HI camaro79 what are your plans for this car,will it be a drag car or street/strip car thats a good starting point.try to determan if its a top end problem or bottem end problem with engine still in car,top end rocker arm loose/collapsted lifter /broken valve spring(ETC).I hope its not a rod if you dont have a stethascope to listen with, the trusty broom stick to the block against your ear will work.If MONEY is a issue try this route first if you can fix it do a compression check on all cylinders if it all checks out run it till you save up some cash for a crate-motor a go fast 350 crate will set you back around $4.300 to $7.500 depending on what you choose.(FYI)this is just a hunch,may have told you it's a 350 becuse it was Bored out from 3.736x3.480inches 305 bore TO 350/4.000x3.480inches,Iv run into this befor it's probebly got 350 heads on it to I hope this is the case.AS for what kind of camaro you got have you checked the VIN#should tell you what it is.