I have a mystery engine in an 85 Trans Am I picked up. It looks to be a junkyard engine, and has the centerbolt heads. Car also has the large distributor, but I am guessing it was swapped from the old engine. The main concern I have is wheather it is a 305 or 350. Do they have the same casting number? I have the stamping # off of the front, which is V0120TPA. Any help is appreciated.

Don't hold me true to this but (I think), on the rear of the engine, there will be a 5.0 or 5.7 cast into the block

Its a tough one to see, but that is correct. I believe mine was right where the Engine bolted to the Transmission. If you look straight down you will spot it.

I just checked, there is almost no way to see it with all the the emissions crap. There is a pipe that runs behind the block that made it impossible to see it.

John

Thanks for the replies, guys. It is coming out anyhow, so I will check it out.

John, you were right on. FWIW, it is a "5.7L" stamping. I sure feel a whole lot better now. Thanks again!

I am envious, you got me all excited again about a parts car that I took the TPI stuff off of to put on my 87 LG4. I was hoping that whoever did the swap into that car would have used a 350 with all the 305 equipment...
I was NOT so lucky I finally got the engine leaned forward enough so I could see the bakc of the block, and it said GM 5.0L...

Oh well...

John

According to http://www.chevymania.com/ TPA is a 92 truck 350 TBI, RPO L-O5, stock rating of 210 hp.