I purchased a rebuilt 305 TPI for my 89 IROC at gearhead engines and returned the used core for $195. I was told that they received a 305 TBI so they cannot return my $195 since it was the wrong core. I know there is no way I was running with a TBI. I even had the fuel pump replaced on the car about 4 years ago and remember being told that the pressure on the fuel pump for TPI and TBI were different when I purchased the part. I told this to the guy that sold me the engine over the phone today and he said they use the same fuel pump and that I was probably using a TBI to begin with. He says they identified the TBI from the numbers on the block. Any ideas what I should do to get my $195? I feel like they are playing games here. Another thing about the service I received today made me suspicious: when I first called to explain my situation, the lady that answered said "Haven't we gone over this 100 times?!" It was my first time calling them about this issue!

 

The blocks are identical. There's nothing different in the moving parts between a TBI and TPI shortblock that a rebuilder could possibly care about.

 

Difference is the heads.

It's not at all impossible that your heads were TBI ones.

They can also tell from the "codes" on the block, what the block was originally part of. While there's no "difference" between a TBI and TPI 305 block, if the "codes" say TBI, .... then yeah.

Fuel pump really has nothing to do with it.

Find out what they are basing their claim on, then go from there.

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

what the OP has not provided for information is was it a short block or long block?

If long block, then the heads come into play. If short block, it should not matter