I went to put a double roller timing chain into my 85 Irocz which I believe it to be the original motor 305 carb...and the top timing gear wont fit. Also, there are 2 bolts and a cam plate which leads me to believe this must be a roller cam?? Anyone know whats going on here? Or what chain will work, or what motor this is? I thought this was supposed to be flat tappet cam motor

 

You need a roller cam set. Someone's changed your engine.

 

The guy I got the car from 10 years ago told me it was the original motor but said it was a 350. I already knew these cars came with 305's and the motor looked original so I assumed he was mistaken about engine size. Since it is not the original engine, how can I tell what engine this is? I found these numbers on the front of the block, passenger side: V03045FA And I found these numbers on the block behind the timing chain 638 627 G7

 

The casting # on rear of block where the trans bolts on
Early block as marked in pic
If a late model engine will have 5.7L or 5.0L cast as shown in pic with the engine casting # in same place on the opposite side

 

You can put a flat tappet cam in a roller block if you use all flat tappet parts
Factory roller cam has a recess on the front of the cam as shown for the retainer plate and the bolt spacing for the timing gear is different to a flat tappet cam

 

Thanks for the info but I just cant get in there because the wiring harness is strapped in there all the way across the back of the block tried moving it with screwdriver no go. The timing gear I went to put in is for a flat tap cam and won't fit holes don't line up. So I guess now Im buying a timing chain set for a roller cam but i dont know what to order it for??

 

The cam looks like this one with a plate and two bolts holding it in.

 

Needed one for 87+ SBC with factory roller cam.
If it is not listed as for a FACTORY roller cam don't buy it

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...Ntt=timing+set

Exp
http://www.jegs.com/i/Cloyes/220/9-1145/10002/-1

 

Thanks for all the info I finally got the wiring harness out of the way by the bell housing and its a 5.7 350.

 

You can replace with a "true-roller" timing chain set.
No need for "double-roller" set.

 

use the numbers to identify the engine, could not find "5FA" so i assume you have the "SFA" stamp, if that is correct than this is what you may have,
v= flint
03=march
04=4th
SFA=87,88 impala 170hp 4brl police engine LM-1 350\ or 93 pontiac firebird 275 hp lt-1 SFI\ or 93 350 camaro Lt-1 SFI 275 hp this info is from chevymania.com.

another source= 93 camaro 275 hp SFI 350
cant say if this helps any, but looks like either way you have a roller cam, i wouldnt change cams, roller is better anyway, get the chain to fit with the cam you have. if you have an aftermarket intake , most likely someone changed it to carb or you have one of the 4 brl engines listed above ( although that is the only site I could find 4 brl engine, suffix listed SFA)
good luck

 

Thanks for all the info its been very helpful