6.5 to carb 350 swap

[beejkuz]

Thanks again for all the info. The cheapest controller i could find is goiing to run about $500. guess I'll cross that road when i come to it.
I now have come across a engine out of a 89 1/2 ton pretty sure it is a 305. Only problem is that it has about 350k on it. Will the intake and heads bolt onto the older 350?

[gottaswapup]

seems you're dead set on going to gasoline, and I can't say I disagree. The 6.2s are better engines than stock-castings 6.5s are, but putting a 6.2 in place of a 6.5 is illegal. Any trans that bolts up to any Chevy gas V8 will bolt up to the 6.2, and therefore the 6.5 which was a thin-casted evolution of the 6.2. Thus the blocks and heads always crack , unlike the 6.2s. Now, as to 305 heads on a 350. It is a direct bolt on, but may not be a good idea. First, does the 350 have dished pistons in it? If not, forget the 305 heads, even if you live at high elevation. Next, which 305 heads are they? If they have centerbolt valve covers, you'll need to pop an intake valve out to see if they're swirl-port or not. Swirl port will make good torque off idle, but will run out of air by 3500 rpm. And at 350,000 miles, the heads could've already been rebuilt a time or two. If a SBC is a 100,000-mile virgin, then the heads are not suspect if they're not cracked. But are they free? If not, spend $76 for a pair of used Vortec 350 heads from your local Pick-N-Pull. These also need dished pistons for truck use. Using these with flat-tops is for guys with lightweight cars.

[beejkuz]

My computer crashed bout a month ago so i havent been able to update. since my last post i have decided to abandon the gas conversion and keep it a diesel, considering i basically figured that i had strip every thing out of 2 trucks to do so. Depending on how much damage the 6.5 crankshaft has, i may rebuild it or throw a different engine in it. i can get a 6.2 out of an 84 van that runs great for very cheap. would putting the heads and intake work on the 6.2, or would i be better off keeping it a 6.5? i wouldnt be against keeping the 6.2 non turbo if the throttle and trans would work.