85 Monte Carlo SS
 

Hey all, my name is Dan. Last year I traded my Harley for an 85 Monte Carlo SS (didn't ride enough). I've always loved this car and now I finally have one. I joined this forum because I'm sure I'll have some questions as I begin to swap the engine. I am a mechanic at a local power plant now, worked on cars for 3 years before, and was an F-15 Crew Chief in the Air Force for 7 years before that. There isn't much I can't do mechanically, but I don't really have the experience on engines. I plan on changing the 305 to 350. Not sure if I'm going to build it or buy one. There is a guy near me with a 383 stroker pushing 480 HP for sale for $2500. I guess my questions will come once I decide what I'm doing. I look forward to talking to you all.

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum!! :)
Hmmmm I would be all over that 383 stroker!!! LOL But that's just me. :)

It's a good price but it has been sitting for 10 years. He says he's gone out and manually turned it every week but I'm still skeptical.

Yeah, if it has been sitting that long, there will be some work that needs to be done but maybe you can use that to get him to come down on the price a bit.

Thanks Bossman...I waited to long too make a decision. He sold it the other day. Now begins my engine building journey.

Hi Dan, my question pertains to the stock 305. Is it worn out or you just wanting more ponies? Not long ago you could still buy a gm 350 crate engine for like $1300. Granted it was pretty much just a stock 350 nothing special out of the crate. but with a quality carb and headers/exhaust 300hp was very easy and inexpensive to get to. Which to me isn't bad for a toy to cruise in on a budget. Plus with that engine If I recall was GM Part # 10067353 you still got a hell of a warranty.
just a thought if $$ is a concern. my first SS was an 85, loved it. Dad still has his 85 SS he got new and I still own an 86 SS aerocupe as well as 06 SS.
Those 305's aint bad for what they are. But rebuilding one would cost about what you could buy the 350 I mentioned and direct bolt in.
I worked for chevy dealer back years ago and sold tons on those engines. I'm goin off memory here but I think it comes with oil pan/timing cover, valve covers.

That's an excellent question. If I can afford it, I want it to haul some serious ass. I'm hoping that I can get parts here and there over the winter and have it ready by spring. I guess the short answer is that I want more horses. My dad is a huge fan of the 350 and swears by it, so he put it in my head that that's what I should put in it. I'm leaning towards a 383 stroker. Would anyone like to make life easy on me and put together a full parts list of what I need to build 450 plus HP? Haha...actually talking with motor heads at work and doing research online, and getting a good idea of what I need. Just takes time and money, I guess, to do it right. I've thought of a buying a built engine but...expensive and I won't be able to say "I built it".