SBC350 Suffix Code Question

slab · BRANT COUNTY, ONT

SBC350 Suffix Code Question

invision · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Hi guys,

Doing a spring cleanup and was looking at the Chevy 350 - Casting# 3970010 - 4 bolt main engine my Dad has been storing out back. It came out of the '70 C20 he parted out a few years back. Out of curiosity I got looking at the Suffix Code and having a hard time figuring out what the last 3 digits mean.

K0829T5A. From this I know that it was built in St. Catharines - K... on Aug29th....but the T5A has me puzzled. There's also a K2 cast into the driver's side top bell housing area. Nothing listed in any online resources.

Wondering if someone out there is familiar with the T5A designation. Is it a Canadian thing?

Thanks very much in advance.

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

Might be...I have never seen a letter-number-letter suffix code. I thought it might be TSA, but thats not there either

invision · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Poncho - It has really baffled me. I thought I may be reading it wrong...the T5A is stamped very clear, but no where can I find it in online searches. i talked to a buddy tonight ... has the same Suffix ending on his St. Kitts built 350 as well...

Slab - That makes sense to have T for Truck. It's a start :D

Hopefully we can clear this mystery up.

Thanks again for all the help.

69SS454 · MILTON, ONT

I'm thinking the "5" is a "B"...TBA is listed for a 1970 C20 215hp 2bbl. Have any pics?

RacerRick · TORONTO, ONT

They used the letter/number/letter codes in the late 70's and early 80's. You would have to check the casting date, as the motor might be a late 70's 350.

invision · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

By casting date, you're referring to the K2 next to the 3970010 casting number at the top rear of the bell housing area? It's got 3970010...then K2... then 350 from left to right looking at the engine from the driver's seat as if it was in the truck.

Modfather · VICTORIA HARBOUR, ONT

Mine has the same code and it is a 68 to mid 70's truck block 350 also used in high performance applications large journal cast crank. they used bot 2 bolt and 4 bolt mains. In Canada they only used the PCV to the carb as far as emmisions. A retired GM tech helped me with this he seemed to know his stuff.

OldGuy 71Acadian · ONTARIO

invision wrote:
By casting date, you're referring to the K2 next to the 3970010 casting number at the top rear of the bell housing area? It's got 3970010...then K2... then 350 from left to right looking at the engine from the driver's seat as if it was in the truck.

Casting Date
Small block casting date is located on driver side rear of block on flange forward of bellhousing. Big block on the right side of engine above the oil pan rails.

Casting Date Example: E038- (E = Month, 03 = Day, 8 = Last digit of model year (1978)).

Month: A = Jan, B = Feb, C = Mar, D = Apr, E = May, F = Jun, G = July, H = Aug, I = Sep, J = Oct, K = Nov, L = Dec

invision · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Thanks again for the help Gents!

Wish we could hit this nail on the head. Regarding the casting date we're getting K - November...but how would the 2 be interpreted..as a month or a year - 1972? or 1982?

This sure is an odd duck.

OldGuy 71Acadian · ONTARIO

invision wrote:
Thanks again for the help Gents!

Wish we could hit this nail on the head. Regarding the casting date we're getting K - November...but how would the 2 be interpreted..as a month or a year - 1972? or 1982?

This sure is an odd duck.

If the info I have is good, the 3970010 block was only used between 1969 and 1979, so that makes yours a 1972 block. biggrin biggrin biggrin

invision · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Very cool! Thanks very much OldGuy71 :D

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Here are some #'s off the engine I got for the 52 VO418 TYZ comes out as 1975 Truck 350 4bolt main # below that is C7F 187392 Block casting is 3970010 Can anyone confirm that the 75 Truck only had PCV set up before I grind the #'s off the frt pad by cyl. head!!!! Re emm. inspectors seeing the #. If it's only PCV set up then i'm OK

OldGuy 71Acadian · ONTARIO

dualquadpete wrote:
Here are some #'s off the engine I got for the 52 VO418 TYZ comes out as 1975 Truck 350 4bolt main # below that is C7F 187392 Block casting is 3970010 Can anyone confirm that the 75 Truck only had PCV set up before I grind the #'s off the frt pad by cyl. head!!!! Re emm. inspectors seeing the #. If it's only PCV set up then i'm OK

http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/scode9.htm

Yep Pete, TYZ is a 75 350 4 bolt. I'm not 100% on the truck engines. Trucks in Canada were always behind the cars in the emmissions department. I'm thinking yes to EGR but maybe not Cats. Hell, I'm not sure on the EGR for trucks. confuse

Maybe some of the truck guys will chime in.

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Thanks Joe, I ground off the frt. #'s & smoothed off the pad w/ JB weld & re-sprayed the frt. of engine!!! It's now a 68 327!!!! 3970010 Can't run an EGR with the Edelbrock 2x4 intake.Pete

flatduck · SUDBURY, ONT

i can t find the posting that i saw someone was asking about numbers on a target master engine where do i look it s a 350 and i already know it was used for a replacement engine in an early 80 s chevy

RacerRick · TORONTO, ONT

Trucks didn't have cats till 78'.

OldGuy 71Acadian · ONTARIO

flatduck wrote:
i can t find the posting that i saw someone was asking about numbers on a target master engine where do i look it s a 350 and i already know it was used for a replacement engine in an early 80 s chevy

Read down the page. biggrin

http://www.chevy-camaro.com/faq/chevy-camaro-faq-engine-decoding.shtm

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

RacerRick wrote:
Trucks didn't have cats till 78'.

A friend of mine bought a brand new 78 Blazer....no cats....maybe it was a mid year thing, or he just got lucky

RacerRick · TORONTO, ONT

Depends on the vehical weight rating. Heavier trucks with a GVW of over 8000lbs didn't have cats until 1984. But most half tons and similar got cats starting in 78'.