I was sure to put this here, or gen 4x4, but here goes...

I have found a crusier that I like... that i can pay for, that meets
my requirments, ect. The engine has a chevy, but it's not the 350,
it's the 305... I don't know what year or what it came out of... I
just wanted to hear all your thoughts on it...

also, if the law is gonna change next year to make '78 and older
vehicles smog exempt... should I hold out to get disc brakes and
such?

-LCL

I ran the 305 for a few years in mine with no complaints. It's not as nice as the 350 is now, but it's more than adequate, and a tad lighter on the fuel. Nice thing is, 99% of what you use to upgrade the 305 bolts onto the 350 later, like intakes, headers, ignition, etc.

BTW: Have a 305 in my garage looking for a home....block only, needs rebuild. Ho heads or intake either. Come pick up. MUCH prefer my high-nickel 350 b-bolt block...heh

The two I'm familiar with (still in Chevys) have 235K and 288K last I saw. The guy who owns 'em swears by them.

Andre

I've had the same 305 in my cruiser for 15 years (10 under my ownership and 5 under the previous owner). Everyone thinks I have a 350 until I tell them otherwise. The darn thing won't quit and give me a good reason to build a big 350 or 383:p

I wouldn't let that fact that the truck you are looking at has a 305 and not a 350 put you off of a nice cruiser. Yes, a 350 would be nice (a little more power in the same size of block) but you likely won't be able to tell.

Originally posted by LCL
I was sure to put this here, or gen 4x4, but here goes...

I have found a crusier that I like... that i can pay for, that meets
my requirments, ect. The engine has a chevy, but it's not the 350,
it's the 305... I don't know what year or what it came out of... I
just wanted to hear all your thoughts on it...

also, if the law is gonna change next year to make '78 and older
vehicles smog exempt... should I hold out to get disc brakes and
such?

-LCL

The 305 is a good motor and very adequate for a 40 series. As for the smog law change - dont hold your breath, so to speak, there are rumors that the smog nazis are trying to hold back the 25 year roll-back. Theres even talk of repealing the whole smog exempt thing - which will cause a major revolt. Dont worry about the disc brake front - doing the mini truck swap is easy - if you want factory discs you need to buy a later model 40 and that means more money!!

My dad runs a 305 in a CJ7 and it has been very impressive, or at least as impressive as a jeep can be. Better fuel economy than a 350. I would do it.

Originally posted by LCL

also, if the law is gonna change next year to make '78 and older
vehicles smog exempt... should I hold out to get disc brakes and
such?

-LCL

Right now only 73 and older vehicles are exempt and new legislation is required to exempt newer vehicles, so don't hold your breath. Just upgrade to mini truck knuckles, disks and Birfs.

thanks for the input all... i guess from what i hear, they're rock
solid and almost as good as the 350... my only problem was that
the guy who owns it said it has a cruising speed of 65 and
wouldn't take it past 70... i thought that was about the same as
the stock engine... so my question really is, am i only gettin more
power? how about mpg?

cheers
-LCL

Parts are way cheaper to replace on a 305/350. Toyota F/2F parts are more expensive and not as readilly available (as in not available) at your local parts store. You should be able to go faster than 65, my dad's 40 w/ a 350 hauls ass. But going over 70 in a swb with worn out stearing components will add some pucker to your life for sure. You just get a lot more umph w/ a 305/350. My F does fine in the flats, but it suck a big one when going up hill.
-Brian

I hit 70 over the weekend in my Fj40 and began to wonder....at what speed might the windshield break free, lay down and hit me in the face:D

I have no tach and she might go faster but I wont test the limits of Japanese technology;)

hell, I've hit 75-80 on the freeway with my F, of course any bump probably would have caused an explosion. The 305 should easily beat that. At those speeds I wouldn't worry about the engine but the 25 year old drive train, brakes, steering, etc. etc.

I've hit a little over 95 in my '76 with the stock 2f...I don't put much past that 'Japanese technology' anymore!:flipoff2:

The first engine I put into my 79” 40 was a 305 block. I went with this since it had all the TPI stuff I wanted and the price was right. As others have pointed out if it bolts to a 305 it goes right on the same era small block. Once the right time came (10 months latter) I tossed the 305 block and had a nice BEEFY 383 built for the rig. The new block runs using all the same TPI stuff and headers that the 305 used. I just had to switch the knock syns. to that of a 350 unit. I was lucky and got $175 for the 305 long block that was left over. Nobody really wants them as cores. As for cruising speed for a FJ-40….2F takes a bit but gets you up to 70 just fine, V8 gets you there much quicker. Any faster? Keep in mind the drive train will go much faster than the suspension will. I am sure I could get the thing 90+ no problem, but NO WAY will I, in a SOA short wheal base! If you wana go fast in a Toyota steal your Mom’s Camry for the day.

Deep South Cruisers-
Funny you mention the windsheild breaking free. I had it happen on my 74 a few months back. It did not come all the way back (the rear view mirror stopped it) but none the less it scared the crap out of me. I think the gasket was just old an dry. Haven't had any problems since I replaced it.
-Brian

I've hit a little over 95 in my '76 with the stock 2f...I don't put much past that 'Japanese technology' anymore!

