The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop i fergit--305-350-400

i remember a 400 balances at the flywheel, and can tell from the balancer--but i forget how to tell a 305 from a 350. you guys know?

Kool, the 305's have large, square nottches in the crankshaft to remove weight for balance; since the bore is so much smaller than the 4" bore 350. Or, just run the block casting #'s through the MorTec site. Are the engines you are looking at still assembled or torn down? (I should have asked that first) :o .

Kool, later model truck engines from about 87 up had the size cast into the b/house mounting flange near the head in back. Or, on front near right head is block surface with the stampings with letters and date. Use letters to call a dealer or the Mortec site above and it wil tell you size, year, and trans was used with and sometimes the HP and carb set-up. I'm thinking the balancer was smaller on the later 305's, can't remember for sure. Where's all your rodder buddies when you need questions answered? :p

koolkar, if the engine is 87 and up, just look the casting number behind the driver's side cilinder head, there will be a 5.0(305) or 5.7(350), if it is a pre 86 engine, You'll have to check the casting number to see what You've got.
Also, if the heads are off, the bore is 4", the 305 is 3.730, both std size.
As for the damper, except the 400, all other small blcks are internal balance, so a damper from one will fit all other, except the 400. So depending on the engine year and model, you can have almost any damper in it. There were a big, 8" model that was pretty common on 305, but not a general rule. I've found both the 305 and the 350 with some weel assorted damper sizes.