ok my friend just got a 89 iroc which came with a 5.0 from the factory. the guy who sold it to him says it has a 350 tpi in it when he got it. so this is the problem. i figure just look up the engine code, but with all the clutter in the engine bay we can't see it. mines easy to see because i have no emissions or electronics and am carbed. this is a stock motor. the ac compressor is on the passanger side and its a single serpentine belt is there any way to tell what year or what it came from (vette, camaro, firebird) without taking appart the front accesories?

thanks justin

 

Have you tried the psychic hotlines yet..
I would say, just bit the bullet and start moving things if you really need to know. -- 2 cents..

 

Didn't you know that all IROC's had 350 TPI motors. According to 99 44/100 % of the sellers of these cars this a fact. Why are you questioning the seller about it. Youi should of done your checking before the sale not after, so tell your friend.

 

Right behind the drivers side head where the bell housing meets the block
it will be stamped 5.0 or 5.7, you may have to do a little digging to see it, but it is there.

 

not all Irocs have 350s in them, manual transmission come with 305

 

You didn't read the POST very well. It was a take off on Sellers always claiming it a 350.

 

also the valve covers are centerbolt so that just means it was made after 86 right? we are gonna try and find the 5.0 or 5.7 on the back of the engine block i think it will be easier than getting the code without removing anything

 

87-up heads can bolt on any small block chevy engine block. The only conclusive way to find out what you're working with is to check the casting number on the back of the block on the drivers side above the tranny bellhousing. The stamping on the block in front of the passengers side head will tell you if the engine is original, or what it came from. It's also a good idea to pull a valve cover and check the head casting numbers. Until you check all the codes you really won't know what it is.

Some Chevy V8's have the displacement cast into the side of the block, or inside the bellhousing, but it's not always fool proof.

 

ok i've tryed too find the casting on the back of the block and the front but everythings just too crowded right now so i guess its just gonna come down to taking a few things off so we can see the casting. is it better to get the code from the font passanger side or the casting on the rear driver side?

 

After all this work, I bet you will find out it is a 305. The Seller rips of some one again with the it is a 350 story.

 

Also, check the vin number, if the 8th digit is an "E" (TBI)or an "F"(TPI) the car came from the factory with a 305 and you will still need to confirm the numbers on the block to see if it is a 350. If the 8th digit is an "8" the car has a 350 in it.



Edit, Just reread your post, you've obviously done this already
but it is still good info.

 

THe front RH hog stamping is porbably the least time taking way to check the number... Pull off the AC compressor and its bracket and look under there... you MIGHT be able to see it just by taking off the compressor but I am not sure.

THe drivers side rear is almost impossible to see just because of all the wires and the AIR tube that covers the area... its not worth removing.

JOhn

 

I need to do that to mine as well.
Its always a pain, but I never trust the seller, especially when the VIN states something different and the engine has been changed.
I just picked up a Formula and they claimed a 350 was put in it, though the VIN says 305.
Once I read the block numbers I will know for sure. Its always worth the time to do a little digging.