I agree with a lot of what you said, Lincoln, but there's one additional issue with the 305. The smaller bore limits valve size in the heads unless you notch the block...in which case the cylinder head flow ain't all that great.
Because of that breathing limitation, they've gotten a really bad reputation, particularly as a performance motor. I spent a couple of years trying to make one even semi-fast in a Monte Carlo SS. In the end I gave up and put a 406 in it.
I had a couple 305s around the shop, but they were more like stumbling blocks than door stops...so I threw 'em away. Now I've got a couple of spare 400s which I think I'll keep.
