Odd engine serial number--what engine is this?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 365
Likes: 77
From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Odd engine serial number--what engine is this?
My '60 has motor casting number 3858180 which the Corvette Black Book states is a 1965 327, but also notes it's a "limited use" motor but not explaining what that means. Its serial number is odd--TI 029 FAH. Can anyone tell me the horsepower, etc., and where to find info? Tried many online engine decoder sites, but no luck.
________________________________________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
Last edited by Mike6811; Apr 26, 2016 at 11:09 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Closest I can come is FA used in 1969 on 327's. Sometimes an H is added to a two letter suffix indicating it came with a Holley carburetor however.
http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...s-suffix-5.php
Block lists as a 64-67 327, 250-300hp. so it probably wouldn't fit the above suffix.
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...s-suffix-5.php
Block lists as a 64-67 327, 250-300hp. so it probably wouldn't fit the above suffix.
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Apr 26, 2016 at 11:19 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
My '60 has motor casting number 3858180 which the Corvette Black Book states is a 1965 327, but also notes it's a "limited use" motor but not explaining what that means. Its serial number is odd--TI 029 FAH. Can anyone tell me the horsepower, etc., and where to find info? Tried many online engine decoder sites, but no luck.
________________________________________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
10 29 = Oct 29 assembly date
I didn't check the FA part of the assembly suffix, but often times an H was added to indicate Holley carburetor.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
Most Chevrolet engines were made at either Flint MI or Tonawanda NY.
Corvette small blocks were all cast and assembled at the Flint engine plant. The exception was for a couple weeks in 65, when there was a strike at the Flint foundry. A few Tonawanda 327 blocks were sent to Flint for machining and assembly. These are the 180 blocks that are listed as "limited use".
Blocks assembled at Flint prior to 67, can be identified by a "F" prefix on the stamp pad, while Tonawanda used a "T" prefix. The limited use 180 blocks had a "F" prefix, since they were cast at Tonawanda, but assembled at Flint.
The T prefix in your engine stamping, identify's your engine as a passenger car 327, because it was assembled at Tonawanda. I029 is the engine's assembly date, October 29th (I was often substituted for a 1). The 180 was used for both 250 and 300 horse passenger car 327's, from 64-67.
The FAH I don't know about. There were no suffix codes that began with an "F", during the time the 180 block was in use. About the closest thing I can find is "EA", which is a 65 327/250 with a manual trans in Nova's and Chevelle's. I agree with the others here about an "H" indicating a Holley carb, but the 327/250 came with a Carter WCFB?
What's the casting date on the back of the block?
Corvette small blocks were all cast and assembled at the Flint engine plant. The exception was for a couple weeks in 65, when there was a strike at the Flint foundry. A few Tonawanda 327 blocks were sent to Flint for machining and assembly. These are the 180 blocks that are listed as "limited use".
Blocks assembled at Flint prior to 67, can be identified by a "F" prefix on the stamp pad, while Tonawanda used a "T" prefix. The limited use 180 blocks had a "F" prefix, since they were cast at Tonawanda, but assembled at Flint.
The T prefix in your engine stamping, identify's your engine as a passenger car 327, because it was assembled at Tonawanda. I029 is the engine's assembly date, October 29th (I was often substituted for a 1). The 180 was used for both 250 and 300 horse passenger car 327's, from 64-67.
The FAH I don't know about. There were no suffix codes that began with an "F", during the time the 180 block was in use. About the closest thing I can find is "EA", which is a 65 327/250 with a manual trans in Nova's and Chevelle's. I agree with the others here about an "H" indicating a Holley carb, but the 327/250 came with a Carter WCFB?
What's the casting date on the back of the block?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Double check the numbers and also check the casting date of the block.
I suspect that you will find a casting date that works for the 1966 model year, and a engine code something like TI029 EAH.
If so, that is a 1966 327, 275 hp installed in a Chevelle or El Camino, and equipped with a Holly carburetor.
Regarding the carburetor type being coded into the engine code, 1966 is the only year that I can confirm that was done.
It had to do with what intake manifold was installed on the engine.
If it really is TI029 FAH, then I am lost.
I suspect that you will find a casting date that works for the 1966 model year, and a engine code something like TI029 EAH.
If so, that is a 1966 327, 275 hp installed in a Chevelle or El Camino, and equipped with a Holly carburetor.
Regarding the carburetor type being coded into the engine code, 1966 is the only year that I can confirm that was done.
It had to do with what intake manifold was installed on the engine.
