Help Decoding an Engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: West Bend WI
Help Decoding an Engine
I am looking for a little help in decoding a high perf 454. Here is the following information that I was able to find on the engine / in the engine:
- Block Casting #3999289, I couldn't find a casting date on the passenger side of the block.
- Heads 6272990 date code K-8 or 6 - 72, GM2T (I believe these are square port heads
- Intake 3963569
-Pistons TRW 3228; Cylinder pressures are 225 to 240 PSI - this blows my mind since the highest I have ever seen is 195 psi. I am thinking this motor has 11.5 or higher to 1 compression
- Engine Stamp Pad; T0615XCH, note no car serial number stamped
- 7/16" connecting rod bolts
- Pink / Dimpled Rods
- Steel Crank
Could this motor be an LS6?
Any help in letting me know what I have is appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Scott
- Block Casting #3999289, I couldn't find a casting date on the passenger side of the block.
- Heads 6272990 date code K-8 or 6 - 72, GM2T (I believe these are square port heads
- Intake 3963569
-Pistons TRW 3228; Cylinder pressures are 225 to 240 PSI - this blows my mind since the highest I have ever seen is 195 psi. I am thinking this motor has 11.5 or higher to 1 compression
- Engine Stamp Pad; T0615XCH, note no car serial number stamped
- 7/16" connecting rod bolts
- Pink / Dimpled Rods
- Steel Crank
Could this motor be an LS6?
Any help in letting me know what I have is appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Cacsting 3999289 1972-78 454 2 or 4 215, 235, 240, 270, 2 bolt, car & truck
Heads 6272990 1970 454 Open 118cc service replacement mkIV
Couldnt find anything on the engine suffix, its not in any of my stuff.
T is Towanda plant
06 is month
15 is date
XCH should be the suffice? Maybe its XCE and its an engine replacement and thats why it doesnt have any VIN numbers???
Heads 6272990 1970 454 Open 118cc service replacement mkIV
Couldnt find anything on the engine suffix, its not in any of my stuff.
T is Towanda plant
06 is month
15 is date
XCH should be the suffice? Maybe its XCE and its an engine replacement and thats why it doesnt have any VIN numbers???
Last edited by LittleJake; Jul 27, 2006 at 12:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Originally Posted by LittleJake
Cacsting 3999289 1972-78 454 2 or 4 215, 235, 240, 270, 2 bolt, car & truck
Heads 6272990 1970 454 Open 118cc service replacement mkIV
Heads 6272990 1970 454 Open 118cc service replacement mkIV
This is the same info I keep coming up with, 4 different websites say 454 2 bolt main
Last edited by ljthe2nd; Jul 27, 2006 at 12:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: West Bend WI
I can look again, but the stampings are pretty clear.
Just for background, this motor is in a frame and I know for a fact that the car has not moved since 73 / 74. I took the pan off last night, I was shocked at how clean the inside of the motor was considering the car was in a barn w/ no air cleaner. By the look of it, it seems to met that the motor is a GM crate / replacement motor that someone just bought and put in. I can not find a date code on the engine though.
The cam is really radicle, and the compression is to the moon. I fogged the cylinders, changed the carb,oil, points condensor and the motor fired up which shocked me as well.
Thanks for your help, looks like I have an odd duck.
Scott
Just for background, this motor is in a frame and I know for a fact that the car has not moved since 73 / 74. I took the pan off last night, I was shocked at how clean the inside of the motor was considering the car was in a barn w/ no air cleaner. By the look of it, it seems to met that the motor is a GM crate / replacement motor that someone just bought and put in. I can not find a date code on the engine though.
The cam is really radicle, and the compression is to the moon. I fogged the cylinders, changed the carb,oil, points condensor and the motor fired up which shocked me as well.
Thanks for your help, looks like I have an odd duck.
Scott
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I am looking for a little help in decoding a high perf 454. Here is the following information that I was able to find on the engine / in the engine:
- Block Casting #3999289, I couldn't find a casting date on the passenger side of the block.
- Heads 6272990 date code K-8 or 6 - 72, GM2T (I believe these are square port heads
- Intake 3963569
-Pistons TRW 3228; Cylinder pressures are 225 to 240 PSI - this blows my mind since the highest I have ever seen is 195 psi. I am thinking this motor has 11.5 or higher to 1 compression
- Engine Stamp Pad; T0615XCH, note no car serial number stamped
- 7/16" connecting rod bolts
- Pink / Dimpled Rods
- Steel Crank
Could this motor be an LS6?
Any help in letting me know what I have is appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Scott
- Block Casting #3999289, I couldn't find a casting date on the passenger side of the block.
- Heads 6272990 date code K-8 or 6 - 72, GM2T (I believe these are square port heads
- Intake 3963569
-Pistons TRW 3228; Cylinder pressures are 225 to 240 PSI - this blows my mind since the highest I have ever seen is 195 psi. I am thinking this motor has 11.5 or higher to 1 compression
- Engine Stamp Pad; T0615XCH, note no car serial number stamped
- 7/16" connecting rod bolts
- Pink / Dimpled Rods
- Steel Crank
Could this motor be an LS6?
Any help in letting me know what I have is appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Scott
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,001
Likes: 6,214
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Hello nvr-enuf. Wondering if you found any details on this question?? I have the EXACT numbers on my newly acquired 1973 Corvette except the block stamp is T1212XCH. I couldnt find the xch suffix in any Chevy production motors and its very clear stamping. Is this an LS6 crate engine?
17 years later, probably time for a new thread.
