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304 & 308

eko

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Ho guys is there any way of telling whether the engine in the car is 304 or 308 and whats the difference in the two
 

EYY

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The crank is slightly different. On the side of a 308 block it has 308 cast in big letters. A 304 will either have 5L cast into it, or nothing at all.

You can check the date casting on the front of the block above the timing cover. The engine number prefix (2 or 3 letters) can usually give a reasonable indication as to what model the engine is out of.
 

_R_J_K_

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Is it injected? What kind of gearbox does it have?
 

eko

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Its vr commodore 5.0l 5spd manual has canle clutch which i assume is the t5 borg warner gearbox
 

someguy360

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Its vr commodore 5.0l 5spd manual has canle clutch which i assume is the t5 borg warner gearbox

It will be a 304, anything post VL was 304.

The injected 304 from a VR will be 165kw at the flywheel, unless it's an HSV/HSV optioned then it's likely to be a 185 (which is the same 165 engine just a different tune).
 

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Is there difference in power, stroke figures

There would be absolutely zero to gain in using a 308 over a 304, even at the block level. One is carbied, and one is fuel injected and has way better heads.
 

Dirbatua

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It will be a 304, anything post VL was 304.

The injected 304 from a VR will be 165kw at the flywheel, unless it's an HSV/HSV optioned then it's likely to be a 185 (which is the same 165 engine just a different tune).

HSV had headers and a different exhaust plus the tune, that was the difference.
 

Reaper

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HSV had headers and a different exhaust plus the tune, that was the difference.

They also had a knock sensor which truth be known caused more problems than it solved on those old tractors.
 

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It will be a 304, anything post VL was 304.

The injected 304 from a VR will be 165kw at the flywheel, unless it's an HSV/HSV optioned then it's likely to be a 185 (which is the same 165 engine just a different tune).

There would be absolutely zero to gain in using a 308 over a 304, even at the block level. One is carbied, and one is fuel injected and has way better heads.

Just thought i'd point out for you guys, all VLs are carbied 304s. And some VKs (from a certain date onwards). Its a common misconception that carbies are 308s and injected are 304s ;)
 
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