Engine identification..?
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
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Engine identification..?
Hey guys. My father has a 1957 Bel air that has been sitting in his garage since I was born. Recently my brother and I have been putting pressure on him to restore it and we have been told by someone that the engine in it might be a corvette engine.
All we know is that the engine was replaced and it is a 350 Chevy V8. The car was bought in 1981 so the engine is an '80 or older.
I was wondering where on the engine I should be looking for any markings that might tell me if it is out of a vette or otherwise.
thanks, here is a picture if that helps and if you need anymore info I'll try and provide it.
All we know is that the engine was replaced and it is a 350 Chevy V8. The car was bought in 1981 so the engine is an '80 or older.
I was wondering where on the engine I should be looking for any markings that might tell me if it is out of a vette or otherwise.
thanks, here is a picture if that helps and if you need anymore info I'll try and provide it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
First two things I would check is the VIN on the front passenger side of the block. I see your pad but I cannot make out if there is a number there or not in your picture. Is it there or is it missing? Second and more feasible place to look is the back of the block for the casting number. Look for a GM and a seven digit number such as 3970010, 333882, 333881. Post that number and we can help you try to identify where the block was used. Take some more pics of the car too please? There are more places, but that is where I would start.
77Sleeper
77Sleeper
Last edited by AllC34Me; Sep 11, 2008 at 10:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Watkins Glen NY
http://www.nastyz28.com/index.php?page=smallblockchevy
http://www.mortec.com
Here are two good sites to help you ID the block, heads, etc.
http://www.mortec.com
Here are two good sites to help you ID the block, heads, etc.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2008
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Thanks for the fast response. It was dark but i managed to get a shot of the casting number. this is what is read:
391980 3
GM 4
You asked for more pics, did you mean the exterior of the car? The engine looks like sh*t but the car had a paint job in '89 (garaged since then) and besides for a thin layer of dirt on it looks good. It's to dark now but I can have them tomorrow if you like.
391980 3
GM 4
You asked for more pics, did you mean the exterior of the car? The engine looks like sh*t but the car had a paint job in '89 (garaged since then) and besides for a thin layer of dirt on it looks good. It's to dark now but I can have them tomorrow if you like.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I just did a quick search through the Corvette Black Book and looked at every block casting number used from 1953 through 1981 and there is no number matching your cast number, at least not for the Corvette. I'll try some other searches to see what I can find but it does not appear to be a Corvette engine.
More soon.
David
More soon.
David
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The engine casting number is located driver side, very rear, behind the head, facing upward. May look like 3970010 ... ????
Directly opposite that, behind the distributor, is the casting date. May look like B209 ... ??
Front of the engine, passenger side, between the head and the block is a "ledge" or "pad". Very carefully (until you know what you have ..) take some thinner and soft rag and clean the pad, to see if there are any numbers. The pad, in your picture, is located right next to the upper heater hose.
Good luck ...
Last edited by FrankVincent; Sep 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM.
Senior Member
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I believe this is the number on your intake manifold and not the casting number on the block itself, correct? If that is true then this is what I have learned about your number.
3919803 327 68 250/275/325/350HP, Corvette, Chevy II, Chevelle, Cast Iron
3919803 350 68 295HP, Camaro, Cast Iron
So I may stand corrected, it could be from a 68 Corvette after all. See if you can find the number 3914678 on the back of the block near the firewall tomorrow when it is lighter outside. If you do then you potentially have a 327 Cu In 300 or 350 hp Corvette engine. More areas to check but see if you can locate that casting number on the block itself.
If anyone else out there sees this differently please chime in.
Thanks.
David
77Sleeper
3919803 327 68 250/275/325/350HP, Corvette, Chevy II, Chevelle, Cast Iron
3919803 350 68 295HP, Camaro, Cast Iron
So I may stand corrected, it could be from a 68 Corvette after all. See if you can find the number 3914678 on the back of the block near the firewall tomorrow when it is lighter outside. If you do then you potentially have a 327 Cu In 300 or 350 hp Corvette engine. More areas to check but see if you can locate that casting number on the block itself.
If anyone else out there sees this differently please chime in.
Thanks.
David
77Sleeper
Senior Member
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
That's your exhaust manifold number ...
The engine casting number is located driver side, very rear, behind the head, facing upward. May look like 3970010 ... ????
Directly opposite that, behind the distributor, is the casting date. May look like B209 ... ??
Front of the engine, passenger side, between the head and the block is a "ledge" or "pad". Very carefully (until you know what you have ..) take some thinner and soft rag and clean the pad, to see if there are any numbers. The pad, in your picture, is located right next to the upper heater hose.