HOLY CRAP!!! what tranny & gears & tires?? When mine was stock with 31's and 4.10's there was no way in hell i could touch 70, much less 95!!!

alright, so the speed isn't the problem it's the fact that there's no
P/S...

i might as well give you the rundown on the cruiser...

$5,500 '69 w/ the 305... stock tranny... absolutely no rust...
brown paint/white top, great condition... re-dun seats, super clean interior...

i would be the 4th owner... the 3rd used it only on a couple trips..
mostly dirt roads... 2nd owner was supposedly a bishop on a
naval base (sounds like the old lady who only used it to get
groceries and church on sundays :D)... the bishop put the 305 in
it, it now has 20k miles on it... nothin much known about the 1st
owner... all the gauges, wipers, lights, ect. work... i don't know
why he's selling and there's no paper trail on the motor... don't
know where the motor came from or what year... so far, the only
thing stopping me from gettin it is a trip to reno, which i can make
at the earliest would be next tuesday where he is totally willing
to let me borrow for the day to take it to a mechanic...

cheers
-LCL

no opinions ehh?

-LCL

I ran a 305 in my 40 for a few months with the stock 3spd. It had a Rochchester dual jet on it and it think it woulda ran upside down! Blew it up on the hwy. Doing about 80-85 with 4:10s and 31's= twistin. Shoulda rebiult it insteada buying the crate motor.(too much money, too much power and a very shitty carbonater) Oh yeah, gas milage was great about 20 mpg!(not now!)

no rust:confused: have YOU seen it yet or is this the current owner talking.

To each his own....I wanted to get a 76 or better so I could have disc brakes and fine spline axles. There won't be as many parts and accesories for 69 but I wouldn't let that stop me if it was in good shape. I got everything I wanted except the color, i was hoping to get one in freeborn red.

I gave $6,000 delivered (250 miles) and when some of my friends saw it they said WTF were you thinking, that is a junker!!! but they know NOTHING about land cruisers, and they never looked under the hood:D so fawkem!!! I never thought I would sell my FJ60 but I would if I could drive my FJ40 every day, there is NOTHING like cruising around with no top or doors, every time I get out of that thing I have a shit eating grin on my face, that's what its all about!!!!!

be decisive....
be patient....

GOOD LUCK!

The 305 is NOT a bad alternative to the 350, and you'll have less cooling problems.. (although you wouldn't know it from my junk)

It's still got torque, looks like a 350, sounds like a 350, and everything bolts up. When this one craps, I'll put a 350 in, but I don't see that happening soon.

305's are a good motor, from my experience. In stock form many late 70's and 80's 305's and 350's seem to make about the same power. The key thing is NOT to waste money on 202 heads for the 305. valve shrouding means that you get no advantege from it.

I think if the crusier is in good condition it might be worth that much. just remember the 3spd is a POS & you need to go to mini-truck disc brakes to make it a good driver. look the truck over VERY carefully for signs of rust being covered over. if it looks nice I would say go for it!! minitruck brakes can be done for less than $500 totally rebuilt & an sm420 for about the same if you do all the work yourself.

The 305 is just a smaller bore 350, the crank and everything else will interchange (dosen't mean it will work but it will bolt up ie: if its a later model it will have a smaller chambered head) I wouldn't even think twice if thats what is in it side by side the HP difference is only about 15 horses not enough to worry about.
Now I don't want to knock your find but on the surface that seams a little expensive for a, other than engine, bone stock 69 just a thought I know the prices are going up but consider the money you'll will need to put in it to make it enjoyable to drive like power steering and disc breaks.
Like I said not knocking it it might be worth every penny but just something to think about.

I run a 305 behind a stock LC four speed... I was wondering if any listers have used a heavier fly wheel or an inertia ring to get more torque out of a sbc?
Look at the size of a 2F flywheel compared to a SBC flywheel and I think Toyota must know sonething about rotating mass down low.
Anybody used a heavier flywheel?
I know I will need a new starter and I want to go 12" truck stuff...will I have to change bellhousings?

Here is a link on a inertia ring.
http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/clutch/inertiaring/

bennett

Current CA legislation starts the rolling 30 year exemption this dec 31. so in 2004 1974 vehicles will be exempt. Unless you plan on being a "rigless newbie" until 2008, and you really want to be smog exempt, dont buy a 1978.

Also, convert the right truck to discs. Dont hold out just for that. Plenty of good drum brake cruisers out there just waiting for discs. Got a disc brake front end from a 1977 FJ55 for sale...
-Brett

thanx for your input all... :D:D:D... the problem is now, that my
parents' "weekends" are mondays and tuesdays... so gettin outa
the areas gonna be even tougher...

-LCL

Anybody used a heavier flywheel?

Yes, I use a 168 tooth flywheel along with the 12 inch clutch.

I know I will need a new starter and I want to go 12" truck stuff...will I have to change bellhousings?

I had to buy a new starter (cost $25 compared to $47 for the one I had been using).
I have never seen a situation where the bellhousing had to be changed.