dumb question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shultzy7 · 07-30-2004, 11:39 PM

this may be a very stupid question, but how can you tell what size an engine is as far as 305, 350, 383 etc.? God I feel really dumb right now.

K Dubb · 07-31-2004, 12:24 AM

im pretty sure if you look on the block they stamp numbers/ letters on it that identify that type of stuff

Prerunner1982 · 07-31-2004, 12:26 AM

if it is the stock engine you should also be able to get it off the V.I.N plate and compare it to the owners manual. what year is your truck?

shultzy7 · 07-31-2004, 01:12 AM

It is a 1980 C10

**N2TRUX** · 07-31-2004, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shultzy7

this may be a very stupid question, but how can you tell what size an engine is as far as 305, 350, 383 etc.? God I feel really dumb right now.

Your not dumb for asking a question. Your only dumb if you don't know and never find out.

Assuming your motor is the original one that came in your truck it could be a 305 or a 350. A 383 is a bored and stroked 350 so it's not that....

Prerunner1982 · 07-31-2004, 10:09 AM

Check your VIN, i am not sure about 80, but in 82 an H code for the engine is a 305.. built in Canada (or Mexico??) i believe. i know these guys would know more about that.

shultzy7 · 07-31-2004, 07:23 PM

Thanks for all the input, I will check it out.

Nvbowtie · 07-31-2004, 07:27 PM

Mine is a 80 350 and Vin L,

also check your emissions sticker above the radiator.

shultzy7 · 07-31-2004, 07:52 PM

ok, I finally figured out this whole thing and my VIN code is D. Which indicates the engine is a 250. Does that limit my options as far as what I can and can't do with the engine. Or, should I put in a whole new engine. I can't see doing that since this engine only has 30,000 miles on it. I don't know, what do you guys think?

Prerunner1982 · 07-31-2004, 08:00 PM

are you sure it has a V8? a 250 is an Inline 6... big difference, if it is a v8 its obviously not stock and then you have to check the codes stamped on the engine.

shultzy7 · 07-31-2004, 08:06 PM

No, I know it's not a V8. I hope I never said it was. It is an Inline 6 I believe. SO, does that limit my options?

Prerunner1982 · 07-31-2004, 08:14 PM

when you were talking about 305, 350 and 383. i assumed you knew it was a v8... you might check out www.cliffordperformance.com i believe. they specialize in inline 6 performance parts.

shultzy7 · 07-31-2004, 08:21 PM

Thanks, I appreciate it!

**swervin ervin** · 07-31-2004, 09:59 PM

Personally, I think you would be way better off swapping out the six for a V8 if you are looking for performance. Don't get me wrong, Clifford offers some very nice stuff to make the 250 perform great, but it comes at a very high cost. Just the initial swap from a six to a 350 would be way cheaper than trying to make the six perform close to the 350 as far as power. Even with the 350 being stock.

Remember the old saying, "there is no replacement for displacement".

bigblock73 · 07-31-2004, 11:07 PM

I agree with Mike...BUT, care to take a guess at the numbers of 73-87 owners on this board, and in this world, have a small block under their hood? I bet it is in the 90% range. I would like to get another "run around/utility" C10 with a straight six...just to be different and have fun.

If this is your first truck, and your only truck, I would keep the inline six and work on making the truck a excellent running and reliable truck (if it isn't already). A V8 swap is easy, but if you just want to drive it and enjoy it, keep the six for a while and save up for the V8 parts for down the road.

Also, here is another inline six site.

cliffsta · 07-31-2004, 11:49 PM

yeah, if your goal is to make it a show truck, like air bags and body styling etc, then a six cylinder is fine, plus its easier on gas. If you're about GO GO GO then swap it out for a 305 or a 350, preferably a 350 but i got a 305 and i like it fine enuff. personally, i don't race, so the 305 goes fast enough to blow away people light to light, like tonight, i destroyed a jeep light to light 2 times.

shultzy7 · 08-01-2004, 03:20 PM

Thanks guys, sounds like I've got some decisions to make. I think I will get some pics out and let you all take a look. It needs some work to get it the point of being an awesome truck, but I think I can make it happen with your help. It still needs a paint job and some interior work done to it, but it has a great base, it think. I will get some pics and you can decide. Thanks again you guys are great!

