Is it a 305 or 350?????

Ok, I just drove the Formula and met up with Dennis. Got a window from him, so I can replace that (Thanks man), but in the process of looking it over, we noticed that the VIN's 8th digit was an E, which according to my 82-92 Haynes book, this was the TBI 305... NOT a 350 since the only one that is listed is a TPI version. Now it doesn't really look like the engine was swapped out, but hard to say. But if this is a TBI 350 (obviously from a different vehicle) how can I tell if its a 350 or the original 305? Dennis said there should be either a full VIN or partial VIN stamped on the block just behind the alternator somewhere. Can anyone tell me more or if it is or not? It appears to have been repainted, so the stickers on the door and on the plate the hood connects to have been removed. I am going to be really upset if I was told it was a 350 and it turn out to be a 305. HELP!

Reply to
KITT
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hey KITT...

my 86 is back in my hands now :)

J
Reply to
Jason Sobol

If your vin's 8th digit is an E, sorry, you have a vin for a TBI 305 :(.

305 and 350 engines look the same in the engine bay and could be swapped in a heartbeat. Post whatever #s you find behind the alternator pad and e-mail them to me and post them here and I'll tell you what it is.

In '88, you could have gotten a TBI 305 (vin E), a TPI 305 (vin F) or a 350 (vin 8) in the Firebird line. I believe all three were used in a Formula that year.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...

Reply to
Bigjfig

went n picked it up

sat for a cpl years, but interior has the same small tear in it as it did then

J
Reply to
Jason Sobol

Yeah, I will look at the engine and see what I can find... but I don't know what to think... the for sale sign that was on the car from the owner before the last one had on it that it was an 88 t/a w/ 350... So I don't know if that guy did the replacement then sold it.. cause when he sold it, it had

42k miles.. now it has 82k.. so I dunno. But the guy I bought it from swore it was a 350, but it doesn't really feel like it has a LOT of kick like I thin kthe 350 should. (But it is DEFINATELY an improvement from the 2.8 HO (I found out that my engine is considered a High Output @ 135hp.. lol).
Reply to
KITT

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