Help:Decode SBC

GhostPost · ONTARIO

Help:Decode SBC

GhostPost · ONTARIO

-- Edited by GhostPost on Monday 22nd of January 2018 06:39:46 PM

Ground Pounder · Senior Member

Truck...The last picture is of it's partial Vin #

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html

-- Edited by Ground Pounder on Monday 22nd of January 2018 07:24:15 PM

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

If I remember correctly. The 1 is for the car line 1 is Chevrolet. The 7 I think is the year of the engine the last group is the vin number .

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

The K041202R I think is the manufacturing plant and date code and serial. That's what my feeble old mind can remember.

Ground Pounder · Senior Member

51 Styline wrote:
If I remember correctly. The 1 is for the car line 1 is Chevrolet. The 7 I think is the year of the engine the last group is the vin number .

Your right i'm wrong on the K part

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php

Click here for Chevy Engine Code Listings

The engine date must precede the car build date, otherwise something is amiss. Some engine machining operations (decking) will obliterate the engine ID.

Engine ID Code Example: V0101CLJ - (V = Plant, 01 = Month, 01 = Day, CLJ = Engine Suffix Code)
Another example: T0830CTY - (T = Tonawanda, 08 = August, 30 = 30th day, CTY = 1970 396 Camaro, 375 hp, 11.0:1, TH400)

Code	Engine Plant	Code	Engine Plant
F	Flint (Motor)	S	Saginaw Service
H	Hydramatic	T	Tonawanda
K	St. Catherines, Ontario	V	Flint (Engine)
	(McKinnon Industries Canada)
M	GM of Mexico

VIN Code Format
The vin code format is stamped onto most engines. The format consists of divisional identification number, model year, assembly plant designation and vehicle serial or sequence number.
In 68-69 model cars, the serial (VIN) number of the car the engine was installed in is stamped next to, or under the engine code ID.
Starting in 1970, the serial number is stamped either above the oil filter, somewhere on the block pad (in front of the cylinder head), or on the transmission flange somewhere. Chevrolet issued technical service bulletins to indicate which engines were to recieve a vin stamp, so who knows what could have happend (or not happened).

VIN code format Example: 13N100001
(1 = Chevrolet, 3 = 1973, N = Norwood, 100001 = Production sequence of vehicle VIN)

-- Edited by Ground Pounder on Monday 22nd of January 2018 07:27:45 PM

GhostPost · ONTARIO

Thank you. I figured out K is for St. Catherines On...The dots represent the hour on shift. But im lost on what car in came in...actual hp etc....

iron horse · HAMILTON, ONT

What are you asking for the crate engine? She's a beauty!

Pete Moss · GTA

I'm guessing you already know this but the "suffix code" should tell you what this engine came from.

In your case the suffix code appears to be an R. Unfortunately, according to the internet an R means it's a 327 from the early 60's which makes no sense because of the 010 block casting.

Your pic of sequence K041202R isn't too clear (MOST of the sequence is clear but the R is not and you aren't showing the block beyond the R although it may be clearer in person). Is there any possibility it really isn't an R (possibly a K or a B for example) and is there any chance there is a letter or two after the R that may still be hidden under paint?

I thought the R might stand for "replacement" but that doesn't explain the partial VIN stamped into the block. Another thought is that it was removed from something other than a car or truck ... it could have come from a boat or some kind of farm machinery too but that also doesn't explain the partial VIN either.

In my case I researched the suffix code on an engine I have and (I think it was HD) it showed that it was a 350 and came from a 1969 Camaro, was 250hp, in front of an automatic, and equipped with a 2bbl ... in my case I knew this to be correct because that is exactly what I removed the engine from (a gold RS stone stock '69 Camaro).

Wonder if there's any chance it came from a larger truck or an ambulance etc something that isn't your standard car or 1/2 ton.

There may also be a three number or letter sequence of raised numbers (cast in not stamped) on the block, up near where the back of the intake manifold rests, somewhere in the vicinity of the oil pressure port. If it's there, it should tell you what year the block was cast, that might help you narrow down the possible hp ratings for that year although, if you rebuild this engine and swap in flat tops and a perf cam, what hp the engine came with no longer applies to anything I would guess.

