Conflicting numbers on engine
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Conflicting numbers on engine
The PO of my 72 didn't have any background on my engine except that it was race built and was out of the car on an engine stand when I bought the car. He said that all he knew was that the engine was started and test run but never installed . The numbers on the engine are Casting #3970014 Code CKW which both would indicate a 72 but the date on the back of the engine is A-29-70 Everything points to it being a 72 engine except the date A-29-70 According to my NCRS pocket spec guide the only year they used the casting# 3970014 was for 1972 350 engines. It says that this block appears on later production 1972 350's. My car was built May 23 1972. Anybody know what all of this means? Could it be a block that was cast in 1970 but not installed in corvettes until the 1972 models ? All of this doesn't make sense.
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The first reference check I made showed 0014 cast engines available in Chevrolets from 1970-1975.
Without more info, my first guess is the fact that your casting date is a Tonawanda build (70, 2 digits,) rather than a Flint ("0" one digit) suggesting the engine is a 1970 Chevy, non-Corvette engine.
I am not sure if 1970 cars used 0, I know they did use 9 in 69. Just a guess.
Without more info, my first guess is the fact that your casting date is a Tonawanda build (70, 2 digits,) rather than a Flint ("0" one digit) suggesting the engine is a 1970 Chevy, non-Corvette engine.
I am not sure if 1970 cars used 0, I know they did use 9 in 69. Just a guess.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
I know of 3 different engines that used the CKW code. A base L-48, 350 4bbl, with a 4 speed in 1972 Corvettes; an L-65 350 2 bbl, with an automatic in 73 Camaros and Chevelles, and as a base L-48, 350 4 bbl with a 4 speed in 1976 Corvettes. The was no CKW used in 1970.
The "014" was commonly used in 1970-73 Camaros, built at the Van Nuys CA plant. Most 72 Corvettes used the "010" block, though supposedly, some 72's did use the 014, late in the production run.
Are you sure you read the casting date, casting number and stamping correctly? Sometimes they can be hard to read.
Is it possible that Chevrolet had an old casting laying around, and used it later, sure but it's highly unlikely. Is it possible that someone restamped a block for a base motor 72, yeah believe it or not, it is.
Besides the "CKW", what else is on the stamp pad? The engine plant code, assembly date and VIN derivative, will all help to possibly identify the engine.
The "014" was commonly used in 1970-73 Camaros, built at the Van Nuys CA plant. Most 72 Corvettes used the "010" block, though supposedly, some 72's did use the 014, late in the production run.
Are you sure you read the casting date, casting number and stamping correctly? Sometimes they can be hard to read.
Is it possible that Chevrolet had an old casting laying around, and used it later, sure but it's highly unlikely. Is it possible that someone restamped a block for a base motor 72, yeah believe it or not, it is.
Besides the "CKW", what else is on the stamp pad? The engine plant code, assembly date and VIN derivative, will all help to possibly identify the engine.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I know of 3 different engines that used the CKW code. A base L-48, 350 4bbl, with a 4 speed in 1972 Corvettes; an L-65 350 2 bbl, with an automatic in 73 Camaros and Chevelles, and as a base L-48, 350 4 bbl with a 4 speed in 1976 Corvettes. The was no CKW used in 1970.
The "014" was commonly used in 1970-73 Camaros, built at the Van Nuys CA plant. Most 72 Corvettes used the "010" block, though supposedly, some 72's did use the 014, late in the production run.
Are you sure you read the casting date, casting number and stamping correctly? Sometimes they can be hard to read.
Is it possible that Chevrolet had an old casting laying around, and used it later, sure but it's highly unlikely. Is it possible that someone restamped a block for a base motor 72, yeah believe it or not, it is.
Besides the "CKW", what else is on the stamp pad? The engine plant code, assembly date and VIN derivative, will all help to possibly identify the engine.
The "014" was commonly used in 1970-73 Camaros, built at the Van Nuys CA plant. Most 72 Corvettes used the "010" block, though supposedly, some 72's did use the 014, late in the production run.
Are you sure you read the casting date, casting number and stamping correctly? Sometimes they can be hard to read.
Is it possible that Chevrolet had an old casting laying around, and used it later, sure but it's highly unlikely. Is it possible that someone restamped a block for a base motor 72, yeah believe it or not, it is.
Besides the "CKW", what else is on the stamp pad? The engine plant code, assembly date and VIN derivative, will all help to possibly identify the engine.
