[Walys60]

Oh, also, I used the original pistons. They have a little scoring on the skirts but generally in good shape. The concern was the little bit of scoring on the cylinder walls and there was some pitting from rust, due to sitting disassembled for 4 years. I asked for the machinist opinion and he said that it would run fine, but probably 'use' some oil. I wasn't going to pay $2500 for pistons...sorry, just not going to do it when parts are getting more and more scarce, to the point that the next part failure might be the end anyway.

For me the decision was either rebuild it 'as is' or swap it for a 350. It was a very disheartening thought to consider a 350, as I have spent YEARS tracking down 'original' parts for the chassis. Had I thought I might need to go with an engine swap I would have just thrown a square body front end on it and had power steering and easy to replace parts!

Anyway, I went with keeping the original 305a and live with the results. He called me a few weeks later and told me he had researched and it turns out he could take off .002 and still use original pistons! That got ALL the scoring and corrosion. I went and looked at them after and they're like new, except for a tiny ridge at the top.

Very excited to get this thing and and start it up this Fall. By winter I'm going to be putting body panels back on! (remind me I said that this time next year if it's still not started, lol).