Well, the VIN number on the Camaro I am about to buy here in 3 weeks says "305", and the guy selling says the new engine was a "GM installed direct replacement"... and says it's a 350. "Direct replacement" would mean the same engine size riight?

He says that he has the reciept as well. Aside from the reciept saying it is a 350 (he hasn't shown it to me yet, but lets assume I never see it just for kicks), are there any visible differences between a 350 and a 305?

I have pictures of the engine if anyone knows a way to tell the difference. It's not like I don't trust the guy, but I just got a shock when I looked up the VIN number and it says 305.

Here are the links to the pictures. I have very high res pictures that I can upload if needed.

http://image1in.villagephotos.com/index.asp?id_=1185076

http://image1in.villagephotos.com/index.asp?id_=1185094

THANKS VERY MUCH!! I really appreciate this!!

 

I'm not a mechanic, but I've heard this before. About 4 years ago when we bought my daughter a 1987 Z28 with a TPI motor, the guy we bought it from seemed to honestly believe it was a 350.

I didn't think so, & verified it by the VIN after we bought it later.

 

yea... hm... I HOPE it's a 350... if the reciept says it's a 350, then more than likely it is right? I haven't seen it yet, and I was just hopeing someone here knows a way to tell by looking. I'm not a mechanic either

Anyone?

 

For one....your pics are not there (they probably would not help anyways since the two engines are almost identical). Two: If it has a five speed and it is IN FACT A 350, then you will probably chew up the T-5 and spit it out on the road. I have a link with some #'s that might help you...I will write back in a jiff!!!!


Later

 

Try this out........http://www.nhra.com/tech_specs/engine/


Later

 

Well, it's a 4 speed auto, and it has t-tops... If a mechanic were to look at it, would he beable to tell easily without having to take much stuff off? (as in not having to tear the engine down).


1fastformula: I'm not much of a mechanic, so I don't know what most of those numbers mean... Thanks for trying to help me tho!

The picture doesn't work? hm...

 

Judging by what I see now (Right clicked...saved) I would have to say you have a 305. The TBI is classic 305...especially the manifold. If it is a 350 under there, it is a truck 350 and the TBI models of those are right with the 305.... You need to apply some pressure on this guy and find out the truth. Might have a law suit on your hands (false advertising and fraud).

Later

 

Look on your block for the casting numbers.......Might take some crawling to do it, but it will be worth it for your piece of mind. Unfortunately...Most mechanics know Jack Sh&t about the differences. I would also say to check your head numbers, but ALOT of third genners used to swap 305 heads onto 350s (better compression). Like I said....I would guess 305.

Later

 

Do me a favor.....The picture of you holding up your air cleaner, there is a Manifold number right there!!! Go outside....and get that number to me!!!! That should tell me what you have!!!

Later

 

seriously? I will go over to their house tomorrow and check!! Where will the number be? On the manifold? ... right?

Thank you SOO much!! I will reply to this thread tomorrow if I get a chance to go over to the guys house. I really appreciate this!

 

Getting the manifold # is not going to tell you. You switch the intake to the new engine. On the side of the block is the casting # that will tell you the size. I worked in GM dealerships for 20 years in service and don't remember the engines coming with the intake. You will never be able to tell from looking at the top of the intake unless they put a truck intake on it. The casting # on the side of the block is the only way to know for sure. If it has a TPI you can't tell either because the intake is the same for 305 and 350. The injectors are different sizes tho. The 305 has 19lb injectors and the 350 has 22lb injectors. One other thing only the police package came with the TPI so if it has it and it wasn't a police car then it was not a direct replacement. That would mean the wiring harness was replaced or made to work. Also the EMC would have had to be replaced with the TPI. The TBI ECM would work with the 305 or 350 TBI but not TPI. To get the best performance the chip would have had to be replaced. It would run with the 305 chip just not as good. Hope this helps or if you have other questions email me at fbodyiroc@netscape.net as I do not come to the board everyday.

 

in 86 or 87 I can't remember which, they started putting the displacement on the block on the drivers side right where it bolts to the tranny. It takes some digging and a flashlight but anyway, it would tell you the displacement of the motor if in fact it is a block made after those years.

Mine said 5.7LG meaning it was a 5.7L block. I have no idea what the G stands for. If you see 5.0LG then you have a 305 on your hands.

 

What year is it?
The easiest way to tell is to pull off a valve cover and get the casting # off the head.
It's easy to do unless its a TPI engine.
Some of those heads (like what I have) can only go on a 305 unless you put dished pistons or it's set up for some realy high compression.
My example: head # 14014416, there 58cc with litttle valves and in a 305 they give you a 9.5:1 C/R and if those heads were on a 350 they would give you 11.?:1 and with regular gas that wouldn't work to well.
To pull a valve cove all you need is a 3/8 rachet, 3''+ extender and a new gasket.
You can narrow it down a lot with a head #.
There is a # on the back of the engine on the left side under the head over the bellhousing, you can get it but it isn't easy. That will tell you what your block is.

 

The car was a 91 RS with a TBI engine, turnes out it WAS a 305.... so he almost screwed me over. (I was about to buy... that sucks). I'm glad I caught it. just being a 305 doesn't bother me (well, not alot anyway), but the fact that he didn't just tell me is what gets me. I can't believe another word he says now...

Well, I found another one with a 350 in it, and I'm going to get a guy I know (who works on older chevys) to check it out for me sence I am not the worlds best mechanic :P

It's an 86 Iroc with a 350 crate engine in it. I'm going to keep both eyes open to everything and check (or have it checked) everything out very good from how on. The guy said that he even would even prefer I have someone look at it to satisfy my questions about the car and to back his words up. Sounds truthful enough, but I'm still going to take care in my descision.

How common does a mishap or something like this happen!? I have never purchased or sold a used car before... so I'm new to it I guess. I almost learned the REALLY hard way


Thanks again for all yalls help! When I finaly do get a camaro (I really want one)

 

RedIROCZ-28,

Just wanted to let you know that the G in the casting on the back of your block stands for "gasoline". So your casting that says 5.7L G means you have a 5.7 liter (350 cu. in.) gasoline burning motor.