is it a 305 or 350?

[348NUT]

My brother-in-law has a 87 full size pickup with the trans out and I was thinking of trying to buy the engine/computer/wiring harness out of it to transplant into my 56 someday. How can I tell if it's a 305 or 350 without seeing the casting number? The head deck is stamped K0219JA Does the 8th digit in the VIN tell the engine code? and what would the two codes be? All the build codes are in the glove box also but they quit telling what code is for what! :help NUT

[models916]

VIN code for 305 in 1987 was H
VIN code for 350 in 1987 was M or K

[models916]

http://www.cehighperformance.com/c_truck_block_codes.htm

[348NUT]

I'll check the VIN :) NUT

[No409]

should be cast in back of the block, right next to casting # either 5.0 or 5.7

[bobs409]

I was going to suggest Mad Mikes Camaro page which is where I go for engine suffix codes but the only listing he has for JA is a 1964 283 from a Chevelle. http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/spcode6.html

Are you sure that's the correct code? His charts do go into and probably past the late 80's.

[348NUT]

I checked the 8th digit of the VIN and it is an H making it a 305 Truck. I'm sure it is the original engine so I'm sure it is a 305. Now does anyone know where I can get info on rewiring the computer for an old car? I'd like to do it without buying a $500 harness. Also will the computer work right if you change the cubic inches? Say if I put a 283 or 327 bottom end under the 305 top end? This would also apply to adapting fuel injection to a 348-409. Maybe this should be a new thread. :) NUT