C1500 engine 305 or 350??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

90OBS · 04-28-2019, 09:52 PM

So I put new pins and bushings in my 1990 C1500 short bed. When my buddy and I started talking about the motor.

When I bought the truck the owner said it was a 305. The sticker on the fan shroud says 305. The Vin (8th digit) calls out K (5.7 350). RPO calls out (L05 5.7 350)

Engine casting code (kind of hard to read) located on back side of motor ,drivers side. *see picture * 1st picture

Engine serial number ,front of motor ,behind A/C compressor,passengers side *see picture*

This is driving me crazy trying to figure this out.
What do you guys think?

Warrens69GMC · 04-28-2019, 11:33 PM

14102058=305

pnh- 305, mt

90OBS · 04-29-2019, 08:28 AM

That's what I was afraid of... Looks like it's time to look for a 350.

Warrens69GMC · 04-29-2019, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90OBS

That's what I was afraid of... Looks like it's time to look for a 350.

If it runs and drives good, why would you switch it?

1976gmc20 · 04-29-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90OBS

That's what I was afraid of... Looks like it's time to look for a 350.

Just be glad it's not a V-6

I used to have a 1977 C-10 Suburban with a small block and 2 barrel carb. I always thought it was a 350 but then I ran across something to the effect of only 305 had 2 barrel and all 350 were q-jet? Anyway I sure as heck never noticed any lack of power. We towed a very heavily loaded U-Haul trailer from CO to MT and it did just fine.

Of course now it's long since traded away so I can't confirm which engine it had. Sometimes I kick myself for letting it go since even though it was rusted and needed rear end work, it had a good engine and SM465. My C-20 could use that engine right now.

sawman · 04-29-2019, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Just be glad it's not a V-6

I used to have a 1977 C-10 Suburban with a small block and 2 barrel carb. I always thought it was a 350 but then I ran across something to the effect of only 305 had 2 barrel and all 350 were q-jet? Anyway I sure as heck never noticed any lack of power. We towed a very heavily loaded U-Haul trailer from CO to MT and it did just fine.

Of course now it's long since traded away so I can't confirm which engine it had. Sometimes I kick myself for letting it go since even though it was rusted and needed rear end work, it had a good engine and SM465. My C-20 could use that engine right now.

The 90 c1500 i have has a v6 seems to have enough power for such a light small pickup.

90OBS · 04-29-2019, 12:23 PM

I agree with “If it runs and drives good, why mess with it” . I don’t have access to a lift and the transmission front seal is leaking and will need replaced. I will probably have to pull the motor to do this. Since I am going to have the motor out, I might as well put the 350 in and get more ponies and the proper engine per vin code(even though it won’t be numbers matching. This is going to be an early fall, winter project.

1976gmc20 · 04-29-2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawman

The 90 c1500 i have has a v6 seems to have enough power for such a light small pickup.

Yeah, I was just giving him a hard time

Still, I never met anyone with a V-8 Chevy pickup that wished he had a V-6 - well, excluding the old GMC V-6

Tom · 04-30-2019, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sawman

The 90 c1500 i have has a v6 seems to have enough power for such a light small pickup.

Yeah its when you start using them as trucks that the problem shows. Try towing 6000lbs and see if you still like the V6 lol
As for engine swaps, if your going to change it don't go with a boring 350. Do something cooler. 327. 383. 400.

sawman · 04-30-2019, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

Yeah its when you start using them as trucks that the problem shows. Try towing 6000lbs and see if you still like the V6 lol
As for engine swaps, if your going to change it don't go with a boring 350. Do something cooler. 327. 383. 400.

Thats true,but as you filling your tank up i would still pass you by honking

but as to start using them as trucks my generation put weight in the bed as trucks were made for,now there used as highway queens pulling the weight

Hard to go wrong with the 327,the best chevy small block,

**hatzie** · 05-02-2019, 10:23 AM

Not many sources bother with the later model suffix codes. Too new to be interesting.
Look in the GMT400 parts books I posted.

Engine stamping code... K1218PNH

K=St Catherines, ONT
12=December
18=18th day of the month
PNH=1988 VIN H L03 5.0L

04-28-2019, 09:52 PM	#1
90OBS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Medina,Ohio Posts: 54	C1500 engine 305 or 350??? So I put new pins and bushings in my 1990 C1500 short bed. When my buddy and I started talking about the motor. When I bought the truck the owner said it was a 305. The sticker on the fan shroud says 305. The Vin (8th digit) calls out K (5.7 350). RPO calls out (L05 5.7 350) Engine casting code (kind of hard to read) located on back side of motor ,drivers side. see picture 1st picture Engine serial number ,front of motor ,behind A/C compressor,passengers side see picture This is driving me crazy trying to figure this out. What do you guys think? Attached Images Last edited by 90OBS; 04-28-2019 at 09:53 PM. Reason: Add information

04-28-2019, 11:33 PM	#2
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,613	Re: C1500 engine 305 or 350??? 14102058=305 pnh- 305, mt

04-29-2019, 08:28 AM	#3
90OBS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Medina,Ohio Posts: 54	Re: C1500 engine 305 or 350??? That's what I was afraid of... Looks like it's time to look for a 350.

04-29-2019, 12:23 PM	#7
90OBS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Medina,Ohio Posts: 54	Re: C1500 engine 305 or 350??? I agree with “If it runs and drives good, why mess with it” . I don’t have access to a lift and the transmission front seal is leaking and will need replaced. I will probably have to pull the motor to do this. Since I am going to have the motor out, I might as well put the 350 in and get more ponies and the proper engine per vin code(even though it won’t be numbers matching. This is going to be an early fall, winter project.

05-02-2019, 10:23 AM	#11
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,912	Re: C1500 engine 305 or 350??? Not many sources bother with the later model suffix codes. Too new to be interesting. Look in the GMT400 parts books I posted. Engine stamping code... K1218PNH K=St Catherines, ONT 12=December 18=18th day of the month PNH=1988 VIN H L03 5.0L __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. Last edited by hatzie; 05-02-2019 at 10:49 AM.



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