305 sbc: why the hate?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 20
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From: North Central Massachusetts
305 sbc: why the hate? Why do so many people hatethe 305 sbc? I've had one in an 86 TA and that motor went forever. Granted, not the most powerful, but that engine was otherworldly reliable for me. What the heck makes these engines so unpopular?
Just that there are better (350) for cheaper, or used
to be.
But I put some 305 heads on my 307 block and got a
nice little screamer out of it, the 307 heads had sunk
the valves about 1/8" (pre-unleaded). The 305 heads
were dirt cheap, $75 the pair at the boneyard, slapped
them on and beat that motor for I dunno, 50K miles or
so.
Tiny valves, tiny runners made for fuel economy are
not your friend for HP, really. Long stroke small bore.
The 307 is mid/mid. 302 was short stroke big bore
and highly thought of as a road race revver. The
305 is for just chugging along. Which if that's your
thing, is fine.
But why would you not just get a 350 if the price
is close?
to be.
But I put some 305 heads on my 307 block and got a
nice little screamer out of it, the 307 heads had sunk
the valves about 1/8" (pre-unleaded). The 305 heads
were dirt cheap, $75 the pair at the boneyard, slapped
them on and beat that motor for I dunno, 50K miles or
so.
Tiny valves, tiny runners made for fuel economy are
not your friend for HP, really. Long stroke small bore.
The 307 is mid/mid. 302 was short stroke big bore
and highly thought of as a road race revver. The
305 is for just chugging along. Which if that's your
thing, is fine.
But why would you not just get a 350 if the price
is close?
When I was a kid I had a 92 RS with a 305 and ran the hell out of it. Finally hurt the motor being stupid and it started knocking. The oil pressure was good and I didn't see any problems after pulling the valve covers so I kept driving it. Soon after it started over heating and using water. Since it was still running like a champ I would just add water and keep driving it. To my fathers surprise it lasted another 7k miles before it finally let go 
I think its just that people compare them to a 350 sbc. Why build a 305 when you can rebuild a 350 for the same price if not a little cheaper. The 305 was a **** poor performer. In the 80's the 302 mustang GT's would rip the 305 z28 Camaro's a new ***! The 305 was a great grocery getting gas miser.
