I pulled another free 305 roller. Previous owner stripped threads on the heads trying to put on headers. Got the engine for free if I pulled it out. !!CaChing!! I had some extra parts laying around and it is finally time to say bye to my trucks 4.3L 4bbl. Just wondering thoughts and opinions you guys might have. I put this together over the weekend with basically a $100 dollar budget. Wondering what horsepower numbers??? average Torque numbers??? Was it worth it??? remember I had all this laying around so I'm just putting it to use.

Here goes:

Stock 305 shortblock 88K miles from an 88 camaro
Rebuilt Swirl port heads from a 89 truck
Those cheap $18 dollar Fel-Pro head gaskets
Full Hooker wrapped Headers
HT-383 RamJet Roller Cam (hey it was cheap on Ebay)
1.52 Crane Cam roller rockers (they were just in my tool box I guess I'll use them)
Moroso Oil Pan (I know, no performance out of it but it's there why not use it)
Aluminum Hi rise 4 barrel intake (no name but looks sweet)
Q-jet with a 1" carb spacer


I know theses heads suck, probably the worst head ever made but thats what I have. The head gaskets are not going to do much neither but for a beat up truck I was hoping to get some good low end torque. The heads have new springs, valves and seals, I think they should be able to take the lift. I still have new GM rockers and push rods laying around, not sure if I should use those instead.

The truck has a TH400 with a shift kit and a bad front pump so I'm changing that as well. Picked up a freshly rebuilt pump off eBay for $20.00 bucks shipped. The guy labeled it wrong and it had no bids. The old 4.3 is still in good shape but the flexplate is cracked and it has over 160K miles.

Any thoughts?? was this worth it or I just waisted my time pulling the engine out of my truck and put this one in.

thanks

 

being that i have owned a tpi 305 and drive a vortec cpi 4.3, you will love the difference in power between them. the 305 should be around 200-210 hp, and torque will be around 260. compared to the 150/210 of the 4.3, it will be night and day

 

awesome thanks!! it's wierd thaat this 1/2 ton C-10 came with a TH400 and a 4.3

 

ive seen that engine put into some odd combinations including that. as to who the tard was the ordered it that way is beyond me

 

86 Scottsdale, yeah, it's an odd ball. Factory Oil cooler, A/C, casette deck Stereo, Tach, full gauges, Chassis mounted Tow hitch, 4 barrel Q-jet that sits high on the intake, removable Engine bay light and Ralleys. Has an oversize Tranny cooler and Power steering cooler thats looks factory installed but I never heard GM having that many optional oil coolers on one vehicle. Built for towing but with a 4.3L??? I got it because the kid said his police Dad was *****ing that it's was too old of a truck to trust for everyday driving. It's gone from CT to Delaware and back in 24 hours and not one thing went bad. That's when I was hooked and been dumping money in her to keep her alive!!!

 

my 95 blazer has a 4.3 with an oil cooler, ps cooler, and a regular trans cooler. it had the wiring there too for a 7 plug tow hitch, which means electric brakes. the springs were heavy load, but have since sagged