How can u tell the difference between a 305 vs a 350? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 01-02-2004, 05:22 PM

Can anyone give me a way to tell by looking at an engine if it is a 305 vs a 350? I know I can run the numbers, but when an engine is in a car you can't always get to them. I'm looking at a mid 80's Camaro for the drive train, but I believe they used 305's in them during those years.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 01-02-2004, 06:08 PM

They look identical. Running the numbers is the only sure fire way of telling.

jmanz69 · 01-02-2004, 06:14 PM

You should be able to see the engine size on the radiator support, it should be on a sticker there. If it's a Camaro with a 5-speed, it's a 305 most likely. with an auto, it's hard to tell.

Perchjerker · 01-02-2004, 06:16 PM

Camaro's with 5 speeds had 6 cyl. in them- had one. Autos had 305 v-8 and Z-28 Camaros only had the 350.

neonlarry · 01-02-2004, 06:28 PM

You could get v8 5 speed camaros, but they are all 305s. If its a carb engine, the RPO code for the 305 is either lg4, or l69. The l69 is the 305 ho with the dual snorkle air cleaner, the lg4 is just kind of plain looking, and has a normal air cleaner.

woodrow59 · 01-02-2004, 06:32 PM

My truck has a '85 305,,,,,,,look on the block below the #1 spark plug (passenger side, front plug). Mine has 305 cast into the block. Don't know if they did that to all of them but it's worth a look.

IMO,,,,,,I'd look for a different engine. Mine is a dog,,,,,it will barely pull this 3/4 ton longhorn. I've heard other people have promblems with these engines too.

*1972C10* · 01-02-2004, 07:04 PM

Yeah i know lots of people with factory 5 speed 305s ive got a motor that came out of an 84 t/a thats the ho .. and im workin on an 84 z that has the 305 with a 5 speed. pretty common.

mooneyes · 01-02-2004, 07:13 PM

.i've got an 84 305 and it has 5.0 stamped on the back right above the bellhousing bolts behind the distibutor..pretty easy to see

jmanz69 · 01-02-2004, 07:14 PM

My buddy had a 84 camaro with a 305 and 5-speed. Was a decent car, not fast. Fun as hell to drive though. We beat the crap out of that car, and then he sold it to some high school kid who thought it was the coolest ever.

mooneyes · 01-02-2004, 07:15 PM

oops almost forgot most cars and trucks that had 305's usually had a smaller neck on the top radiator hose..the part on the radiator..if you ever go to buy a radiator or top hose and they ask if its 305 or 350 it does make a difference

junkyarddog1956 · 01-02-2004, 07:31 PM

I the car still has the factory engine in it , you can tell by the VIN# , which is the eighth digit from the left . It can either be a # or a letter depending which engine it is ....... jyd

Chevelle454 · 01-02-2004, 07:42 PM

The 305 is a good engine. It gets good milage, doesn't burn much oil, and lasts forever. But for performance, it is no good.

**ScottH** · 01-02-2004, 11:42 PM

Thanks to all for all the great info. I've had several 305's and really haven't had much luck. Considering the availability of 350's I personally don't want to get another 305.

BTW the Camaro I believe has a 700R4 if that helps.

Thanks again.

*Randy70C-10* · 01-02-2004, 11:45 PM

A 305 is fairly easy to identify. They are usually attached to the end of an anchor chain.

(sorry)

*Randy70C-10* · 01-02-2004, 11:47 PM

BTW, Virginia beach isn't too far.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=83622

jorgensensc · 01-02-2004, 11:50 PM

If you can read the oil filter number, that will identify (if you cross reference it) as a 305. The screw in on it is different than a 350, thus a different oil filter. Also check below the #! spark plug, one of my engines said 5.7 and another had 305 cast in on it there.

Frankd · 01-03-2004, 09:09 AM

says 305 on the casting on rear of block

*1972C10* · 01-03-2004, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jorgensensc
If you can read the oil filter number, that will identify (if you cross reference it) as a 305. The screw in on it is different than a 350, thus a different oil filter. Also check below the #! spark plug, one of my engines said 5.7 and another had 305 cast in on it there.

Thats awfully funny because Depending on application be it car or truck they use the same identical filter Pf35 for trucks Or the new number pf1218 and the half qaurt for cars same thread same oil filter adaptor housing. only difference is the bore of the engine and the heads other than that gonna use same componets as a 350

Rod · 01-03-2004, 06:02 PM

305 has a larger harmonic balancer.

