Swap or rebuild?

[79cutlass_on_crutches]

Hey all, I hope you'll forgive me for neglecting my 79 Cutlass for the last few months...I bought a full-size 89 Blazer, and thought about selling my Olds. I never convinced myself to put it on the market, tho!

The Blazer's transmission just croaked last weekend, and the cost to repair it is more than I'm willing to put into the thing. The brutal truth of the matter is that I won't get much money out of it at this point. That being said, it has a strong TBI 350 in it, and my Cutlass needs (among other things) an engine swap or a rebuild.

I'm not sure of the transmission model in my car, but the engine is the stock 305 SBC. It was tired a long, long time ago, but it still runs. And coughs. And smokes.

What seems to be the more feasible option here? Swap, rebuild, or....?

 

[Phoenyx]

305 = junk
swap the 350

 

[megaladon6]

use the 350. no question

 

[1986elcamino383]

305 boat anchor swap it!!!!!

 

[79cutlass_on_crutches]

Just what I wanted to hear!! Seems like a no-brainer, huh? Final question before I call my local friends over to help...

Is there a way to bypass transferring the ECM, or is it going to be necessary to install it in the '79?

 

[flip66]

The only reason for ECM is for TBI no need for ECM if you use the intake carb and distributor from the 305. I have TBI on mine and its no big deal to put in the cutlass and as you know allot more driver friendly at start up. If you don't use it be sure to save everything ECM intake TBI unit and wire harness you should be able to get 100.00 plus for it.

 

[Doober]

Swap and rebuild... if it doesn't smoke or use oil, just check the bottom end out, put new bearings in if they look shoddy, get some plastigage to check clearances. When I've swapped an engine from a vehicle I don't know the history of, I always put a new oil pump on, just to be safe. If you can swing it, get a set of Vortec heads, carbed intake, and a cam. It'll wake that 350 up somethin' fierce 😀

Go with this pump. It has the thicker casting that doesn't have as high of a risk of cracking.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-224-4146A/

 

[SScamino]

swap it over to carb, spend the time picking out parts and rebuilding that eninge to get some more power!!! 😀