Saw this on Facebook marketplace and the part of me that makes bad decisions kicked in.
It's about 50/50 fairly well done slash hot mess. Going to go pick it up this afternoon.
The idea is to use it for rallycross. It has an automatic, currently, so I feel like it might actually sort of work for that.
I also might just be making up excuses to justify buying something I've always wanted.
I know next to nothing about American engines or this version of the RX7. I did have an FC for my first car, but this seems to share very little with that vehicle. It has a carb, so I will have to learn to practice witchcraft which of course I'm super excited about.
I've already been scouting GSL-SE donors for better running gear. It looks very original under there.
In reply to dr_strangeland :
That looks like fun. Try and get the numbers stamped into the block in front of the passenger head. Also casting numbers driver's side rear.
Absolutely. It's hard to access those areas, I'll get a better look when we get it home.
In reply to dr_strangeland :
Don't forget the gas station visit.
Stampie said:
In reply to dr_strangeland :
That looks like fun. Try and get the numbers stamped into the block in front of the passenger head. Also casting numbers driver's side rear.
Think it might be original to the car?! 
In reply to A 401 CJ :
Lol. Maybe we can figure out what it came from.
I ran shotgun on this trip. At the first rest stop I pulled the numbers off the block and ran them through Mortec.com.
It is exactly what you expect to find when a seller tells you it's got a 350.
In reply to AClockworkGarage :
(Insert sad face)
Smog era 305?
Not a boomer, so not traumatized by finding out it's almost certainly a 305. I'm sure I can make it work until a better junkyard motor comes along.
Most pressing matters include proper seats and getting whatever roll bar type thing is in there, out of there.
Not really interested in driving it anywhere with those things. Also the battery is not attached to anything and just held in by gravity. Brake reservoir is pretty much empty. It needs all new fluids.
In reply to dr_strangeland :
Sounds to me that you got one of those high performance IROC Z motors.
460776
Mortec returns a '78-'79 truck 305 2 bolt.
Looks like an LG3. So 160hp, 250 lb/ft. 8.5:1 comp ratio.
Mods look like a parts store edelbroke 500 (?) carb and a no name aluminum single plane manifold.
Trans is a TH-350 trans no idea on fdr.
fact is, this is a 2500lb car. Even the much maligned 305 is bringing an additional 60hp and 249 lb/ft over the stock dorito, all that on regular pump gas. This car should be pretty raucous.
In reply to AClockworkGarage :
I'm trying to wrap my head around the choices made in carb/intake/engine. Does it run? Sound stock or have a cam?
We need to get you a set of valve covers that say "Rotary"
It runs really well. Doesn't rev like a low compression motor, or sound like a slug really.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ccrp-9903-305-chevy-small-block-engine-build/
Motor Trend used a single plane on a 305 to find a bunch of power. I'm going to leave it alone for the moment.
I wired one of these with a worked 383 in it.
A 305 sounds way more usable.
In reply to dr_strangeland :
I always thought it was strange that in the Ford world it's "drop a 5.0 in there" but in the Chevy world it's "oh why a 305?". I agree it should be more than adequate.
Stampie said:
In reply to dr_strangeland :
I always thought it was strange that in the Ford world it's "drop a 5.0 in there" but in the Chevy world it's "oh why a 305?". I agree it should be more than adequate.
^^^ This right here ^^^
Decent heads and a properly tuned carb will net far more power than it needs. Best part of the SBC architecture is that 1) parts are everywhere, and 2) the damn things run forever.
If there's a bigger, hotter motor available, then people who read magazines and spec sheets will shake their heads sadly and tell you your car is worthless.
I quite literally just bought the quintessential 'underpowered' car - an E36 M3 - last fall, and have put off plans to add more power. It doesn't need it. Not yet anyway.
I have a hunch this won't need it either. Not for a long, long time, if ever. But I'll tell everyone I'm looking for a 350, it'll make them happy.
Labor Day rallycross is in two weeks. I might sign up. I need working lights and I know these don't work. I have LED fixtures that should be sufficient, though.
Ok. Registered for Labor Day dirtcross in modified rwd. I will need a seat and working lights, and to fix the battery in place. Dry rotted 13 inch tires will be perfect.
Stampie said:
In reply to dr_strangeland :
I always thought it was strange that in the Ford world it's "drop a 5.0 in there" but in the Chevy world it's "oh why a 305?". I agree it should be more than adequate.
Bore size. A 5.0 SBF has a 4" bore (and BB style heads). A 305 SBC is a 3.736" bore and has siamesed center exhaust ports. That's why CI for CI a SBF (and an LS) always outpowers a SBC.
dr_strangeland said:
Ok. Registered for Labor Day dirtcross in modified rwd. I will need a seat and working lights, and to fix the battery in place. Dry rotted 13 inch tires will be perfect.
Might want to re think tires, or at least bring spares in case they separate. The car itself is awesome.
The 305 is a small bore long stroke. It's basically a stroked 265. GM also made the opposite in the DZ-302. A short stroke large bore that would scream to almost 9500 RPM.
People hate on the 305 because the 350 exists. there are two major advantages to the 350.
The bore size allows you to run larger valves and move more air.
The economy of scale. Since all 327,350,383s use the same pistons and heads, lots of companies make them. There is competition and choice. They're less expensive. fewer companies make small bore stuff. It exists, but it's more expensive.
Dollar for dollar you can build a better 350 for the same price. This is why people E36 M3 on the 305 and tell you it's worthless.
But there is a hidden advantage here. It's still a SBC. You can still do everuthing you can do to a 350. While it makes less HP, the 305 typically makes the same torque as its equivalent 350. It will be plenty adequate for this little car. and because 305s are so unfairly hated... they're practically free.
every inbred thinks their 350 truck motor with an edelbroke carb and "3/4 race cam" is worth $2000, but you can get running take out 305s for their scrap weight.
And what's more fun than whooping someone, then telling them it's a 305?
305 aren't terrible, usually are quite cheap as others said. Later on if you change to a 350/383, keep it looking the same an no one will know you changed it.
That hose on the intake, if it is going to the water pump, get rid of it and block the holes. SBC water pumps have an internal bypass, so that hose is just feeding hot water back into the engine.
I like the car, I'm definitely not a purist.
I'm mostly concerned that the diff won't be long for this world if you start beating on it!
sevenracer said:
I like the car, I'm definitely not a purist.
I'm mostly concerned that the diff won't be long for this world if you start beating on it!
If the diff explodes, it clearly needed an upgrade.