01-02-2004, 06:16 PM	#4
Perchjerker Beer Power!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nacogdoches, TX Posts: 280	Camaro's with 5 speeds had 6 cyl. in them- had one. Autos had 305 v-8 and Z-28 Camaros only had the 350. __________________ Rather be fishin'

01-02-2004, 06:28 PM	#5
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	You could get v8 5 speed camaros, but they are all 305s. If its a carb engine, the RPO code for the 305 is either lg4, or l69. The l69 is the 305 ho with the dual snorkle air cleaner, the lg4 is just kind of plain looking, and has a normal air cleaner. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

01-02-2004, 06:32 PM	#6
woodrow59 OzarkHillbilly in Atlanta Join Date: May 2002 Location: Douglasville, Ga. Salem, Mo. Posts: 386	My truck has a '85 305,,,,,,,look on the block below the #1 spark plug (passenger side, front plug). Mine has 305 cast into the block. Don't know if they did that to all of them but it's worth a look. IMO,,,,,,I'd look for a different engine. Mine is a dog,,,,,it will barely pull this 3/4 ton longhorn. I've heard other people have promblems with these engines too. __________________ 72 custom/10 LWB 68 Longhorn C20 Custom Camper (sold)

01-02-2004, 07:13 PM	#8
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	.i've got an 84 305 and it has 5.0 stamped on the back right above the bellhousing bolts behind the distibutor..pretty easy to see __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

01-02-2004, 07:15 PM	#10
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	oops almost forgot most cars and trucks that had 305's usually had a smaller neck on the top radiator hose..the part on the radiator..if you ever go to buy a radiator or top hose and they ask if its 305 or 350 it does make a difference __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

01-02-2004, 05:22 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,183	How can u tell the difference between a 305 vs a 350? Can anyone give me a way to tell by looking at an engine if it is a 305 vs a 350? I know I can run the numbers, but when an engine is in a car you can't always get to them. I'm looking at a mid 80's Camaro for the drive train, but I believe they used 305's in them during those years. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

01-02-2004, 06:08 PM	#2
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	They look identical. Running the numbers is the only sure fire way of telling.

01-02-2004, 06:14 PM	#3
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	You should be able to see the engine size on the radiator support, it should be on a sticker there. If it's a Camaro with a 5-speed, it's a 305 most likely. with an auto, it's hard to tell.

01-02-2004, 07:04 PM	#7
1972C10 Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,686	Yeah i know lots of people with factory 5 speed 305s ive got a motor that came out of an 84 t/a thats the ho .. and im workin on an 84 z that has the 305 with a 5 speed. pretty common.

01-02-2004, 07:14 PM	#9
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	My buddy had a 84 camaro with a 305 and 5-speed. Was a decent car, not fast. Fun as hell to drive though. We beat the crap out of that car, and then he sold it to some high school kid who thought it was the coolest ever.

01-02-2004, 07:31 PM	#11
junkyarddog1956 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Thorntown , Indiana Posts: 231	I the car still has the factory engine in it , you can tell by the VIN# , which is the eighth digit from the left . It can either be a # or a letter depending which engine it is ....... jyd __________________ 69 Chev C-10 ... painted and ready to reassemble ( for sale ) 82 Custom Deluxe ( have parts to restore )

01-02-2004, 07:42 PM	#12
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	The 305 is a good engine. It gets good milage, doesn't burn much oil, and lasts forever. But for performance, it is no good. __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-02-2004, 11:42 PM	#13
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,183	Thanks to all for all the great info. I've had several 305's and really haven't had much luck. Considering the availability of 350's I personally don't want to get another 305. BTW the Camaro I believe has a 700R4 if that helps. Thanks again.

01-02-2004, 11:45 PM	#14
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	A 305 is fairly easy to identify. They are usually attached to the end of an anchor chain. (sorry)

01-02-2004, 11:47 PM	#15
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	BTW, Virginia beach isn't too far. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=83622



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01-02-2004, 11:50 PM	#16
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,006	If you can read the oil filter number, that will identify (if you cross reference it) as a 305. The screw in on it is different than a 350, thus a different oil filter. Also check below the #! spark plug, one of my engines said 5.7 and another had 305 cast in on it there. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

01-03-2004, 09:09 AM	#17
Frankd Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mauk, Ga Posts: 76	says 305 on the casting on rear of block __________________ 72 c-10 81 c-30 67 c-10 just sittin in the woods) 70 C-10 " " " " to compleete frames 67, 70 - in woods 2002 toyota tundra. 12 yr old son has , 72 Charger, 78 Ramcharger and 85 ford wrecker

01-03-2004, 06:02 PM	#19
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	305 has a larger harmonic balancer. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

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