Good luck ...
The engine casting number is located driver side, very rear, behind the head, facing upward. May look like 3970010 ... ????
Directly opposite that, behind the distributor, is the casting date. May look like B209 ... ??
Front of the engine, passenger side, between the head and the block is a "ledge" or "pad". Very carefully (until you know what you have ..) take some thinner and soft rag and clean the pad, to see if there are any numbers. The pad, in your picture, is located right next to the upper heater hose.
Good luck ...
Well stated. I see his pad in the picture but not clearly enough to tell. Can't wait to hear what he may have there.Cheers.
David
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Burning Brakes
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From: Lincoln NE Riding and Driving Corvettes since 1967.
Yeah, post pics of the car - Love 57 chevys also!!!
Looks to be an original V-8 car - the radiator is on the correct side of the core support.
bigredbrad
Last edited by bigredbrad; Sep 12, 2008 at 09:21 AM. Reason: correct spelling
Thread Starter
6th Gear
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HaHa i feel like an idiot now. You guys are correct it is the intake manifold, i saw the number there and just focused on getting a shot of that not thinking.
Thanks for the help. I just tried to locate the casting number but no luck. guess I'm waiting till tomorrow
Thanks for the help. I just tried to locate the casting number but no luck. guess I'm waiting till tomorrow
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
HaHa i feel like an idiot now. You guys are correct it is the intake manifold, i saw the number there and just focused on getting a shot of that not thinking.
Thanks for the help. I just tried to locate the casting number but no luck. guess I'm waiting till tomorrow
Thanks for the help. I just tried to locate the casting number but no luck. guess I'm waiting till tomorrow
I know, you tried to fool this old guy didn't you? It almost worked.
Well actually it did work, but I'll never tell.
Can't wait to see what you find tomorrow.
Best regards,
David
Senior Member
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thread Starter
6th Gear
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I'm glad people are interested in this. I'm getting really excited over here, especially from the suspense of having to wait till tomorrow after class.
I know that engine looks like it has been buried under ground for the past 20 years but it starts right up and runs really smooth. It's gonna be a fun project regardless the engine.
I know that engine looks like it has been buried under ground for the past 20 years but it starts right up and runs really smooth. It's gonna be a fun project regardless the engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
I'm glad people are interested in this. I'm getting really excited over here, especially from the suspense of having to wait till tomorrow after class.
I know that engine looks like it has been buried under ground for the past 20 years but it starts right up and runs really smooth. It's gonna be a fun project regardless the engine.
I know that engine looks like it has been buried under ground for the past 20 years but it starts right up and runs really smooth. It's gonna be a fun project regardless the engine.
Here is a good pic showing you where to look for the casting number and casting date. I don't think it's a Corvette engine however. The numbers may be in slightly different locations and probably hidden under a few years of grime.
Senior Member
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks a bunch.
David
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Yeah man feel free to use it any way you like, I don't mind at all if it's helping you or someone else.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Coldbrook Nova Scotia
If it has the Camal HUMP/bump heads then it,s likely the higher HP rated motor ,however those look like the lo-pow heads with the two "smoke" stacks. check under the valve cover and look up the number at Mortec..Good luck i hope it is the higher Hp 327!!!
Race Director
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Not to pour cold water on this, but almost every old car I've seen that's had a motor transplant was claimed to have a 'Corvette' motor.
I suppose it makes good hype and makes the car sound exotic. Very few of these claims are legit.
I see nothing on your engine that is unique to a Corvette motor of the era. The valve covers appear to be pre-68 config.
Only the stamp pad info will tell the tale.
I suppose it makes good hype and makes the car sound exotic. Very few of these claims are legit.
I see nothing on your engine that is unique to a Corvette motor of the era. The valve covers appear to be pre-68 config.
Only the stamp pad info will tell the tale.
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Not to pour cold water on this, but almost every old car I've seen that's had a motor transplant was claimed to have a 'Corvette' motor.
I suppose it makes good hype and makes the car sound exotic. Very few of these claims are legit.
I see nothing on your engine that is unique to a Corvette motor of the era. The valve covers appear to be pre-68 config.
Only the stamp pad info will tell the tale.
I suppose it makes good hype and makes the car sound exotic. Very few of these claims are legit.
I see nothing on your engine that is unique to a Corvette motor of the era. The valve covers appear to be pre-68 config.
Only the stamp pad info will tell the tale.
It's gotta be old though, it's got the oil fill tube in the front. When did they stop that? 1965?Yank that biatch and drop in a Big Block.