SBC 350?!?!?

[Isaac nickerson]

Hey guys Im trying to pinpoint exactly what motor I have. I know its a 68 to 74 small block. I found my engine vin number (3932386) and it says its either a 305, 327, or 350. I know it is not a 305 because it is has 2 bolt mains. Im pretty sure its a 350 considering its a k10 pickup and that the guy before said it was a 350. But i just wanted to be certain so that ordering parts is easier. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Knight84]

Why would 2-bolt mains make it not a 305? 305 can have 2-bolt main caps.

You can check the Harmonic balancer, How wide and the diameter.

RPO code can help you too.

You might have to find a few different numbers on the engine and check all of them against this link

http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/sbcid2.htm

 

[WFO]

Unless it has different heads, or the original ones have been reworked, a 68-74 small block won't have the hardened valve seats needed for unleaded fuel.

 

[45acp]

Hey guys Im trying to pinpoint exactly what motor I have. I know its a 68 to 74 small block. I found my engine vin number (3932386) and it says its either a 305, 327, or 350. I know it is not a 305 because it is has 2 bolt mains. Im pretty sure its a 350 considering its a k10 pickup and that the guy before said it was a 350. But i just wanted to be certain so that ordering parts is easier. Anyone have any thoughts?

Ok stay with me here this going to be kind of long! Where the head meets the block

 

[45acp]

Ok stay with me here this going to be kind of long! Where the head meets the block

Hey guys Im trying to pinpoint exactly what motor I have. I know its a 68 to 74 small block. I found my engine vin number (3932386) and it says its either a 305, 327, or 350. I know it is not a 305 because it is has 2 bolt mains. Im pretty sure its a 350 considering its a k10 pickup and that the guy before said it was a 350. But i just wanted to be certain so that ordering parts is easier. Anyone have any thoughts?

Let's try this again ( fat finger pushed wrong button). Where the head meets the block ( front) on the passenger side (rh) there is a flat spot on the block. The will be a 2 or 3 letter code stamped in the flat spot. If you take that to a Chevrolet dealer parts dept and if the still have the old passenger car and truck catalogs they will be able to tell you what it came out of,what year,and sometimes what trans.was behind it. I would look for the oldest parts guy you can find, he will also know that corvette has a separate catalog.

 

[Isaac nickerson]

Do you have to remove any parts to see the code?

 

[45acp]

Do you have to remove any parts to see the code?

Sorry I though it was out of the truck. The alternator may have to be removed.

 

[Isaac nickerson]

oh ok thanks.

 

[Bextreme04]

Hey guys Im trying to pinpoint exactly what motor I have. I know its a 68 to 74 small block. I found my engine vin number (3932386) and it says its either a 305, 327, or 350. I know it is not a 305 because it is has 2 bolt mains. Im pretty sure its a 350 considering its a k10 pickup and that the guy before said it was a 350. But i just wanted to be certain so that ordering parts is easier. Anyone have any thoughts?

Couple things here... That number you gave is the engine block casting number. There should also be a date code cast on the raised ridge near that number. On the machined surface in front of the passenger side head you will find a stamping code. This code will give you the ASSEMBLY date, assembly plant, partial VIN of the original car, and a three digit alphanumeric code that will tell you specific application. Here is a site that has pics of what that looks like. https://nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php. If this is a truck application you can see it by looking down from the top of the motor between the head and the alternator.

When you get the code, you can look up what the application is on that same page by scrolling down and clicking on the link that your specific code falls in.

 

[Isaac nickerson]

Thanks very helpful! Ill let you guys know what I find.

 

[Bextreme04]

Just so you can see what I’m talking about... this is an engine I just got to replace my blown up 350 for a few weeks until I’m ready to do the fuel injected 454 swap. I got the motor for free, so no idea what it was other than most likely a 350. Scraped the gunk off the drivers side rear flange behind the head. You can see block casting number parallel with the bell housing flange and the casting date code on the bolt web.

You must be registered for see images attach

Then I scraped the paint and grease off the flat in front of the passenger side head and looking down between the head and back of alternator, you can see the stamped number.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[potent rodent]

check the dip stick location , my 305 has oil dipstick on pass side , 350 has it on dr side , now my bb 427 has it on the pass side

 

[Dutch Rutter]

check the dip stick location , my 305 has oil dipstick on pass side , 350 has it on dr side , now my bb 427 has it on the pass side

350s can have the dipstick on either side depending year of the block. Getting the numbers is about the best way to know for sure.

 

[Waylon]

TDY is a 1972, 1973 or 1980 350

Edit: Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention and thought the OP had posted pictures of his engine ID number.

 

[cstew47]

Couple things here... That number you gave is the engine block casting number. There should also be a date code cast on the raised ridge near that number. On the machined surface in front of the passenger side head you will find a stamping code. This code will give you the ASSEMBLY date, assembly plant, partial VIN of the original car, and a three digit alphanumeric code that will tell you specific application. Here is a site that has pics of what that looks like. https://nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php. If this is a truck application you can see it by looking down from the top of the motor between the head and the alternator.

When you get the code, you can look up what the application is on that same page by scrolling down and clicking on the link that your specific code falls in.

Unless, like me, the 350 has been stroked to 383. Then the block number will look like a 350