Quick question about different year engines and parts compatability. HELP!!!

[flair666369]

My friend has enheireted a 1971 5.7 350 engine with a bad crankshaft and a 1986 5.0 305 engine with a bad block. Is there any way he can put the two together to make one good engine? Are they compatable? Another question is that the whole entire skirt on one of the cylinders of the 86 block is missing and the cylinder wall is gouged, can something like that be sleeved? If you sleeve one cylinder do all others have to be sleeved? Thanx afor the help.

[tRustyK5]

I'm pretty sure the 305 crank is the same as the 350 crank. 305 is 3.75" bore x 3.48" stroke. 350 is 4" bore x 3.48" stroke.

Sounds like the 305 block is junk. It may be repairable if you threw enough money at it...but why bother when you can find decent builders all day long for $200 or less?

Rene

[flair666369]

thanks for the help, sorry for the late reply, i am in the army and had to go out and train for a little, you do have a very good point though, a new block would probably be more reliable. i'll tell my friend.

[bigj-dog]

A 1971 350 is an externally balanced crank, a two-piece rear main seal block. (the crank isn't perfectly round at the transmission end). An '86 305 should have a one piece rear main seal and the transmission end of the crank should be perfectly round. So, the cranks can't interchange. Another little tip, if you're going to use the heads off the '71, make sure you have hardened valve seats installed, or today's unleaded gas will eat up the old soft seats. Good luck.