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Engine block ID decoders, please help..

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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 04:49 PM
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Default Engine block ID decoders, please help..

Howdy all, happy Vets Day!

Finally getting around to the engine ID in my 72. Its a non-matching numbers car that im starting a body on restoration. I pulled the numbers off the block and wanted to see if anyone can help identify the history of this motor.

I have no clue what im looking at when it comes to block ID codes. The only thing i know is it doesnt match my car.

Any help would be appreciated for my history/progress of the restoration.

As it appears on the Block:
16D4 86 805
KO3 06 CMJ

i assume its a 350 and its painted orange so im confident its a GM motor. What else can anyone tell me about this block?
Thanks!
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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KO3 06 CMJ

K= cast and assembled at the McKinnon Industries, St. Catherines Ontario

0306= assembled on march 06. Year is not specified

CMJ 1974 350 t4OO police - 4bbl full size

or

CMJ 1980 305 automatic trans. H - - full size/Camaro

What's the casting number and date?
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 06:19 PM
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how or where do I find the casting number/date? Sorry, I am dumb when it comes to all facets of motors. So it's either a 74 350 from a full size truck...or a 305 from an 80 camaro? Wow, big difference in genetics there.
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 07:41 PM
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According to the NCRS Black Book:

Casting number is on the upper rear of the driver's side of the block near the flywheel attachment.

Casting date is at the rear passenger side of the block. It is a three or four characters, an alpha followed by two or three numeric. The alpha is the month. B129 would be Feb 12, 1959, 1969, 79, 89.
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Old Nov 11, 2008 | 09:47 PM
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well I. Will get a peak of those numbers tomorrow. As it's not the original motor, is it fairly easy to get new manifolds/headers and exhaust? The setup on the car now is far past prime. I'm used to ordering out of a catalog for the 02 as I know exactly what to get. Not being a corvette motors makes it difficult to order from mid America or some place similar
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Old Nov 12, 2008 | 08:10 AM
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You asked what car the motor originally came from. Withe casting date and number , someone can narrow it down to being a cop car engine or a Camaro 305

Since it has parted company with that vehicle, it may have been completely rebuilt and modified into who-knows-what configuration.

Someone may have transferred the majority of the original Corvette engine parts into the new motor or it could be some customised setup.

You're right that you can't just point and click at catalogues to find parts for it- lots of research will need to be done.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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Alright, finally got under the car to look for some numbers...the casting number i believe (from the drivers side by the firewall) is:
3970010 K 2

That is how it looks on the block. The last two numbers i believe are supposed to be at least part of the casting date. I scoured the rest of the block and could not find any further numbers. I hope this is enough data to help determine the motor; a 350 or or a 305? What can you all tell me? Thanks
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 04:51 PM
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sounds like a 72 or early 73 350engine to me.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 05:38 PM
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I have a 3970010 block in my car too but the pad on the right front is blank. Does that mean I have a replacement motor?
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 09:50 PM
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what year is your car derby? I have the numbers on my front pad and all I know is it doesn't match my VIN.
I just want to know the motor details so I can get the correct exhaust setup.
Fingers are crossed for a 350 but I want to know the history too.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by goatjacket
what year is your car derby? I have the numbers on my front pad and all I know is it doesn't match my VIN.
I just want to know the motor details so I can get the correct exhaust setup.
Fingers are crossed for a 350 but I want to know the history too.

I have a 350 auto.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by goatjacket
Alright, finally got under the car to look for some numbers...the casting number i believe (from the drivers side by the firewall) is:
3970010 K 2

That is how it looks on the block. The last two numbers i believe are supposed to be at least part of the casting date. I scoured the rest of the block and could not find any further numbers.
K 2 is not the casting date. The K is further confirmation of that you have a McKinnon block. As such, the casting date is not in the `normal location`, it`s on the right side of the block between two of the freeze plugs, probably upside down.

The 0010 block was not used in a 307 cu in config, so it`s probable that you have a 350.

I note that you are trying to get the correct exhaust system, which is confusing as it has nothing to do with casting numbers, dates, engine codes etc etc. of a replacement engine.

If you`re pointing and clicking in a catalogue, and NCRS correctness is out of the question, you would want to simply choose a system that the car would have come with.

Last edited by Mike Ward; Nov 16, 2008 at 06:04 PM.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 05:00 PM
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thanks for the info; point of fact, I only wanted to confirm it was a 350 block, therefore the search on block dates. Now that I can be sure it's a 350 I can shop for headers or exhaust manifolds if need be. Correct, block data has no concern with exhausts; I'm just curious as to the history of my motor. This is my first non matching numbers car. Thank you again for the all the help! Another example of this forums potential.
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Old Jan 23, 2009 | 12:49 PM
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Default I have same motor casting and symbols

If you are still looking.?
As far as I found out this block was made in St Catherines at the McKinnon Foundry and on early 70's castings they moved the suffix or vin number to the lower part of the block on the oil filter housing, the part that sticks out that is at a 90 degree for the block. It is written in there. I would take care trying to clean to get the numbers as I looked for mine and I think they are imprinted not cast in there. I still have to clean mine better to get them, maybe some brake cleaner and scuff pad?
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Old Jan 23, 2009 | 04:34 PM
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Hi

but the pad on the right front is blank. Does that mean I have a replacement motor?

Could also be decked. This is visible on the broach marks.
If those are kind of curved , slightly arced, it is decked.
Originals are straight lines longitudinal to the block.

Rgds. Gunther
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