I recently read the article linked below: (someone on here must build one of these for a firebird!)

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/98359/

In the engine build up they notch the top of the cylinder walls to get added valve clearance, and use pistons with a low mounted ring pack. Is it possible to do the same thing to a 305 to help overcome the valve shroad problem? I'm asking 'cos I'm curious (don't even have a 305) I know buying a 350 build be the easy thing to do but with all the unwanted 305's in the world it looks interesting if it were possible.

 

Not cost effective in the real world. Only in magazine world.

It's amazing the things people can think up to do when they're spending somebody else's money.

 

Didn't 396 big blocks come from the factory with notch's in the cylinder bores? I've wondered too if notching a 305 would improve flow.

 

my 396/400/402 has the block notched

 

My 396 block was notched from the factory. But, probably for the higher performance 2.19 valves, not my 2.06.

Mechanical interference isn't the real "problem" with 305's. It just doesn't have much room to allow flow around the valves.

 

Now, if someone could tell me if my '66 396 block has straight across starter mount bolt holes so I don't have to drop the starter before ordering that high-torque mini (current one on the car is staggered, but the straight pattern starters cost a lot less than the staggered ones...).

 

Most of the less expensive gear reducted aftermarket starters I have had or seen have two straight pattern holes-----> 00 00....like that if you know what I mean

oH yea..mmmm sorry for helping in the Hi jack ...my 454 4 bolt has the notches for the valves And my 2 bolt does not have them....I have not found a difference in performance between the two blocks, but that is seat of the pants dynometer results, Actually the two bolt has gone faster in the quarter than the four bolt so, I Doubt notches in a 5.0 will do anything for you.

 

I'm so bad...