martin griffin

Can I get a little help with decoding my engine block? I'm debating weather to rebuild or replace with a crate engine for a 72 coupe. Not the original motor.14s469618

Easy Mike

You have posted the VIN derivative of the car the engine came from. There is a second number stamped on the pad. That number identifies the engine.

joewill

also post the engine block casting number and casting date that is cast into your block on the flange back behind your distributor.

martin griffin

can't quite make that number out all the way. Starts V11130??

martin griffin

3970010

EarlyC34me

That is the casting number

Dynra Rockets

The question marks are the important part. They are called the "suffix"

Easy Mike

Take another look. What you can't make out is the engine suffix code. It will be a C and two more letters.

emccomas

Or possibly a T followed by two more letters.

We can already tell the following from 14s469618

1 = Chevrolet
4 = 1974 (my assumption on year)
S = St. Louis assembly plant
4 = check digit
69618 = 69, 618th vehicle off of the line.

Now, in 1974 St. Louis was producing Corvettes and Trucks.

Chevrolet did not make that many Corvettes in 1974 (1974 Corvette production was 37,502 vehicles)

So, I suspect that this is a truck engine.

However, the last comment from the OP

V11130??

doesn't make sense.

V = Flint
11 = November
13 = 13th
0 = ??? (unless this is actually the letter C instead of an 0)

martin griffin

thanks for all your help guys, looking closer it may be a C instead of an O, the last two are impossible to make out. I believe it is a corvette motor because it has all the shielding brackets attached. So now the only problem, to rebuild or a crate ?

cv67

just rebuild it once you pull the original it will probably never make its way back in the car again.It lasted this long, rebuilt should last many more

Easy Mike

The VIN derivative is for a 1974 Corvette.

emccomas

Which 1974 Corvette is this VIN derivative for?

Unless to OP recorded the wrong VIN derivative, this is for the 69,618th vehicle off of whatever assembly line the vehicle was on.

St. Louis also manufactured pick up trucks during this time frame. Corvette production was a very small part of St. Louis operations.

Can the OP double check the VIN derivative and confirm that it really is 14S469618?

Tiger Joe

I thought trucks used a C in the VIN not S.

AllC34Me

Now I always find these discussions worth a following.
I'm in.
David

Revi

The VIN and Engine Suffix Code are two different things.

The "S" in the VIN 14s469618 indicates St. Louis assembly plant.

The engine suffix code is stamped on the engine after the assembly date, in this case V1113???

Car engine suffix codes (after 1969) begin with a "C", CTH, CAB, CTK, etc..

Truck engine suffix codes (after 1969) begin with "T", TAB, TCH, TCA, etc..

emccomas

Here is a quick and dirty extract of all 1974 350 engine suffix codes

CKB 74 350 185 4B,4S CA,NO
CKD 74 350 160 4B,CE,TH CA,CH,NO,PA
CKH 74 350 160 4B,CE,MT CA,CH,NO
CKU 74 350 185 4B,TH CA,NO
CKZ 74 350 195 4B,4S CO
CLA 74 350 195 4B,TH400 CO
CLB 74 350 195 4B,4S,CE CO
CLC 74 350 195 4B,CE,TH400 CO
CLD 74 350 250 4B,TH400 CO
CLH 74 350 250 4B,CE,TH400 CO
CLJ 74 350 245 4B,4S,Z28 CA
CLK 74 350 245 4B,TH400,Z28 CA
CLR 74 350 250 4B,4S CO
CLS 74 350 250 4B,4S,CE CO
CMA 74 350 145 2B,TH CA,NO,PA
CMC 74 350 145 2B,3S CA,CH,MC,NO
CMD 74 350 2B,PO,TH,TX PA
CMH 74 350 160 4B,TH PA
CMJ 74 350 160 4B,PO,TH PA
CMK 74 350 160 4B,CE,PO,TH,TX PA
CMR 74 350 145 2B,TH CH
CMS 74 350 185 4B,4S CA
CMT 74 350 245 4B,TH,Z28 CA
TJA 74 350 155 4B,MT TR
TJB 74 350 155 4B,MT TR
TJC 74 350 155 4B,MT TR
TJD 74 350 155 4B,MT TR
TJM 74 350 160 4B,MT TR
TJU 74 350 160 4B,AIR,TH350 TR
TJW 74 350 160 4B,MT TR

martin griffin

Thanks again. Looks like mine is the CLA. Would these have the 4 bolt mains?

AllC34Me

The 4 shown means 4 barrel carburetor. Unlikely a four bolt main but don't let that stop you from rebuilding it, I have seen two bolt mains produce a lot of horsepower.

What are your goals for the HP rating from the engine you want in your 1974. Will you continue to use the TH-400 transmission or are you swapping it out for a manual like a TKO, T-56, or some other transmission. Try to take the holistic approach to the decision, you will be happier with the choices you make and minimize the surprises later when you are driving it down the road once again.

Good luck with your decisions.

Best regards,

David

emccomas

It is still not adding up. Could you double check the VIN derivative and confirm that is says 14s469618?

Any chance of taking a picture of the engine pad and posting it.