-- Edited by Pete Moss on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 09:24:38 AM

-- Edited by Pete Moss on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 09:25:46 AM

-- Edited by Pete Moss on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 09:28:39 AM

-- Edited by Pete Moss on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 09:31:52 AM

-- Edited by Pete Moss on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 09:32:40 AM

GhostPost · ONTARIO

Appreciate the help, thank you.

GhostPost · ONTARIO

Here is some better photos

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

General Decoding Information
This topic can be somewhat confusing, especially with the amount of information available and the interpretation of it. The primary pieces of information you'll decode are the Engine Code and Partial VIN. You can decode the casting number. And you can check dates. The engine code and partial vin # will accurately nail down whatever the thing is rather quickly, and the other information will fall into line with that. If you already know what you're doing, Chevy Engine Codes are listed down below.

Let's decode something real quick like, you can read the details further down below:
Chevy Engine Code

Here's an engine. I can see the partial VIN (13N132794) and the engine code (V0112CLJ).
Quickly from the partial vin I know this is a Chevy (1) 1973 model year (3) built in Norwood Ohio (N).
132794 is the unique vehicle serial number (to match against vehicle VIN).
I know Norwood built Camaros - among other things. So I'm dealing with something from a 1973 Camaro.
Now to the engine code.
V0112 (flint, january 12th)
CLJ in 1973 is a 245 horsepower 350 used in a Z28 Camaro mated to a manual transmission.
Knowing this, I can conclude the original vehicles VIN is or was 1Q87T3N132794.
If that happens to be the vehicle this engine is currently sitting in they "match".
I'm Done. I can GUESS the casting # is 3970010 and check casting dates, etc... but using these 2 things, I already know EXACTLY what this was.

Here's another:

10S437638 & V0312CTG.
1970... S... St. Louis (built Vettes & Impalas). 4xxx is the Corvette Range. Yikes.
CTG - in 1970.... RPO ZQ3, 300hp 350 in a Corvette.
... and the Casting # is.... 3970010.

My point here I guess is... trying to decode "3970010" is almost pointless. It's a 350. If you're trying to buy a 350 and you see this thing laying on the ground, then there it is. But if you want to know EXACTLY what the thing is - you need more than the casting #. Once you identify something - like the above vette block, then you can conclude what other pieces and parts should have been on it, and check those casting #'s. And/or - you can check dates to make sure everything came together when original.

ONE NOTE: Casting #'s will trump the code on a descrepancy. Take the above CLJ example. In 1987 CLJ is a 305 L69 in a monte carlo, or in 1971 it's a 400 from a monte carlo. So when the arguement over 305, 350 or 400 comes up... now you look at the casting #. 3970010.... bang, it's a 350. That eliminates the 400 and 305 possibilities.

As you can see - codes are reused and/or they span years. This is why I looked at the VIN code 1st. 1973 - eliminates every other possiblity. Everything else lines up and there's no confusion.

Engine Code Stamping Numbers
All engines are stamped with an engine ID code, consisting of assembly plant code, production date and suffix code. The location of this code depends on the type of engine, typically as follows:
Small Block Chevy: Machined pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head. Often hidden by the alterator.
Big Block Chevy: Machined pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head or above timing chain cover.
Six Cylinder: Passenger side of the block behind the distributor.

The prefix portion of the ID code tells you the engine assembly plant code, and the engine's assembly date (for example, 0701 = July 1st....no year is indicated). The suffix portion tells you the original application, vehicle model, engine RPO/ transmission / horsepower, etc... (for example, CTY = 1970 396 Camaro, 375 hp, 11.0:1, TH400).
The engine assembly date must precede the car build date (often by a few days), otherwise something is amiss. Some engine machining operations (decking) will obliterate the engine ID.

Engine ID Code Example: V0101CLJ - (V = Plant, 01 = Month, 01 = Day, CLJ = Engine Suffix Code)
Another example: T0830CTY - (T = Tonawanda, 08 = August, 30 = 30th day, CTY = 1970 396 Camaro, 375 hp, 11.0:1, TH400)

Code Engine Plant Code Engine Plant
F Flint (Motor) S Saginaw Service
H Hydramatic T Tonawanda
K St. Catherines, Ontario V Flint (Engine)
(McKinnon Industries Canada)
M GM of Mexico
VIN Code Format
The vin code format is stamped onto most engines. The format consists of divisional identification number, model year, assembly plant designation and vehicle serial or sequence number.
In 68-69 model cars, the serial (VIN) number of the car the engine was installed in is stamped next to, or under the engine code ID.
Starting in 1970, the serial number is stamped either above the oil filter, somewhere on the block pad (in front of the cylinder head), or on the transmission flange somewhere. Chevrolet issued technical service bulletins to indicate which engines were to recieve a vin stamp, so who knows what could have happend (or not happened).

