Was the L98 the standard 350 V8 that was put in the 3rd gens?

 

I don't think so because wouldn't the carb'd 350 be the standard. I've seen alot more L98's than i have just a stock carburated 350's in third gens.

 

No the standard was a TPI motor. The reason I ask is that I am going to be buying an 85 IROC from a person and they said that the odometer says 109,000 something miles, but the motor was replaced with a 1990 LT1. Well there was no LT1 motor in 1990 so I am trying to decide wether or not the L98 that is in the car now is the origional motor. I have a picture of the motor.

 

Buying a 85 IROC and the sellers trying to give you BS about the motor. The picture looks like the 305 TPI that was the option in a 85 IROC. Check the vin and the eigth letter will be a "F". My opinion is run away from this seller as fast as you can and DON'T look back.

 

From the looks of things, that engine is crap. It has rust all over the place and the radiator and coolant reservoir show signs of leakage. The AC reciever/dryer looks bent all to hell so I doubt the AC works. It is pretty much guaranteed to be a 305. Definately not an LT1.

 

1987 was the first year the 350 was offered to the public. They built about 50 or so in 1986. These were for testing purposes. There was only one 350 offered in 3rd gens and it was the L98. This didn't happen as stated till 1987. This seller is probably full of **** and that motor looks to be pretty iffy, there's a lot of rust under that hood.

 

it's also perimeter bolt valve covers. All l98's were center bold.. so I'm gonna have to raise the big BS flag.

 

Didnt' know that

 

plus it's the old-style MAF sensor, so it still has the 85 harness and computer in it, which will not run an L98. (I know, it technically COULD but there would be a LOT of work and hacking involved.. just for the sake of the current topic, let's just say it can't)

 

There was never a carbed 350 in a thirdgen, just carbed 305s. The RPO LG4 was the base 305 4bbl and the L69 was the "HO" version.

 

Ok thanks for the information. Now that I won't be buying this car, does anyone know of a good place to look for an IROC in Central IL?

 

Well now I'm in a fix I have two places (both of witch I would consider reliable) saying two different things. This is saying it's not and http://musclecarclub.com/boards/showthread.php?t=772 is saying it is.

 

The guy in the other thread doesn't explain why he thinks its an L98, and you cant tell the L98 from a 305 just by looking at them. If it was a 90 L98 it WOULD have centerbolt valvecovers, that engine does not.

 

get the casting number off the block, it is behind the drivers side head, it might be possible to see the stamping as well, it is on a flat pad on the passenger front, between the water pump and head, but may be covered by the alt. bracket

 

I would advise you to do your own research if you are unsure who to trust. All the information you need can be found using google searches alone.