I know this question has probably been asked many times before but I have searched through some of the archives and still have the "what do I have" question. Follows is what I have found:

Front pad (below alternator) = V0318CNN (no set of secondary numbers)
Back of engine = 23GM, 3970010, C170.

VIN = 1Z37J4S427289

This is a 1974 but I do not believe it has the original engine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

3970010 is a sb casting number. This is probably the most common 4" bore SBC Block cast. It has been used in many different applications. made from 68 thru the late seventies

it is common for them to be vette motors.

thats all i got.lol

 

...I find "CNN" to be originally a 1970 350ci, 250hp, 2bb carb, TH350 out of a Chevelle, Nova, Camaro, El Camino.

...C170 should be March 17, 1970.

 

I have very little knowledge with cars so please excuse any stupid questions.

I have read many posts stating a second set of numbers will be on the pad, did that start in a later year that 1970 or is it because this is not a corvette engine?

Also I have been told by a couple of mechanics that the engine is very powerful (they weren't expecting it). Is there any way to find out if modifications have been made, or is there something I should be looking for? Is there anything special about this engine?

Thanks again for your input.

 

The last 6 digits of the VIN number (427289 in your case) would be stamp on the top right front corner of the block.

 

If you are talking about the pad just below the alternator the only numbers on it are V0318CNN.

 

That comment concerns me. The stamp pad is on the passanger side on the block in front of the head. The alternator should be on the drivers side. The a/c compressor, if equiped, would be on the passanger side.

 

Wait till nightfall...then git down in thar with your head and a flashlight! You'll see it betta!! Hope ya got a rubber neck!!!

 

Relax guys - The VIN derivative was stamped in other places. This one will be down on the rough cast surface near the bellhousing, close to the oil filter.

This happened at different times for different assembly plants. Norwood Ohio started doing it at a different time than LA for example but both of those assembly plants were doing this by the end of 1969. Finding a 1970 engine with the VIN derivative on the side of the block down by the oil filter for a mid-size car like this application would be the rule rather than the exception at that point in time.

The way this came to be was because of the alternator being in the way on certain models built after the long water pump design was implemented. The alternator was moved to the pasenger side cylinder head area on those models at that same time. Vettes were not included in this change as they still used the shorter water pump and drivers side alternator. The passenger side alternator blocked the pad on the fully assembled engines that were about to be installed into the cars so the VIN derivative stamping procedure required removal of the alternator - whack the pad with the gang stamp and a sledge hammer - then re-install the alternator on every mid sized vehicle. A time consuming process no doubt. In the interest of saving time and money, they started leaving the alternator in place and stamping the VIN derivative on the side of the block during the 1969 model year. It was much easier to get to and got the job done fast.

It will be hard to see down there without a good light and a clean surface but I bet you it IS there.

-Mark.

 

m8rixguy,
Curious. Have you checked the front of the block on the passenger side yet? I think it's there. According to your VIN number you should have an L48 engine. When you find the stamped number on the engine block, see if it matches up with your VIN number.


http://www.greatoldcars.com/corvette...01974-1980.htm

 

Thanks for the info stingr69. Unfortunately the more I research my vette the more I feel like a complete NOOB. I am going to get some ramps in the next couple days (with the side pipes I can't look from below), maybe I can use a mirror to look.

mitch123, the alternator is on the passenger side. So this isn't a 350 from a corvette. I will post the numbers from the block when I find them, though I guess it really doesn't matter at this point. The pic you uploaded with the "down there" is where I found the V0318CNN, but there are no other numbers listed because of the reasons stingr gave.

Thanks again for your help guys.