Looking for the Engine (Part 2)

Since none of our existing engines proved to be suitable for our needs (they would have needed a lot of machining work to be done, and thus would not meet the criteria of cheap-assing this thing), we had to start looking elsewhere.

Local ”second hand racing parts dealer” had really interesting option available:

It’s original 4 bolt 350 engine, which has been rebuilt couple years ago. How can engine like this be cheap, you might ask? Answer is simple: the block is cracked. During the last rebuild, it was converted into marine usage, and it has been used in a boat for couple summers. One fall it was not properly drained, and the block froze and cracked. Our idea was, that if the crack is on lower part of the block, it could be welded from the outside, and we could fill the bottom half of the block with concrete. It would have been just fine for drag strip usage. Sadly, the crack was quite high on the side, and closer inspection also revealed that the block was already drilled 60 over, so it’s really on it’s last legs.

Next option: good old 305

Wait, what? We are looking to make some power, and we’re looking at smaller engines? Yes. This thing is in astonishingly good condition. It’s very, very low mileage engine. It still has original bore size! If you squint a little, tilt your head right way, and look from the edge of your eye, you can still imagine seeing some of the original cross hatching on the cylinders:

It had couple rough spots from the time sitting on the shelf, but it only took few brushes with Scotch-Brite and they are already long gone!

This baby does not need anything but some dingle ball action and it’s good to go!

But what about that power? Excellent question! Simple answer. This fat lady is not going to sing. This fat lady is going to whistle:

These bad boys are rated 200-400hp each, so we are right in the middle of the ball park between ”fun” and ”this thing is going to explode”.