JKLNHDE

Hello. A friend of mine just purchased a very cool 1957 Bel Air hardtop . Somewhere in its history, what looks like an early 60's Corvette motor and 4 speed were dropped in. I am intrigued by the motor as it sounds like a solid cam engine and am trying to identify it. The only numbers I can easily find are what's on the pad in front of the passenger side head. There is no serial number but has "FI204D" stamped on it. Can anyone tell me what this engine is and when it was built from just this sequence? Thanks I've struck out on my own trying to decipher it!

Nowhere Man

No offense but every single engine found in any Chevy seems to have came from a Vette

Nowhere Man

But to really help locate the block casting number located on the back of the block on the flange where the trans mounts

JohnZ

Anything with a "D" suffix was a '56-'64 Powerglide passenger car engine; block casting number and casting date will zero it down to the year.

JKLNHDE

What's the easiest way to get to where the casting numbers are ? A step by step is appreciated.
Thanks again .

Nowhere Man

You look down behind the dist and firewall and you can see them unless it's a powerglide

Solid Axle Guy

You have to look on the bell housing flange at the rear of the block. On the driver's side is a cast #. On the Pass side is the cast date. With the #s in all three places the block can be correctly identified assuming it has not been "messed with." On powerglide cars, the bracket that holds the kickdown linkage on the drivers side can cover up the cast # of the block.

Revfan

I pulled this from the web years ago... don't know who originally posted it... but whoever you are, thanks!

JKLNHDE

I am assuming all the numbers are accessible from under the car? IE - if you get the car up and look at the back of the engine from the bottom can you see these casting numbers?

With the engine now residing in a 57 coupe where the hood opens towards the windshield it isn't possible to see the back of the engine from the top. Thanks very much.

Revfan

Not under the car... should see them looking down from the top. Flashlight should be helpful, and maybe a rag to wipe off the grime

GUSTO14

Rob, if it's important enough to you, try borrowing a borescope from someone, or pick one up on line, they've gotten pretty inexpensive of late.

With one of these, you should be able to see everything you need to from either above the engine or even below the engine.

Good luck... GUSTO

JKLNHDE

Good idea thank you !

MaineDoc

I agree but several years ago I tried to buy a 63 FI coupe that had a NOM. The story was that the original motor was in a 57 Chevy in my small city. I tracked down the Chevy but the owner wouldn't sell. I planned to buy both and reunite the FI coupe with its original engine. This was when a 63 FI coupe was worth about $20,000.