Stamped in my engine block is 551. What motor is it assuming it is untouched? Or do I need the rest of the numbers? I think I saw 19n just above it. Thanks.

 

14088551 305 86-87 2 one-piece rear main seal

It's a casting #. Has to do with the molds that were used to make it at the factory.

Those don't change when a block is "touched". It's applied while the metal is a molten liquid. So no, can't be used to tell if it's "untouched", except that if it's gone, that probably means that the product has been turned back into molten liquid.

Not a stamping, I'm guessing. Not "stamped". "Casting" and "stamping" are 2 VERY different things.

Sounds like yerbasic 305 to me.

Why do you want to know?

Let me rephrase: what would you do differently, based on whatever knowledge you think you could glean from that? Would you, maybe, decide differently which dumpster you would throw it (its only possible reasonable fate if it's wore out or something, being a 305) in?

 

Just making sure its a 305. Gunna put a 350 in my 86 iroc z. Now if I'm right the computer can stay the same right?

 

Is it carbed or TPI?

If it's carbed, yes.

If it's TPI, no. You'll need 350 injectors, 350 prom, 350 knock sensor. 350 had different fuel tables and such programmed into the chip (prom). You can keep same wiring, and same ECM, but you'll need a 350 TPI chip (or prom) to install inside the ECM.

 

I know I could look around the forum to find this answer, but I'm on my cell. Where can I get a 350 chip. Other than the junkyard

 

Why?

That's the easiest, cheeeeeepest, most plentiful source there is. Just get one out of a truck or Caprice. Get it at the same time you're grabbing those other things you need that Mr. n00b mentioned up there. Except injectors; best thing to do there, is probably to grab a set of Frod 24-lb blue-tops off eBay. You can usually snag a set for around $40-50.