am still a little worried about buying stuff off ebay but it does look like a good deal. __________________ Mike 68 C10 LWB midnight blue metallic 307ci, 700R4, HEI front discs, leaf spring rear tilt steering wheel, stock ride height, rally wheels, 2007 Dodge Charger(Hemi)

03-03-2008, 08:18 PM	#4
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: SBC 305 cam question The problems with the 305 are lousy heads compounded by the small bore shrouding the valves. This limits the benefits that additional lift and duration will offer. That's certainly the most cam I would run in a 305. I'm sure you've been told, but the best upgrade you can do during a 305 rebuild is to a 350

03-03-2008, 08:43 PM	#5
Blackbird66 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 51	Re: SBC 305 cam question A GM goodwrench 350 is a great motor, for less than a quality rebuild. ( machine work + parts) If you are not doing a full rebuild, and stay with a 305, We have installed the 300hp 327 cam gm cam with real good success in a 305 on several occasions. My personal experience is that factory replacement cams from gm are the best all around street cams.

03-03-2008, 10:57 PM	#7
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: SBC 305 cam question Thanks`i would love to upgrade to a 350, but it's just not in the budget right now. check out the driver side head i pulled off. I assume this is an intake port...No wonder the motor was boggy! Attached Images

03-03-2008, 10:47 AM	#3
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: SBC 305 cam question I hear the rv cam is a nice upgrade for this motor.

03-04-2008, 02:15 AM	#9
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: SBC 305 cam question I think you guys have convinced me...I am going with the 350 crate from GM.....thanks

03-04-2008, 03:04 AM	#10
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,815	Re: SBC 305 cam question Rick, I didn't mean the intake comment as a shot - my sincere apologies if it was taken that way. I do think you're going the right direction - the 260 or 290HP GM crate engines are impossible to beat on price or quality for a daily driver engine. They also upgrade pretty well with some smart changes. Just be sure to make sure all the seals are wet with a little oil, prelube the heck out of it and add a pint of GM EOS before starting it.

03-04-2008, 05:32 AM	#11
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,217	Re: SBC 305 cam question hey i rebuilt the 305 for my truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=245056 i went witha stock cam but am thinking about pulling it out and putting an rv cam in it before puting it in the truck __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

03-04-2008, 09:03 AM	#14
rick0312 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 403	Re: SBC 305 cam question Hey Bill not offended at all! I am gratefull for all of the feedback you give, especially to first timers lik me! Thanks for the input! I started calculating the cost to rebuild the 305 as you suggested and came to the conclusion that purchasing the 350 is the way to go...so I ordered it tonight from my local chevy dealer online. i purchased the 260/hp for $1400. i decided on this motor beause of the better low end torque...oh and the price! I'll post a pic when it comes in and maybe you guys can suggest an intake and a decent carb. thanks so much!....rick

03-04-2008, 09:08 AM	#15
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: SBC 305 cam question I bought an 83 half ton truck from a guy who replaced the 305 cam with a stock 350 cam. That truck felt like it had a 350 motor. If I ever own another 305, Ill swap it to a 350 cam... Last edited by corn; 03-04-2008 at 09:08 AM.



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