C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help Decoding an Engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2006 | 11:50 PM
  #1  
nvr-enuf's Avatar
nvr-enuf
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: West Bend WI
Default 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
Old Jul 26, 2006 | 11:51 PM
  #2  
nvr-enuf's Avatar
nvr-enuf
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: West Bend WI
Default Engine decod

Forgot to state, it is a 4 bolt main
Old Jul 27, 2006 | 12:13 AM
  #3  
LittleJake's Avatar
LittleJake
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Default

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???

Last edited by LittleJake; Jul 27, 2006 at 12:16 AM.
Old Jul 27, 2006 | 12:42 AM
  #4  
ljthe2nd's Avatar
ljthe2nd
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Default

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

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.
Old Jul 27, 2006 | 08:04 AM
  #5  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

All engine codes I've seen with X are from a truck. You sure it's XCH?
Old Jul 27, 2006 | 08:09 AM
  #6  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

My Chevrolet V-8 Engine Guide Book does not list an XCH code. It lists XC and XH, but no XCH. The XC is a smallblock. The XH is a 1968 396CID truck block.
Old Jul 27, 2006 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
nvr-enuf's Avatar
nvr-enuf
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: West Bend WI
Default

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
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 11:27 PM
  #8  
alaskacorvette's Avatar
alaskacorvette
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks Alaska
Default HCH suffix

I stumbled across that suffix on the yenko website-I think. Chevelle site also. One site says LS6, one says LS7. Who knows? Good luck! Jim.
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 8, 2023 | 11:02 AM
  #9  
Shaker14's Avatar
Shaker14
1st Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by nvr-enuf
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
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?
Old Apr 8, 2023 | 12:53 PM
  #10  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,845
Likes: 9,288
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

5XC is a 85 454 and 2XC is a 1982 marine motor. the H could stand for Holley carb.
Old Apr 8, 2023 | 05:44 PM
  #11  
vettebuyer6369's Avatar
vettebuyer6369
Administrator
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Default

Originally Posted by Shaker14
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?
Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
5XC is a 85 454 and 2XC is a 1982 marine motor. the H could stand for Holley carb.
Asking the OP for an update likely wont be successful; he hasnt logged on in 3 years.

17 years later, probably time for a new thread.

Get notified of new replies

To Help Decoding an Engine





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:11 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE