Engine Serial Confusing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
Engine Serial Confusing
Greetings all:
Several years ago, I purchased my C2. I wanted a driver and not a show car. The seller told me the engine was a 71. After searching the web, buying books, and talking with people, I am still unsure about the year engine. The casting number is: 3970010 (69-75, 350). The date code casting is: K-12 (Nov 1, 72). So far this makes sense but here is the problem. The stamped code on the block forward of the passenger head is: C511119755 K1182 TXB. In all of my research, I learned the first letter indicates the engine assembly plant. I can't find a C that relates to a GM engine plant. Additionally, the TXB suffex explains the engine was used on a 1975 165HP light truck. Why would an engine be casted in 72 and not used until 75? The cylinder heads were both casted in K-114 and K194 (Nov 11th and Nov 19, 74). This tells me someone pieced this engine together.
Ok, if you are still with me on this, I am thinking the original engine was a 1972 not a 71 but rebuilt and restamped as a crate "C" engine. It was used in 1975. The other thought is that the stamping is bogus and the engine is probably stolen. Are there any thoughts on this? I am a little confused. Thanks
Don
Several years ago, I purchased my C2. I wanted a driver and not a show car. The seller told me the engine was a 71. After searching the web, buying books, and talking with people, I am still unsure about the year engine. The casting number is: 3970010 (69-75, 350). The date code casting is: K-12 (Nov 1, 72). So far this makes sense but here is the problem. The stamped code on the block forward of the passenger head is: C511119755 K1182 TXB. In all of my research, I learned the first letter indicates the engine assembly plant. I can't find a C that relates to a GM engine plant. Additionally, the TXB suffex explains the engine was used on a 1975 165HP light truck. Why would an engine be casted in 72 and not used until 75? The cylinder heads were both casted in K-114 and K194 (Nov 11th and Nov 19, 74). This tells me someone pieced this engine together.
Ok, if you are still with me on this, I am thinking the original engine was a 1972 not a 71 but rebuilt and restamped as a crate "C" engine. It was used in 1975. The other thought is that the stamping is bogus and the engine is probably stolen. Are there any thoughts on this? I am a little confused. Thanks
Don
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Greetings all:
Several years ago, I purchased my C2. I wanted a driver and not a show car. The seller told me the engine was a 71. After searching the web, buying books, and talking with people, I am still unsure about the year engine. The casting number is: 3970010 (69-75, 350). The date code casting is: K-12 (Nov 1, 72). So far this makes sense but here is the problem. The stamped code on the block forward of the passenger head is: C511119755 K1182 TXB. In all of my research, I learned the first letter indicates the engine assembly plant. I can't find a C that relates to a GM engine plant. Additionally, the TXB suffex explains the engine was used on a 1975 165HP light truck. Why would an engine be casted in 72 and not used until 75? The cylinder heads were both casted in K-114 and K194 (Nov 11th and Nov 19, 74). This tells me someone pieced this engine together.
Ok, if you are still with me on this, I am thinking the original engine was a 1972 not a 71 but rebuilt and restamped as a crate "C" engine. It was used in 1975. The other thought is that the stamping is bogus and the engine is probably stolen. Are there any thoughts on this? I am a little confused. Thanks
Don
Several years ago, I purchased my C2. I wanted a driver and not a show car. The seller told me the engine was a 71. After searching the web, buying books, and talking with people, I am still unsure about the year engine. The casting number is: 3970010 (69-75, 350). The date code casting is: K-12 (Nov 1, 72). So far this makes sense but here is the problem. The stamped code on the block forward of the passenger head is: C511119755 K1182 TXB. In all of my research, I learned the first letter indicates the engine assembly plant. I can't find a C that relates to a GM engine plant. Additionally, the TXB suffex explains the engine was used on a 1975 165HP light truck. Why would an engine be casted in 72 and not used until 75? The cylinder heads were both casted in K-114 and K194 (Nov 11th and Nov 19, 74). This tells me someone pieced this engine together.
Ok, if you are still with me on this, I am thinking the original engine was a 1972 not a 71 but rebuilt and restamped as a crate "C" engine. It was used in 1975. The other thought is that the stamping is bogus and the engine is probably stolen. Are there any thoughts on this? I am a little confused. Thanks
Don
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
I also had a 350 with casting 3970010, but it was from '70. I would never argue a casting. This engine had be worked on and modified for drag racing. The stamp pad was completely barren...no numbers on the pad. They had pieced it together as well by using '73 heads.
My opinion is that your block was probably decked and someone tried to stamp whatever numbers they thought was correct for their truck at that time. The reworked stamp pad could be altered very easily, the casting can't (unless one grinds them off). I read a post here one time that said an engine builder stamped the wrong numbers on the pad after rebuild, and told the client to just take a belt sander to it and re do it!
I would not worry about the stamp pad numbers and if it was stolen, you probably would have known about it by now. BTW, I've been told that my engine was a truck engine too, as that's what they did in the '70's. I'd rather think it was a '70 LT1 block with smog heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Enjoy your car!
My opinion is that your block was probably decked and someone tried to stamp whatever numbers they thought was correct for their truck at that time. The reworked stamp pad could be altered very easily, the casting can't (unless one grinds them off). I read a post here one time that said an engine builder stamped the wrong numbers on the pad after rebuild, and told the client to just take a belt sander to it and re do it!
I would not worry about the stamp pad numbers and if it was stolen, you probably would have known about it by now. BTW, I've been told that my engine was a truck engine too, as that's what they did in the '70's. I'd rather think it was a '70 LT1 block with smog heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Enjoy your car!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
The casting number is: 3970010 (69-75, 350). The date code casting is: K-12 (Nov 1, 72). So far this makes sense but here is the problem. The stamped code on the block forward of the passenger head is: C511119755 K1182 TXB. In all of my research, I learned the first letter indicates the engine assembly plant. I can't find a C that relates to a GM engine plant.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
The series of numbers starting with the "C" is the VIN derivative, stamped at the assembly plant where the truck was built (in this case, it says Chevy truck, 1975, built at Oshawa, Ontario, Canada). The other number, K1182TXB (which is probably K1122TXB), says the block was cast, machined, and assembled at McKinnon Industries (Canada). I'd take another look at the block casting date. At any rate, it's a 350 out of a 1975 Chevy truck, and both the engine and the truck were made in Canada.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
Engine Serial Numbers
Thanks Guys,
I appreciate your comments and expecially the knowledge passed that was passed on. The engine assembly in Canada makes sense since I purchased this car in Niagara Falls, NY and the previous owner stated the car came from Canada. I am simply curious about a vehicle's history and want to document whatever I can for the next owner should I ever sell.
You gotta love this forum.
I appreciate your comments and expecially the knowledge passed that was passed on. The engine assembly in Canada makes sense since I purchased this car in Niagara Falls, NY and the previous owner stated the car came from Canada. I am simply curious about a vehicle's history and want to document whatever I can for the next owner should I ever sell.
You gotta love this forum.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
