I'm looking at an '87 Camaro Iroc-Z TPI engine for sale, but the owner does not know whether it is a 305 or a 350. I want to go look at it, and I want to know how I can distinguish whether it is a 305 or a 350. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Derek Schipper

The only way I know how to tell is by looking at the engine block casting number. Try this link. It gives a good description where the number is and a listing of some numbers.

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/casting.html

you can also tell by the VIN #

you can often tell by the head casting numbers as well, just take off a valve cover and you should find it near the springs. Of course, look for the block casting number first, but if the engine is in the car this can be difficult. VIN identification is the easiest way, but only if the engine is still in the original car.

You mentioned IROC-Z, if this is the original motor for this car it is most definitely a 350.

Thanks for the help.

According to this site and some others that I've seen, both the 305 and the 350 were available on the IROC model in 1987:

http://www.f-body.org/tech/tech.htm#ThirdGen

The motor that I'm lookin at for sale is in pieces... so it should be pretty easy to see the head and block casting numbers.

Thanks again,
Derek