I'm not sure where exactly this thread should go, but if it needs to be moved thena mod can do that. I am looking to purchase a third gen Camaro/Firebird within the next week or so and was just wanting to know what to look out for. I bought one a while ago that seemed to be a good car, I was told it had a 350 init, but my frind got casting numbers off of the engine ( where do I find those?) and found out it was actually a 305 with 400 heads. So that this doesn't happen again, I was hopong that all the 3rd Gen gurus on the board could give me a little advice on what to look for in the car and problems to be aware of in them...THANX!

 

look on the lip on the back of the the block on the driverside right where the trans bolts up. This is where you tell if it's a 350 or 305. 350 will have 5.7L stamped 305 will have 5.0L stamped

 

You can pull off a valve cover (simple 4 bolt job, pretty normal when buying an older car), and see what's there. If it's got SUPER THICK molasses style oil, it hasn't been maintained well. you'll also see the casting #'s there. The last 3 digits will tell you what heads are on it.

Early 305 carbed- 416
Later 305 TPI motor - 081
Later 305 TBI motor - 187
350 TPI motor -083

So those are the stock #'s, if that's what it's got, then it's got the stock heads. If it's something else, oddball, then i'd be wary.

Other things to check are :

if you can dump some water from a hose on it - see if it leaks at the t-tops or window seals
see how easily the drivers door closes - the hinge replacement is kinda tricky to do
look for stress cracks behind the drivers window and up a bit. That's a bad thing.
Ask about any modifications or recent parts. Be wary of any big work done. If he's done big work, and he's not keeping the car, 95% of the time it's 'cuz he screwed it up.
ask about any "issues".
smell the tranny fluid off the dipstick if it's an auto. Nice red fluid is good. Brown, or burned smelling fluid is bad.
etc etc.