Hey all, first post here and looking for some help.

I am trying to identify the engine that I have in a project car that I recently purchased.

The original motor was a 305 TPI motor according to the VIN and the previous owner told me that a carbed 350 was swapped into it. I have been looking online to try to identify the motor and cannot for the life of me find the engine code anywhere on it. For the 350s most sites tell me it is on the passenger side towards the front of the block but I cant find it at all.

I am hoping someone can help me identify the motor by either visually looking at it or by pointing out in my picture whereabouts the code would be stamped.

Thanks in advance, here is the pic of the motor from the front. It is a 2 barrel carb that much I know

 

It looks like a TBI to me.
Send me the vin number in pm and I can tell you what came with it.
Almost certain thats a TBI motor as it has the injectors mounted in the pod it look like. Probably a 305 TBI but there is a small chance it's a 350 TBI from a Caprice or other L05 vechile swapped in. Does it run well?

 

That's not a carb, that's TBI. From looking at the picture, that engine looks correct and is probably original. 8th digit of the vin for a 305 TBI is a E. F is a 305 TPI, 8 is a 350 TPI.
If you want to know what it really is, look behind the head on the drivers side for the casting number. Run the number through www.Mortec.com to find out what it is. Also behind the A/C compressor in front of the passengers side head there will be a stamp in the block with a partial VIN number. If the partial VIN matches the VIN on the dash, it's original.

 

The Vin Engine code part is an E code. I'll go run outside see if I cant find the stamp on it, been looking for it for a day now.

If it is original then that would make it a 305 TBI which is engine code L03 correct?\

Yes it runs very well so even if it isnt a 350 I wont be too depressed about it because I got the car for a song and it is in great shape for an 88.

The motor was from JC Whitney as I understand it. I am thinking its probably just a remanufactured motor to replace the old one, same for same.

 

Just confirmed it as an LO3 remanufactured motor from JC Whitney. Thanks for the help guys, appreciate the fast response.

 

The easiest way to distinguish between a 305 and a 350 block is with the casting number. Never take anyone's word or look at VIN numbers since it could be anything. There also may be a 5.0L or 5.7L cast into the block.