VIN code format Example: 13N100001
(1 = Chevrolet, 3 = 1973, N = Norwood, 100001 = Production sequence of vehicle VIN)

For a list of assembly plants, click here.

Suffix Portion of Chevy Engine Code

Suffix codes are either alphabetical or alphanumeric. Select the portion of the alphabet for your code. For example, select "DTR-HQ" if you'd like to find code DZ. In some cases suffix codes are reused twice or more over time, in this event check the partial VIN code or block casting date code and then see what year the block was made to pin down what application your block was originally used in. This list of codes is a summarization, it is not complete nor all inclusive.

Small Block Engine Suffix Code Menu
3N - CDR | CE - CMJ | CMK - CUD | CUF - DTM | DTR - HQ |
HR - TBS | TBT - TJS | TJT - TXB | TXC - UTT | UTU - ZY |

Big Block Engine Suffix Code Menu
0FC - 9XZ | AAA - CTB | CTH - IJ | IK - MZ | Q - YZ
Note: CODE CExxxx (counter or crate engine) was used from 1968 to current year. It represents any CID and is used to indicate this particular engine was replaced under Warranty. It is a direct replacement for the original equipment. It doesn't indicate what the original equipment was.

VF292800 - is an example of a over the counter crate engine. "2800" is the last 4 digits of the GM part # for the crate engine assembly. The final digit could be a year code.
Another example: A Targetmaster engine (p/n 14009800) built in 1985 could have a code stamped as follows:
A0198005 (A = january, 01, 9800 = pn, 5 = 1985).

Here's something secret I've been working on since 2005.

"Numbers Matching"
This is my opinion, and the generally accepted norm:
When people say "It's numbers matching" - what they mean is the engine (or other component, i.e the transmission) can be MATCHED to the vehicle it was originally used in. This match is done via the PARTIAL VIN stamp on the component. The partial VIN will match the vehicles VIN. If it does - it's "numbers matching", otherwise - it's not. done. end of story.
Some folks use these terms loosely, or will say "numbers correct" or something to that effect. But numbers correct is not numbers matching. Again, it either matches or it doesn't. If it doesn't match - is it correct?
Numbers matching is important when you're trying to decode a Z28 or Super Sport where the VIN won't identify the vehicle as such. You need to decode the engine and see if it matches the vehicle, and if the code signifies Z28 or SS equipment.
Lastly, in extreme cases, you'll want to verify the numbers stamped onto the component were the ones stamped into it originally and aren't restamped.
The point of this article is to help you figure out how to decode stuff.

What good is knowing the transmission? MT (or Manual transmission) IMPLIES - the boss (or the pivot itself) for the clutch Z-bar is present and threaded and the crankshaft can accomodate a pilot bearing. Good news is 99.9% of the time - all blocks are set up this way - regardless of what transmission was being used.

Hey man - is this a 4 bolt main?
I have no idea.... drilling the holes is a machining operation. It can be done on any 3970010 (or other) block. 99% of the time, the casting # won't indicate anything. HOWEVER - the engine code MAY HINT at this fact. Take a truck 350. If it codes out as a 1/2 ton application - we can bet money it's only a 2 bolt. but if it's a 3/4 or 1 ton application, or some high powered application, you can ASSUME it might just be a 4 bolt main. Both of the above 350 examples are 4 bolt mains due to the application. The only guarantee is to take off the pan and look.

What's this A/F/X stuff?
This is the GM body designation. All these are identified here. Quickly, A = Chevelle, F = Camaro, X = Nova. If you're looking at the engine code - this is already known. If you're looking at the casting # information and it mentions 3970010 "A/F/X/Y/B".... basically this means "it's used in everything", whereas if it simply states "Y"... this means corvette.

Last updated: 11/1/2013
Author: MadMike Maciolek