Engine identification

[73c20jim]

I believe:

1961 360 HP 409 CID (small head)
1962 380 HP & 409 HP 409 CID
1963 340 HP (small head) & 400 HP & 425 HP 409 AND RPO Z11 430 HP (low rated) 427 CID
1964 340 HP (small head) & 400 HP & 425 HP 409
1965 340 HP (small head) & 400 HP
1965 1/2 396 CID no more 409s.

 

[Travlr]

Resurrecting an old thread to get better information...

I got the cast number off the left rear of the block, but I can't find any stamped number. Where would the stamped number be? Is it under an exhaust manifold?

The cast number tells me the block is a 350, used between 1969 and 1979 and 185 "low power" and 370 "high power" (what does THAT mean???) and 2 or 4 caps (don't know what that means either. 2 or 4 bolt main?)

I'd really like to find the stamped number on the block. I'm assuming it's in the same place on every 350 (?) but I sure don't see any stamped numbers or a machined surface that it could be stamped on.

Help? Thanks...

 

[Old Guy Bill]

The numbers/letters you’re looking for are stamped on the block, not cast in.
This pic shows where it was originally, front passenger side of the block…
but if the motor has been rebuilt it was probably machined off when the block was surfaced.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Travlr]

The numbers/letters you’re looking for are stamped on the block, not cast in.
This pic shows where it was originally, front passenger side of the block…
but if the motor has been rebuilt it was probably machined off when the block was surfaced.

You must be registered for see images attach

Found it. Had to scape off some paint but it looks pretty clear. Thanks for your help. Is there a site that is best for checking the numbers to see what I have?

It looks like I only have eight digits, V0430TJC. I thought there would be more...

 

[Bextreme04]

Found it. Had to scape off some paint but it looks pretty clear. Thanks for your help. Is there a site that is best for checking the numbers to see what I have?

It looks like I only have eight digits, V04307JC. I thought there would be more...

The last 2 or 3 letters are all that matter there. The first letter is the assembly plant and the numbers are the assembly date codes. Your engine suffix code is "JC".

If you look at that suffix code in the lime book : http://www.camaros.org/pdf/LimeBook.pdf you see that JC was only used on Big Blocks (only a 396 in 1969)

Make really sure that you haven't misread or missed a letter/number somewhere

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Found it. Had to scape off some paint but it looks pretty clear. Thanks for your help. Is there a site that is best for checking the numbers to see what I have?

It looks like I only have eight digits, V04307JC. I thought there would be more...

You will have to use all the info you have available, casting number, casting date and the stamped pad. Google, several sites will have a lot of info.
V is Flint Michigan, the next four numbers are most likely the month & day.
I don’t know about JC…. Sometimes the vehicles VIN would be there also.
In the end you’ll only be able to find a certain amount of info, it just wasn’t that important when they were producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles day after day.

 

[Bextreme04]

Here's my best guess. The V at the front means it was built in Flint, Mi. 04 means it was built in April, 30 means it was built on the 30th day of April. I think the suffix is actually "TJC", not "7JC"

"TJC" is a 73 or 74 350 equipped with a 4bbl carb and manual transmission in a truck.

 

[Travlr]

The numbers/letters you’re looking for are stamped on the block, not cast in.
This pic shows where it was originally, front passenger side of the block…
but if the motor has been rebuilt it was probably machined off when the block was surfaced.

You must be registered for see images attach

Okay, I think I have it. V=Flint, Michigan. 0430 is April, 30. TJC is a 1973 block casting and 160hp, used in 2WD C20/3500.

But that doesn't match with the casting number on the back of the block which is 3970010... and the info on that casting number says it is a 350, used 1969 through 1979, 185 to 370HP, and 2 or 4 bolt mains.

So if the stamped number suffix says it was 160HP and the casting says the block was used for 185HP engines (at the low end)... what to believe?

 

[Turbo4whl]

@Travlr Glade you brought this thread up, good read!

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Okay, I think I have it. V=Flint, Michigan. 0430 is April, 30. TJC is a 1973 block casting and 160hp, used in 2WD C20/3500.

But that doesn't match with the casting number on the back of the block which is 3970010... and the info on that casting number says it is a 350, used 1969 through 1979, 185 to 370HP, and 2 or 4 bolt mains.

So if the stamped number suffix says it was 160HP and the casting says the block was used for 185HP engines (at the low end)... what to believe?

It’s a 350 block, 160hp, 185hp, etc… really not any difference. 2 barrel vs 4 barrel etc..
Check the head casting numbers also.
From here you’ll have to disassemble it to see what’s inside.

 

[RustyPile]

Resurrecting an old thread to get better information...

I got the cast number off the left rear of the block, but I can't find any stamped number. Where would the stamped number be? Is it under an exhaust manifold?

The cast number tells me the block is a 350, used between 1969 and 1979 and 185 "low power" and 370 "high power" (what does THAT mean???) and 2 or 4 caps (don't know what that means either. 2 or 4 bolt main?)

I'd really like to find the stamped number on the block. I'm assuming it's in the same place on every 350 (?) but I sure don't see any stamped numbers or a machined surface that it could be stamped on.

Help? Thanks...

There are several sites with information that help identify old engines.. Here's one for SBC going back to around 1975..

Decoding small block Chevy engine suffix codes and stamped numbers TBT - TJS

Decoding small block Chevy engine suffix codes and stamped numbers: TBT - TJS.

nastyz28.com

And another one....

Mortec - Chevy Small-Block Casting Numbers, Engine Codes and more

 

[Bextreme04]

Okay, I think I have it. V=Flint, Michigan. 0430 is April, 30. TJC is a 1973 block casting and 160hp, used in 2WD C20/3500.

But that doesn't match with the casting number on the back of the block which is 3970010... and the info on that casting number says it is a 350, used 1969 through 1979, 185 to 370HP, and 2 or 4 bolt mains.

So if the stamped number suffix says it was 160HP and the casting says the block was used for 185HP engines (at the low end)... what to believe?

That all matches. The 010 block is the most common 350 block. It was used for everything 350 for about 30 years. The engine stamping number tells you what the specific assembly was in regards to piston, cam, heads, intake, etc... that were used and the rated power that gave in the stock configuration. A truck engine is always going to be a lower rated HP because it has lower compression and a cam/head combo designed for low RPM torque rather than high revving HP.