Chevy 350 engine designation

[lamborg1]

I just bought a 1979 Z28 original engine is gone of course. What it has is a 350 number 3970010 Stamped with CHC supposed to be a 76 Vette L82 4-speed block. The heads are date coded J3002. Means to me Oct 30,1972 makes these 1973 heads as far as I can see 350 heads. I am a little dis-appointed, this engine looks like a mutant somebody put together. Is there anyone who knows or can suggest a website I can check this engine out on. I don't want to invest the time and hassle into pulling this apart to see what it is.
It runs but real tired sounding with a mis or so it seems. I can get it to turn the tires and do a very mild burnout. It seems like it has a strong want to run strong if not for the mis. Plugs, wires, cap,rotor ignition all check out fine. Maybe a valve situation?? Any help on this engine before pulling it to find out without the hard and greasy mess?? Thanks, Dennis:o:confused:

[Oldcar_Mechanic]

chevytalk.com has various year Chevy boards and Corvette boards.

Ron

[Twitch]

It's probably just worn out whatever year it is. Remember by 1976 it was the height of low horsepower. The insurance companies were *****ing about it and the auto compaines were trying to get ahead of the EPA's crap with half assed bolt on smog controls not new engineering.

I have a 73 Z-28 bought new. They used the L82. It originally had 275HP. By 1974 it was like 250 and who knows how low it was by 1976.

They detuned the engines and hobbled them with smog junk and they never ran worth a damn. You engine is simply an example of theat crappy era.