305 vs 350 - Everyday use

[Rooster336]

Not looking to get a debate going on this but would like some first hand experience of anyone who has put both engines through everyday life.

There is a very clean 85' for sale but it has a 305 which I have never driven or worked on. For everyday use on the farm/getting feed/supplies how will it perform compared to the 350? Will I even notice a difference? I've read the articles where the authors compare building them out but that's not what I am going for. Heaviest towing I do is 3-4 round bails.

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1985-chevy-k10-4x4/6448170704.html

This is the other K10 I am looking at with the 350. Not even close to as clean...

https://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/d/1985-chevy-10-silverado-4x4/6476836468.html

 

[yevgenievich]

Not that noticeable of a difference in complete stock form for light duty use. It will pull a little less, but livable. Biggest to me would be the early 700r4 transmission unless it has been swapped out at some point of time

 

[Rooster336]

Seller says its original to the truck. What are the issues with them? What do I need to look/listen for?

 

[Frankenchevy]

holy crud! are these really the prices on square body Chevys now? I feel much better about what I paid.

as for towing, the grades along the route from point a to b make a huge difference. if it's flat, you can pull the load you've described with just about any full size truck. ask about the axle ratio. keep in mind, they put 327s in 2 ton commercial trucks. just have to gear it properly and accept the fact that your rpms are going up on the freeway.

brakes are more important when towing, btw. I'm sure you know that already, but just making sure. slow to accelerate is an exercise in patience, slow to brake can be bad.

 

[CSFJ]

Seller says its original to the truck. What are the issues with them? What do I need to look/listen for?

Like a lot of components, the early 700r4s weren't really up to the task at hand. It ttook a few changes to get them sorted to where they could live a reasonable amount of time, IF they didn't see abuse. I would be a lot more open to a 305 for your intended use if it were in front of a manual trans.

 

[Rooster336]

holy crud! are these really the prices on square body Chevys now? I feel much better about what I paid.

They're all listed high. Once you show up to look dollars start melting away. The 305 is $4000 cash which I still think is high but its the straightest body I've seen for sale yet. The 350 is $2500 cash but a few things about the wiring in that truck have me very nervous.

 

[bucket]

I've daily driven a 305 in a 2wd C10 as well as a 3/4 ton K20 Suburban. It's all in the gearing, which might suck in both of those trucks. If the 305 truck has better gearing for towing and general truck stuff than what's under the 350 truck, I'd pick the 305. No questions asked.

 

[Rooster336]

Like a lot of components, the early 700r4s weren't really up to the task at hand. It ttook a few changes to get them sorted to where they could live a reasonable amount of time, IF they didn't see abuse. I would be a lot more open to a 305 for your intended use if it were in front of a manual trans.

Manuals near me are hard to find. This is the only one with 200 miles.

https://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/d/1984-lifted-k10-4x4/6479309215.html

Well, there is this one too but doesn't run...

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1984-k10-short-bed/6476461769.html

 

[Lil'm]

Ordered and bought a new K10 swb in 86. Was told then that the only V8 available was the 305 so that's what I got. Don't recall the rear end ratio but the truck couldn't get out it's own way. Pulling anything was horrible. Suffered with it until I could get a new one in 89. 350 w/373 was a tire smoker right off the lot and wish I still had it. That said, the red one would be my choice of the two. Happy hunting

 

[bucket]

A lot of those 305 K10's came with 2.73 gearing. Terrible.

 

[Frankenchevy]

to me, motor work is a lot better than body work. I'd go with the cleanest, most stock looking truck you can find. swapping a 350 from the same era is a weekend job, easy.

 

[Crispy]

I would stay away from the K10 with the gooseneck in the bed. Suckers probably been beat to hell. Well, by stay away I mean price it to where you would be comfortable with spending a few more dollars on it if need be.

The k10 with the 305 sure has a nice body and thats worth a lot more to me. $4,000 is still a bit high but if the condition of the body is as good in real life as it looks in pics and you can verify mileage then thats worth buying.

How much do you plan on haulin with the truck? The 305 should be up to the task as long as you arent trying to win up hill slaloms with a loaded bed. I'm not trying to open up a can of worms with this but with a few dollars you can add a few ponies and make the 305 feel a little peppier. Some people refuse to put parts on a 305 but if its low mileage and set for low impact work it should provide you with years of service.

 

[TIE_Fightertk06]

My '87 with 248K on it's original 305. A833 and 3.08 rear end. Cruises at 80 on the highway and does a one-wheel peel with ease. Hauls anything in the bed I need to haul without too much complaining.

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[Rooster336]

How much do you plan on haulin with the truck? The 305 should be up to the task as long as you arent trying to win up hill slaloms with a loaded bed. I'm not trying to open up a can of worms with this but with a few dollars you can add a few ponies and make the 305 feel a little peppier. Some people refuse to put parts on a 305 but if its low mileage and set for low impact work it should provide you with years of service.

4,000-5,000lbs usually tops out what I am towing.

I thought the same thing about the gooseneck. There is a really nice 78' K25 in the area for sale but has a gooseneck as well.

 

[Rooster336]

My '87 with 248K on it's original 305. A833 and 3.08 rear end. Cruises at 80 on the highway and does a one-wheel peel with ease. Hauls anything in the bed I need to haul without too much complaining.

You must be registered for see images attach

If the seller doesn't know the gearing do you know the best way for me to figure it out?