engine swap?

[bhw33191]

I'm really hesitant to do any major engine work on my caprice and its low miles. But the idea came to mind...what if i swapped out for something like the amazing 302? All i know is that was or in my opinion the greatest of the smaller small blocks. I don't even know if it would "fit" so to say but you can make anything work if you really wanted to. To me the idea of a sleeper caprice is inspiring.

Then again i mean my "anemic" 305 is in perfect working condition and it makes me cringe to think of ripping it out or doing some serious surgery. Maybe i'll have to find another caprice to do this with.

[silicon212]

302? Are you kidding?

Those were only made for 3 years in the late 1960s, and while you can make one yourself (using a 350 block), the money you spend will not be worth the gains you get. In other words, a 302 will perform similarly to a 305 in your car - the 302 was a high RPM motor and you will never see that sort of use out of it in your Caprice.

You're better off with that 350 intact in place of the 305 if you really want to go there.

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by silicon212

302? Are you kidding?

Those were only made for 3 years in the late 1960s, and while you can make one yourself (using a 350 block), the money you spend will not be worth the gains you get. In other words, a 302 will perform similarly to a 305 in your car - the 302 was a high RPM motor and you will never see that sort of use out of it in your Caprice.

You're better off with that 350 intact in place of the 305 if you really want to go there.

Ok lol your right. I'm young so i don't have much knowledge about these older engines. I guess if i was looking for any kind of power gain (using my stock block) i should just stick to what you said about using a different cam. But hey all of this talk is still a figment of my imagination at the moment.

[NOVAZ27]

Put a chev small block "400" in that caprice. If you can find one. They are torque monsters. Around 285 foot pounds at low rpm. Couple that with a 700r4 and you should not have any bogging in overdrive. Fuel milage should be fair also.

ON THE 305. IF YOU INSTALL A NEW TIMING CHAIN USE ONE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ADVANCE THE CAM 4 DEGRESS. THIS REALLY HELPS LOW END TORQUE ON THE 305 MOTOR. VERY MINIMAL LOSS AT HIGH RPM.

John in belton
novaz7

[silicon212]

285 lb. ft. is weak for a 400, it's even weak for a 350. Most 350s can do 300-350 lb. ft and a 400 should do over 350 lb. ft.

[NOVAZ27]

Sorry about that. Should have been "385" footpounds. I had a 76 impala brookwood station wagon with a 400 smog stocker. It was a wolf in sheep clothing for at least the first 1/16 mile. Not much on top end however. Wish i still had the car.

[CD Smalley]

You must remember these are big and heavy cars. Torque is what overcomes weight.

To really get torque, you need displacement.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by CD Smalley

To really get torque, you need displacement.

Try a 472 or 500ci caddy engine, 500ft lbs stock torque.
I have one in my garage that I pulled from my 71 coupe de ville , I wanted to put into my caprice but the smog police here in socal won't let me..

[mike561]

I gotta say you still cant beat these small block chevy motors no matter what, this was quoted right from a wikipedia article "Chevrolet tested the small-block twice with no water and no oil at wide-open throttle. The first time it lasted an hour and 15 minutes and the second time it lasted two hours."

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by mike561

I gotta say you still cant beat these small block chevy motors no matter what, this was quoted right from a wikipedia article "Chevrolet tested the small-block twice with no water and no oil at wide-open throttle. The first time it lasted an hour and 15 minutes and the second time it lasted two hours."

Mine has over 300k miles on it and it's still as strong as ever.

It does use a bit more oil than it did, say, 150k miles ago, but still in a decent range.

[mike561]

I used that Lucas oil in my last oil change, ever since then ive been barely losing any oil at all, though i know i still have a slight leak.

[mike561]

Originally Posted by silicon212

Mine has over 300k miles on it and it's still as strong as ever.

It does use a bit more oil than it did, say, 150k miles ago, but still in a decent range.

I'd like to see any new engine up to the no oil and water experiment, engines nowadays probably wouldnt last more than 5 minutes

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by mike561

I'd like to see any new engine up to the no oil and water experiment, engines nowadays probably wouldnt last more than 5 minutes

I see you have an edelbrock intake..do you notice any gain in performance?

[mike561]

I did somewhat, the edelbrock i have was pretty much identical to the stock one though