i just aquired an iroc engine from the junkyard
they said it came out of an 86 iroc and that it is a 305 TPI(LB9)
the thing is it has center bolt valve covers and a flywheel for an automatic tranny.
according to the articles ive read the center bolt valve covers came out in 87 and in that year the LB9 motor would have come with a manual tranny(barring a tranny swap mind you) and the 350 motor would have had the auto tranny.
im just curious as to which this is

 

I replaced my 86 305tpi with an 88 305tpi and the 88 had center bolt but not the 86. If it's got center bolt more than likely it is a roller cam.

 

thats what i was thinking just wanted more imput thanks

 

I believe 87 was the first year of centerbolt valve covers. Does it have a distributor? If so is it the small external coil dist. or the large internal coil type?
87 was the first year to use the external coil dist.

 

large internal coil
the shaft is cracked though heh

 

the LB9 could come with an automatic or a manual, so that doesnt tell you anything.

 

my 87 305 tpi Z came with a auto....center bolt valves nice torque motor and good gas milage

 

my EX-gf has an 86 with a 305 tpi and its an auto, not sure on the valve covers though

 

turns out that this engine is a 350 not a 305. the junkyard i baught it from listed it as a 305 out of an 86 iroc. however i checked the casting numbers today and it came up as a 350 from 86 and up. but since it came with a TPI it would have to be an 87 350 since in 86 the 350 TPI motor was not available. thanks for the responses.
im extremely thrilled since i only payed 150 for the motor.