GMC Repair: Engine block sizes, blown head gasket, engine rebuilder

Question
I have a 1976 GMC Jimmy. In 96 I had a rebuilt 350 installed replacing my blown 400. Recently I've had a blown head gasket or something like that. Anyway I took the heads to a shop for repair/replacement. They told me my heads were from a 305 and the estimate for repair in total was approx. just under $500. They have a set of 350 heads and ready to go for approx. $400. They told me to measure my block to determine if it was really a 350 block. How do I do that and are those prices reasonable? Thank You

Answer
The price is very reasonable. As far as I remember the 305 and 350 are the same block. The only difference is the size of the bore where the pistons are installed.

I am not an engine builder but look for the engine ID letters that are stamped on a flat machined plate located at the front righthand side of the cylinder block which would be on your LEFT side while you are facing the engine from the front.

Look for 2 or 3 letters or possibly a letter number combination on the pad and let me know what they are so I can tell you what the engine is out of.

The engine rebuilder should be abkle to tell you thuis same information based on this information.



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