Is there a quick visual way to tell if a 90-92 TPI engine is a 350 or 305 when it has been swapped into a different vehicle? I want to make sure I'm getting what I am told. Thanks.

 

cast into the bellhousing area of the engine, behind the drivers side head , a 5.0L (305) or 5.7L (350) is cast into the block

 

Yep. You'll probably need a flashlight and a small mirror to see it though.

 

There should be a casting number printed on a small ledge behind the alternator bracket, you can run that number and figure out which block you have. Or look for the 5.0/5.7 on the back of the block.

 

1 good way also is to drive it. theres a world of difference between a 305 TPI and 350. get it up to a steady 25 mph or so,and nail it...a 350 will push u back in the seat real quick,a 305 thats stock,well,wont.

 

please a 350 and a 305 do not have that much difference its only a few horses

 

Agreed. But we don't know how well each motor is running. A good running 305 and a badly running 350...well you get the picture. I'd look for the casting numbers like everyone else said. Run them at www.mortec.com

-Corey

 

I beg to differ - my stock 305 TPI in my 92Z did a mighty fine job of putting me back in my seat at a punch, especially at 25mph - most people thought it was a 350 and it also laid many 350 TPI's to rest- Funny how people are quick to talk trash on the little old 305 Like the other guys said, I would check on the back of the block for the 5.0 / 5.7 stamp -

 

there may be a different number if you have the older 350 block which will have the number 3970010 stamped on the block behind the drivers side cyl. head. There is a really small chance it could be a 327 or 302 with that number too, but the chances are very slim.
Its the same number I found on my block. It came from a 77 vette.
I think they used that number from 69-80.

 

I had a 305, it was carbed , and very minor performance done to it.. i bought it like this , it was decently fast But nothing special... i'd still rather have a 350 at the time :P I don't think you can know the difference if you havent had experience driving both engines... but otherwise i'm sure you'll notice. I did..

 

The alternator will be on the drivers side if its a L98..passenger side if its a LB9.

 

Thank you to everyone who replied. I will take another look at the engine sometime this week to make sure I'm getting what I want.

 

I have an LB9 and the alternator is on the driver's side - so do not go by that......

 

I have a L98 & the alternators on the Pax side. SO dont go by that.

 

yea, just check the block numbers. You'll probably have to wipe them off real good with a towel and get in there with a flashlight, and a little mirror.

I actualy read mine from UNDER the car with a flashlight and mirror, found out I have a Goodwrench 350 truck crate engine

www.mortec.com to find out what the numbers mean