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Engine ID please

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Old Aug 20, 2007 | 08:00 PM
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Default Engine ID please

I have a replacement short block with a stamp pad CE3A8463 and casting number 3970010 (350ci). This is a dated replacement block in my 65 coupe. Heads are 3991492 15 h190 lt side and w153 right side doubble hump. Has a mechanical cam, solid lifters, guide plates, rockers with approximately .016 lash (cold). I know the intake, carb, oil pan are from the original 327 block 365 SHP motor that the car was originally. I am trying to determine if this would be a 350/350 motor? 350/365? Or ??? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

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Old Aug 20, 2007 | 08:13 PM
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It's pretty much going to be impossible to determine exactly what you have. Are you sure the fourth digit is an "A"? Usually, the numbers that start after the CE and the 3rd digit (which designates the year) is a serial number for the engine and ranged from 20000 to 79999.
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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Yes, the numbers are correct. There is a space between the 4 and 6, then another space between the 6 and 3. Looks like this: CE3A84 6 3
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 08:51 PM
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There is no way to tell what that engine is without dissasembly. You can get a better guess if you look at the rear crankshaft flange. 327 looks different than a 350.

-Mark.
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Kensmith
Yes, the numbers are correct. There is a space between the 4 and 6, then another space between the 6 and 3. Looks like this: CE3A84 6 3

Something doesn't look right there. Here's what I'm refering to:
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 09:12 PM
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No way to know without tearing it apart.

If the Vette that this engine originally went into had the hi-perf 350 (L46, LT1, L82, etc) then this engine would be the same.

If the Vette had the base engine, then that is what they would have put in it, nothing more nothing less.
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by stingr69
There is no way to tell what that engine is without dissasembly. You can get a better guess if you look at the rear crankshaft flange. 327 looks different than a 350.

-Mark.
Block is a 350 as the casting number is 3970010.
Old Aug 20, 2007 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by wfo76
No way to know without tearing it apart.

If the Vette that this engine originally went into had the hi-perf 350 (L46, LT1, L82, etc) then this engine would be the same.

If the Vette had the base engine, then that is what they would have put in it, nothing more nothing less.
The vette was a 327 365 SHP. The motor is a replacement 1973 350 block and heads. I was thinking since the original motor was a 327/365 with mechanical cam, this would be a 350/350 hydraulic since I do not hear any lifters and has a nice lopey sounding cam. The car is a 1965. I was looking here with the C3's to see if anyone would have some ideas since you guys know about the 350ci motors.
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Old Aug 20, 2007 | 11:23 PM
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This engine was built at least 8 years later than your car. It is not a direct warranty replacement for this particular car, if that's your assumption.

Who knows what it was originally built for and when it actually found it's way into your car. There is no way you can expect anyone to have a clue what's inside.
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 12:24 AM
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Pull the valve covers and get the casting numbers for the heads. That will tell you more about what they are.
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 03:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Kensmith
Block is a 350 as the casting number is 3970010.
The engine was supplied through the parts counter one way or another back in '73. There is no way to tell anything about it without tearing more parts off. It might be a large journal 327 built for service. It might be a base 350 engine originaly supplied to a station wagon under warranty back in '73 that made it into the Vette at some later date. We do know it was not a warranty replacement for this car so it could be anything. A lot of things cound have happened to it over the last 35 years so it is anyones guess what it is at this point without opening it up.

You could mount a dial indicator on the pushrod and check the cam lift/duration. That would tell you something about it. Quick and easy if you have the tools. The base "929" cam is lower lift than a "962" 350/350 cam, and the "182" cam has more duration @ .050" than the "962".

I will tell you a 350/350 has a very slightly noticeable idle. Not what I would quite describe as a "lope". I doubt anyone would notice unless you were side by side with a base engine and could hear them individualy.

-Mark.
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by stingr69
The engine was supplied through the parts counter one way or another back in '73. There is no way to tell anything about it without tearing more parts off. It might be a large journal 327 built for service. It might be a base 350 engine originaly supplied to a station wagon under warranty back in '73 that made it into the Vette at some later date. We do know it was not a warranty replacement for this car so it could be anything. A lot of things cound have happened to it over the last 35 years so it is anyones guess what it is at this point without opening it up.

You could mount a dial indicator on the pushrod and check the cam lift/duration. That would tell you something about it. Quick and easy if you have the tools. The base "929" cam is lower lift than a "962" 350/350 cam, and the "182" cam has more duration @ .050" than the "962".

