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What is this engine?

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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 10:00 PM
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Default What is this engine?

OK, before you all say what an idiot, a little background.

I bought a 1978 C3 off a very nice gentleman who has early stage Altziemers.

He said the engine was replaced a few years ago with a 383 stroker crate engine. That's all.

It is clearly not stock with Hedman headers and MSD ignition system.

I can't see any identification marks. Does anyone know if this engine is likely to have identification markings and where to Look?

I'm not asking how to tell difference between 350 vs 383.
Non EGR, edelbrock performance intake, no oil pressure switch, no Charcoal canister

PO said it was a crate engine specifically for corvettes, but again he was sadly confused about a number of things so I am not positive he was correct.

Has edelbrock 600 carb (1405 or 1406 I think)

Any help much appreciated.

Motor is post 2011, probably less than 5 years old



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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 10:20 PM
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I'll hold off on calling you an idiot long enough for you to post some pictures, including a close up of the stamp pad. Sound fair?
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Old Oct 11, 2018 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
I'll hold off on calling you an idiot long enough for you to post some pictures, including a close up of the stamp pad. Sound fair?
Deal. Where would stamp pad be located?


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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 06:31 AM
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If it's a 383, it is probably a rebuilt GM block. The engine stamp pad is located at the top of the block ahead of the passenger side head, just above where the water pump bolts to the block. It may be behind your AC compressor, if you have one. If it is a rebuilt Corvette engine, the codes on the stamp pad will tell you. Or tell you have a GM crate engine like a ZZ4.

https://www.google.com/search?q=c3+c...p+pad+location

The casting number on the block, and on the heads for that matter, would be helpful. Aluminum heads? Any pictures would help, especially ones with casting numbers, or other stamped numbers.
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyJJ
...Where would stamp pad be located?...
There is a pad on the block at the front of the passenger's side head.
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 09:57 AM
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Default Will add pictures soon...can’t upload for some reason

Originally Posted by Bikespace
If it's a 383, it is probably a rebuilt GM block. The engine stamp pad is located at the top of the block ahead of the passenger side head, just above where the water pump bolts to the block. It may be behind your AC compressor, if you have one. If it is a rebuilt Corvette engine, the codes on the stamp pad will tell you. Or tell you have a GM crate engine like a ZZ4.

https://www.google.com/search?q=c3+c...p+pad+location

The casting number on the block, and on the heads for that matter, would be helpful. Aluminum heads? Any pictures would help, especially ones with casting numbers, or other stamped numbers.
ok, no t-plate can be found. Some numbers on aluminum heads.

Last edited by JohnnyJJ; Oct 12, 2018 at 10:01 AM.
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 01:42 PM
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Why not post a pic of your engine and we could all stop guessing?
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 01:50 PM
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Default pictures

sorry, I was having trouble posting pictures:





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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 01:52 PM
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Default 1978 c3


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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 02:02 PM
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Nice looking car!

Could you look again for the stamp pad? Right where the alternator bracket is in your third engine photo, that's where the stamp pad will be below the other head (passenger side) on the other side of the car. It might be painted orange. I had to scrape muck and paint off of mine.
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 02:38 PM
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although, in truth the difference between a 350 and a 383 is the stroke. And you can't see the stroke from the outside. So unless you're going to pull ahead or drop the oil pan you're not going to know whether you got a three and a half or three and three quarter inch stroke crankshaft.come to think of it, yes there is. The harmonic balancer and the flywheel are both going to have counterweights on them if it's an externally balanced 3.75 Stroke motor, which most of them are. The 3.5 stroke 350 or neutral internal balance Motors the balancer doesn't have any counterweights the flywheel doesn't have any counterweights.
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 05:39 PM
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That engine had a hard 5 years. It does not look too fresh
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Old Oct 12, 2018 | 11:18 PM
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Default Found some numbers

Block casting number is 4-GM 3970010. Also has 010 on the side.

Found a number on top of tranny tunnel : 8640300 10214-A

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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyJJ
...Block casting number is 4-GM 3970010...
The 010 blocks were generic GM 350 CID used in several model lines, including Corvette.
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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnnyJJ
sorry, I was having trouble posting pictures:

If you google "SBC stamp pad" you will find lots of pictures of what is being asked for.



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Old Oct 13, 2018 | 10:50 PM
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How is the block stamp relevant if we suspect this is a 383? The only way its going to help is if a remanufacturing company or machine shop stamped additional info on it.

To answer your question, you wont know its a 383 without taking the engine apart. Honestly, Id focus on getting it running first. The body looks nice and sharp, lets hope the engine bay cleans up as nicely.
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