07-30-2004, 11:39 PM	#1
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	dumb question this may be a very stupid question, but how can you tell what size an engine is as far as 305, 350, 383 etc.? God I feel really dumb right now.

07-31-2004, 07:27 PM	#8
Nvbowtie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Laughlin, Nv. USA Posts: 700	Mine is a 80 350 and Vin L, also check your emissions sticker above the radiator. __________________ www.unlimited2u.com/chevy Bill 1980 Chevy C-10 Silverado 1988 Chevy Blazer Tahoe

07-31-2004, 09:59 PM	#14
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Personally, I think you would be way better off swapping out the six for a V8 if you are looking for performance. Don't get me wrong, Clifford offers some very nice stuff to make the 250 perform great, but it comes at a very high cost. Just the initial swap from a six to a 350 would be way cheaper than trying to make the six perform close to the 350 as far as power. Even with the 350 being stock. Remember the old saying, "there is no replacement for displacement". __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

07-31-2004, 11:07 PM	#15
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	I agree with Mike...BUT, care to take a guess at the numbers of 73-87 owners on this board, and in this world, have a small block under their hood? I bet it is in the 90% range. I would like to get another "run around/utility" C10 with a straight six...just to be different and have fun. If this is your first truck, and your only truck, I would keep the inline six and work on making the truck a excellent running and reliable truck (if it isn't already). A V8 swap is easy, but if you just want to drive it and enjoy it, keep the six for a while and save up for the V8 parts for down the road. Also, here is another inline six site. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

07-31-2004, 11:49 PM	#16
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	yeah, if your goal is to make it a show truck, like air bags and body styling etc, then a six cylinder is fine, plus its easier on gas. If you're about GO GO GO then swap it out for a 305 or a 350, preferably a 350 but i got a 305 and i like it fine enuff. personally, i don't race, so the 305 goes fast enough to blow away people light to light, like tonight, i destroyed a jeep light to light 2 times. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

07-31-2004, 12:24 AM	#2
K Dubb www.Dubbmotorsports.com Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 110	im pretty sure if you look on the block they stamp numbers/ letters on it that identify that type of stuff

07-31-2004, 12:26 AM	#3
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	if it is the stock engine you should also be able to get it off the V.I.N plate and compare it to the owners manual. what year is your truck?

07-31-2004, 01:12 AM	#4
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	It is a 1980 C10

07-31-2004, 10:09 AM	#6
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Check your VIN, i am not sure about 80, but in 82 an H code for the engine is a 305.. built in Canada (or Mexico??) i believe. i know these guys would know more about that.

07-31-2004, 07:23 PM	#7
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	Thanks for all the input, I will check it out.

07-31-2004, 07:52 PM	#9
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	ok, I finally figured out this whole thing and my VIN code is D. Which indicates the engine is a 250. Does that limit my options as far as what I can and can't do with the engine. Or, should I put in a whole new engine. I can't see doing that since this engine only has 30,000 miles on it. I don't know, what do you guys think?

07-31-2004, 08:00 PM	#10
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	are you sure it has a V8? a 250 is an Inline 6... big difference, if it is a v8 its obviously not stock and then you have to check the codes stamped on the engine.

07-31-2004, 08:06 PM	#11
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	No, I know it's not a V8. I hope I never said it was. It is an Inline 6 I believe. SO, does that limit my options?

07-31-2004, 08:14 PM	#12
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	when you were talking about 305, 350 and 383. i assumed you knew it was a v8... you might check out www.cliffordperformance.com i believe. they specialize in inline 6 performance parts.

07-31-2004, 08:21 PM	#13
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	Thanks, I appreciate it!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

08-01-2004, 03:20 PM	#17
shultzy7 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	Thanks guys, sounds like I've got some decisions to make. I think I will get some pics out and let you all take a look. It needs some work to get it the point of being an awesome truck, but I think I can make it happen with your help. It still needs a paint job and some interior work done to it, but it has a great base, it think. I will get some pics and you can decide. Thanks again you guys are great!

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.