I will tell you a 350/350 has a very slightly noticeable idle. Not what I would quite describe as a "lope". I doubt anyone would notice unless you were side by side with a base engine and could hear them individualy.

-Mark.

Mark,

Thanks for the information. The cam lope is very noticable and people think it is a 327/350hp motor. The casting numbers on the block are for a 350ci motor. The heads are either the over counter 64cc or LT1 per the casting number. I will check the cam lift. I would be very suprised if the engine was anything less than a 350/350 as this was an original 327/365 car documented. Still had original SHP parts. Correct Holley, aluminum intake, 6 qt oil pan, correct tach, 80lb oil pressure guage, 4.11 rear end, muncie M21, etc.

Thanks,

Ken
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:30 AM
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Poke around on this website under various years. It may be some help. 3970010 is a 350, but I guess you already know that. Good luck.

http://www.rowleycorvette.com/vettestats.html

Last edited by xCCTer; Aug 21, 2007 at 10:34 AM.
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 10:33 AM
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Ken, using the block casting numbers alone, this is what that block came in..
350..1969 to 1980, 2 or 4 bolt main.
327..1969, 2 bolt, truck industrail
302..1969,4 bolt, Z-28 camaro.
Your saying its a 73 block..ok, its a 2 or 4 bolt 350.There is no way of telling what it came out of by block casting numbers alone. Thats what the engine pad is for.
My guess is that they bought a 350 short block, cammed it up,put the old "good stuff" back on it and had a good time driving a fast vette.
You have got to take off the valve covers and post the numbers to tell where they came from and what they are.
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by LB66383
...Pull the valve covers and get the casting numbers for the heads....
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ghoastrider1
Ken, using the block casting numbers alone, this is what that block came in..
350..1969 to 1980, 2 or 4 bolt main.
327..1969, 2 bolt, truck industrail
302..1969,4 bolt, Z-28 camaro.
Your saying its a 73 block..ok, its a 2 or 4 bolt 350.There is no way of telling what it came out of by block casting numbers alone. Thats what the engine pad is for.
My guess is that they bought a 350 short block, cammed it up,put the old "good stuff" back on it and had a good time driving a fast vette.
You have got to take off the valve covers and post the numbers to tell where they came from and what they are.
The car is in the shop getting a rebuilt rear end installed and Tremec TKO 600. I had the casting numbers at one time and believe they were for the over the counter or LT1 heads. But I will check when I get the car back as I am curious as to what the motor is. I am also considering replacing the heads if they are not the LT1's. May have to pull them to tell. I know the block is a 73 from the casting date. 1 8 3

Thanks,

Ken
Old Aug 21, 2007 | 09:57 PM
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numbers aside, sounds like you have a very nice package there.

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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by ghoastrider1
numbers aside, sounds like you have a very nice package there.
Thanks, yes, on it's way to be a nice driver
Old Oct 6, 2007 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by ghoastrider1
Ken, using the block casting numbers alone, this is what that block came in..
350..1969 to 1980, 2 or 4 bolt main.
327..1969, 2 bolt, truck industrail
302..1969,4 bolt, Z-28 camaro.
Your saying its a 73 block..ok, its a 2 or 4 bolt 350.There is no way of telling what it came out of by block casting numbers alone. Thats what the engine pad is for.
My guess is that they bought a 350 short block, cammed it up,put the old "good stuff" back on it and had a good time driving a fast vette.
You have got to take off the valve covers and post the numbers to tell where they came from and what they are.
Ok, have all the numbers now.

Heads: left castings numbers GM51, 399 92, 15, h190. Right casting numbers: GM53, 3991492, 15, w153. Both have factory style rockers and springs with umbrellas. Also guide plates. Lash cold is .015 inch. I thought these were hydraulic but guess wrong. With sidepipes, couldn't hear any clattering. Block is 3970010, 1 8 3, pad: CE3A8463 1973 350CI replacement block. Any good guesses on type of heads and possible cam? Has a lopy idle. Heads LT-1 ???

Last edited by Kensmith; Oct 6, 2007 at 07:39 PM.
Old Oct 6, 2007 | 06:42 PM
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I can't believe none of you C3 guys can't figure this one out? Gotta have some kind of idea what this motor is? My guess is a 350/350 but if it's a solid lifter cam, ???? I thought the 350/350 had a hydraulic cam.



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