FYI for 305 sbc racers

[jamie2370]

Talked with Dart today. The 305 little M block is no longer in existence. Discontinued. They are replacing it with a 305 SHP block but it will be at least 6 months before one is produced. Oh, and the part number changed and the new number is NOT on the approved list.
Little M 305 31151411
New SHP 305 31161411

[pmrphil]

And from what I've been told the SHP blocks are now being cast in China

[Larry Hill]

Would a sleeved 400 block work, it would have thick cylinder walls.

[Tom Johnston]

I purchased a 305 Little M block in early 2020 but it was stolen out of my engine builders shop, and then Dart discontinued them. Now it appears they are making a new 305 block with a different part number.
I'm kinda new to all this, what is the procedure to get the new P/N approved? Can I initiate it or does Dart have to?
Thanks.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Tom Johnston

I purchased a 305 Little M block in early 2020 but it was stolen out of my engine builders shop, and then Dart discontinued them. Now it appears they are making a new 305 block with a different part number.
I'm kinda new to all this, what is the procedure to get the new P/N approved? Can I initiate it or does Dart have to?
Thanks.

The manufacturer has to submit the part for approval.

[pmrphil]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Would a sleeved 400 block work, it would have thick cylinder walls.

The mains are a different size - I don't know if spacer bearings would be legal?

[Henrys Toy]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Would a sleeved 400 block work, it would have thick cylinder walls.

Good morning to all,
I haven't done this myself - yet, but wouldn't a good 4" 350 block be a reasonable choice? Main bores are right size and the cylinder walls (once sleeved ) would be pretty thick as well without the cooling problems like cracking from the steam holes between the cylinder bores. Just my 2 cents from my little corner of the world!

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

[Dean Feiock]

Originally Posted by Henrys Toy

Good morning to all,
I haven't done this myself - yet, but wouldn't a good 4" 350 block be a reasonable choice? Main bores are right size and the cylinder walls (once sleeved ) would be pretty thick as well without the cooling problems like cracking from the steam holes between the cylinder bores. Just my 2 cents from my little corner of the world!

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

^^^^What Henry Said^^^^

Sleeved blocks work very well if done properly. I have a 350 block that is sleeved and a 307 block that is sleeved. Personally, I think the 307 block is better as it was an early casting block and had very thick cylinder walls to start with.

I know that people say it costs too much or it's too much work to sleeve a block. But when you factor the cost of an aftermarket block and all the required machine work to true up every surface of a new block, I don't think those claims are valid.

But I'm old and my stuff is slow, what do I know

[Rick J]

Sleeving a larger bore block down will typically yield the best result.

[tscheerer]

Originally Posted by jamie2370

Talked with Dart today. The 305 little M block is no longer in existence. Discontinued. They are replacing it with a 305 SHP block but it will be at least 6 months before one is produced. Oh, and the part number changed and the new number is NOT on the approved list.
Little M 305 31151411
New SHP 305 31161411

Is this the one you are looking for? Just noticed that it says out of stock.
https://www.competitionproducts.com/.../#.Yt3EtXbMKM8