If it really is TI029 FAH, then I am lost.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 786
Likes: 15
From: Emporia, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, KS
Most Chevrolet engines were made at either Flint MI or Tonawanda NY.
Corvette small blocks were all cast and assembled at the Flint engine plant. The exception was for a couple weeks in 65, when there was a strike at the Flint foundry. A few Tonawanda 327 blocks were sent to Flint for machining and assembly. These are the 180 blocks that are listed as "limited use".
Blocks assembled at Flint prior to 67, can be identified by a "F" prefix on the stamp pad, while Tonawanda used a "T" prefix. The limited use 180 blocks had a "F" prefix, since they were cast at Tonawanda, but assembled at Flint.
The T prefix in your engine stamping, identify's your engine as a passenger car 327, because it was assembled at Tonawanda. I029 is the engine's assembly date, October 29th (I was often substituted for a 1). The 180 was used for both 250 and 300 horse passenger car 327's, from 64-67.
The FAH I don't know about. There were no suffix codes that began with an "F", during the time the 180 block was in use. About the closest thing I can find is "EA", which is a 65 327/250 with a manual trans in Nova's and Chevelle's. I agree with the others here about an "H" indicating a Holley carb, but the 327/250 came with a Carter WCFB?
What's the casting date on the back of the block?
Corvette small blocks were all cast and assembled at the Flint engine plant. The exception was for a couple weeks in 65, when there was a strike at the Flint foundry. A few Tonawanda 327 blocks were sent to Flint for machining and assembly. These are the 180 blocks that are listed as "limited use".
Blocks assembled at Flint prior to 67, can be identified by a "F" prefix on the stamp pad, while Tonawanda used a "T" prefix. The limited use 180 blocks had a "F" prefix, since they were cast at Tonawanda, but assembled at Flint.
The T prefix in your engine stamping, identify's your engine as a passenger car 327, because it was assembled at Tonawanda. I029 is the engine's assembly date, October 29th (I was often substituted for a 1). The 180 was used for both 250 and 300 horse passenger car 327's, from 64-67.
The FAH I don't know about. There were no suffix codes that began with an "F", during the time the 180 block was in use. About the closest thing I can find is "EA", which is a 65 327/250 with a manual trans in Nova's and Chevelle's. I agree with the others here about an "H" indicating a Holley carb, but the 327/250 came with a Carter WCFB?
What's the casting date on the back of the block?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
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If it was in a car, it should have a 7-8 serial number derivative also, not just the engine ID and assy date on the stamp pad.
Limited use may have been for a boat, or stationary use like a generator or some other odd usage.
Doug
Limited use may have been for a boat, or stationary use like a generator or some other odd usage.
Doug
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 365
Likes: 77
From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Many thanks for all who responded. Seems I might have a mild 327 installed. What can I do to the motor to give it the performance of my '66 327/300?
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Central Arkansas
Well, originally it was a 283 so even a mild 327 isn't bad. I don't think there was a lot of difference between the 327/275 and the 327/300 motors. I thought most of the difference was which car the basic motor was installed in and exhaust system restriction.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
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From: Huntsville AL
Legislation forced VIN derivatives on all major components (engine / transmission) by 1969, but VIN derivatives were not put on a lot of low to medium performance engines through the mid 1960s.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Many thanks for all who responded. Seems I might have a mild 327 installed. What can I do to the motor to give it the performance of my '66 327/300?
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If you really have a 327 block, the best place to start would be to have the 327/300 heads and carburetor.
What is on your engine now?
The '60 uses a 2" exhaust while the '66 used 2 1/2" pipes and mufflers but I don't think that will hurt you.
For the nit pickers............. Yeah, I know the '66 used 2" manifolds with 2 1/2" pipes.
Last edited by MikeM; Apr 27, 2016 at 10:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 365
Likes: 77
From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
Right now it has the 2x4 setup, but in a bad state of tune (just bought the car). But I'm concerned that even if I put an Edelbrock Performer and single 600 Edelbrock carb it still might not have the pep of the '66. Thinking of replacing the motor with a Crate 350/325 HP 291P while changing the radiator and adding Vintage Air.
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,901
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Right now it has the 2x4 setup, but in a bad state of tune (just bought the car). But I'm concerned that even if I put an Edelbrock Performer and single 600 Edelbrock carb it still might not have the pep of the '66. Thinking of replacing the motor with a Crate 350/325 HP 291P while changing the radiator and adding Vintage Air.
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
________________________________________ ____________
"Back to the wall goes Berra, it is...over the fence, homerun, the Pirates win!!"
Bill