WickedZ

Good morning,

Okay, got the 4th gens at least running for now.

My problem is in regards to my much weaker cousin, the '85Z28. I have a blown motor (LG4 #2) and am considering utilizing the short block from a throttle body injected 305 a friend is basically giving away. With this in mind, I have the following questions:

...Can I use a mechanical fuel pump on this short block, or is there even a lobe for one on a roller cam --> it's an '88 block. If not, which would be a respectable pump to push a 100-shot and maybe 225 horse from the engine alone?

...How big a cam is too big for either a stroked 305 or a rebuilt 305 with maybe 9.25:1 compression. It will see street duty. I'm assuming around .490 lift or thereabouts? Correct me if I'm wrong.

...Aside from these differences, is there any other oddities I may run into doing this mod, such as, heads not properly alligning or other tolerance or clearance problems, etc (this will be a very cheap rebuild, I hope). I know horsepower-wise, a carbed 305 is considered by most a joke, but I'm an fbody junkie, and this was(is) my daily driver. Already have complete top end, just need a short block, and haven't found an LG4 or L69 to replace the setup I already had.

Thanks for your assistance in advance!

NightTrain66

I do not believe the cam has a fuel pump lobe on that motor but I am not 100% sure.

A tried and tested pump is the Holley blue. It will handle the load and will not cost too much. Obviously a BG 280 and some return style regulator would be a lil better but ALOT more $. The Holley Blue will work fine. make sure ya mount it by the tank where it is pretty much gravity fed. Ya would not believe the ones I see mounted under the hood. ?????????????????????

The lift will not hurt ya but the duration is what ya need to look at. If this is a 305 with a rpm range of 1800-6000 than a Comp 268 XE would be a descent choice. If ya are using a NORMAL carb and not any of that factory computer system this should work. If ya are wanting more RPM, less RPM than maybe a lil bigger/smaller cam, or if ya are using any of the factory computer system than I would suggest calling COMP b/c the wrong cam (duration and/or lobe seperation) will cause HELL with factory computers on these cars. If the car has a normal carb and distributor or if ya are switchin to normal components than the cam selection could be widened.

The only thing i can think of as far as heads is that if ya change heads make sure ya put some 305 heads back on a 305 since the chambers are smaller than the 350 heads of the same year. Also if ya are using headers or stock manifolds, make sure that the end header bolts are the correct spacing, some use a lil diff. bolt pattern on the end cylinders that may or may not work with what ya got.

Overall as long as the 305 is in descent shape (no blow-by and valves are sealing), it is not overcammed and the carb/ignition system is fairly in tune than it will run good.

NightTrain66