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would you have to do some sanding to see them if engine was redone?
If the engine was rebuilt and the block decked, good chance the numbers are gone unless the shop was careful to not machine them away.
If they are there, you'd still see them even if painted over.
would you have to do some sanding to see them if engine was redone?
If you mean rebuilt by saying the engine was "redone"....they may not be there at all.... if the motor was "decked" or machined.
If, this is the case.... the numbers would have been removed.
Now, if the motor was not decked, and just a normal rebuild, with no machining the numbers should be there. A light wire brushing should expose them if they have been painted over....you only need a tooth brush size wire brush to bring them to light / readable condition. Laquer thinner or other chemical paint remover can be utilized....but be very careful if you choose this route. These chemicals can weaken and harm your head gaskets and water pump gaskets, hose's etc... if you are not careful or get sloppy with them. In addition, if this particular car does not have A/C, you should be able to easily reach the front pad and wire brush it to read the numbers. You will have two number's...the Vin # and the suffix #. Match them up the best you can and do a search here on the CF for more info if you get hung up deciphering the numbers, or just repost what you find here and I am sure it will / can be de-coded for you.
Hi PM,
I believe you're looking for something that looks like this.
Following Greggs desciption.... one set of digits & letters describe this engine and when it was built, and the other set describes what car this engine was installed in.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thank you i believe I have a different engine in this baby for there are no #s @ that location.
Sound to me like your engine has gone through some machining. What is the casting number on the block(behind the engine/cylinder head on the driver side)?
Dont know about that for there is no pad of that sort in the position where it is supposed to be, there is sort of like a square a little lower on the block but no #s, so I figure it may be a replacement gm engine, it sure does run good though,drove 680 miles with no problemos....
Dont know about that for there is no pad of that sort in the position where it is supposed to be, there is sort of like a square a little lower on the block but no #s, so I figure it may be a replacement gm engine, it sure does run good though,drove 680 miles with no problemos....
What are the block numbers on the block behind the heads next to the bellhousing flange? Should be one set of cast in numbers on each side of the engine behind each head.
What are the block numbers on the block behind the heads next to the bellhousing flange? Should be one set of cast in numbers on each side of the engine behind each head.
if your looking @ the car the #s on the left are L813 and the #s on the right are 3970010
if your looking @ the car the #s on the left are L813 and the #s on the right are 3970010
I am going to take a guess here and say that the "8" you are reading is actually a "3".
If, this is true, than your motor was cast in Saginaw, MI on Dec. 31, 1973. Based on this info and the block casting number it is a 350 cubic inch engine having a HP displacement of either 195 or 250.
I question my finding's because this would be New Year's Eve 1973-1974...and would have been a holiday for all UAW members.
Its either that or the "1" you are reading is a "7" making this a Tonawanda motor cast on Dec. 8, 1973....this would make it a non-corvette motor.
Please double check the number's and re-post. Or, if another member here can chime in on these number's I am all ears.
Stay in tune...
Last edited by GREGG-73; May 16, 2010 at 05:20 PM.
Hi Gregg,
You raised an interesting Holiday point.
My 71's engine engine was cast on the twi-light shift of New Year's Eve in 1970. I've read that this had to do with using the furnaces when they were 'ready' and in sequence.
If you look carefuly at the rear flange where the casting number and date are there is also a 'pointer' to point at a 'D', a 'T', or an 'N' and a 'clock' with a pointer to show what hour of the shift the block was cast.
BIG FUN!
Regards,
Alan
Hi Gregg,
You raised an interesting Holiday point.
My 71's engine engine was cast on the twi-light shift of New Year's Eve in 1970. I've read that this had to do with using the furnaces when they were 'ready' and in sequence.
If you look carefuly at the rear flange where the casting number and date are there is also a 'pointer' to point at a 'D', a 'T', or an 'N' and a 'clock' with a pointer to show what hour of the shift the block was cast.
BIG FUN!
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan,
But, without reliable information and / or photos it is hard to say. I am betting its a non corvette Tonawanda motor.
I am going to take a guess here and say that the "8" you are reading is actually a "3".
If, this is true, than your motor was cast in Saginaw, MI on Dec. 31, 1973. Based on this info and the block casting number it is a 350 cubic inch engine having a HP displacement of either 195 or 250.
I question my finding's because this would be New Year's Eve 1973-1974...and would have been a holiday for all UAW members.
Its either that or the "1" you are reading is a "7" making this a Tonawanda motor cast on Dec. 8, 1973....this would make it a non-corvette motor.
Please double check the number's and re-post. Or, if another member here can chime in on these number's I am all ears.
Stay in tune...
looking over the #s again very closely they are as stated and looking @ the time it was cast, that would be daylight @ 9:00 a.m
Hi Gregg,
I agree, I was just posting the 'Holiday' info because I think it's a bit of a surprise and amusing.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Did you work for GM in Delaware?
Alan,
No,....... I was in the Balto., MD plant. I spent a few weeks in the Wilmington plant due to lay-off's and other non-descript reasons, but I have my time and retirement out of Baltimore. I had a shot at going to Bowling Green....but, with my Mother's ill health, I turned it down.
looking over the #s again very closely they are as stated and looking @ the time it was cast, that would be daylight @ 9:00 a.m
If, the numbers are correct as stated earlier...then I am sorry to say, I can be of no further assistance / help to you as they simply do not make sense (to me). Good luck...maybe another member here will chime in and have a explanation for you.....and I.