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Another engine code question: wtf does "PKC" code for?

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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 08:56 AM
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Default Another engine code question: wtf does "PKC" code for?

Looking at a NOM, otherwise sweet '69 "L46" car for sale.
Have checked the usual sources of engine code info' (Lime Book, NastyZ28, etc.) and can't find any reference to this legit-looking "PKC" engine code suffix (see attached).
Anybody have a clue what a PKC code might indicate?
If it helps, there are also "5.7LG" and "SGI" cast (not stamped) on the block in one area and what looks to be "140_____" in another area, but it's hard to read the top half of the digits. Looks like it is likely "14093638" which suggest some 350 ci motor cast from 1986 to 1994.
My questions are, what does "PKC" code for and is this an ok replacement block for a '69 L46 (4 bolt main etc.) or a boat anchor?
Thanks!!!

Last edited by ElmrPhD; Mar 21, 2022 at 12:47 PM. Reason: Got more info'
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 10:43 AM
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Can not find the PKC suffix but have a PKA and D were made in 1988 for a truck 350 160 HP for those two codes. If can post the casting number maybe able to find it that way.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 10:52 AM
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Thanks.
Terrible angle, but here's the provided pic of the casting number, which if I had to guess turns out to be "14093638", as I mentioned in the initial post.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 11:01 AM
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Sorry sometimes I skim read which I should not. Here is the casting number and years made does not have what vehicles it was used in.

1986-94 14093638 350
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 11:28 AM
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Post pictures of the rest of the car
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by ralphspears
Post pictures of the rest of the car
It's just a standard red '69 'vert with black drop top.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by PJO
Sorry sometimes I skim read which I should not. Here is the casting number and years made does not have what vehicles it was used in.

1986-94 14093638 350
Thanks. Yeah, that's what I came up with.
Any interesting theory about what "PKC" suffix might code for?
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 01:37 PM
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Default Factory Straight Broaching to Rotary Mill?

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Looks like aged factory mill marks... does anyone know when GM changed from straight-line broaching to a rotary mill setup? (Assuming they did at some point, given the pic above.)
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 02:34 PM
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i see nothing for RKC, PKC or BKC but if it is 86 to 94 350 it is a onepiece rear seal probably roller and probably no manual fuel pump engine. if it has a manual pump on it, it may well be a marine or other over the counter engine. there is no vin derivative below the RPO code. this one is in the US. looks like a pretty clean car with honest seller with lots of pics and history. might be worth the trip and ship... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...my-1972-a.html

Last edited by derekderek; Mar 21, 2022 at 02:42 PM.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 03:05 PM
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I check marine block this was not used in that application. If I was to do a "SWAG" (Scientific Wild *** Guess)., As the PKA and PKD were used in trucks in 1988 would say the PKC was used in a truck in 1988. Also look above the oil filter on the block as the VIN were getting very long at this point. That was the alternate location for VIN stamp. Also have read that sometimes the VIN was stamped in one of the heads.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
i see nothing for RKC, PKC or BKC but if it is 86 to 94 350 it is a onepiece rear seal probably roller and probably no manual fuel pump engine. if it has a manual pump on it, it may well be a marine or other over the counter engine. there is no vin derivative below the RPO code. this one is in the US. looks like a pretty clean car with honest seller with lots of pics and history. might be worth the trip and ship... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...my-1972-a.html
Thanks! That's very interesting...if not impressive.
I checked out the advert you sent - thanks for that, too. Sadly, the ads that provide the most pix, also reveal the most issues. Life ain't fair. This black coupe's birdcage showed some so-so rust. What the pix show didn't scare me directly, but it makes you wonder what lies deeper. I'm going to go back and look at that again.
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by PJO
I check marine block this was not used in that application. If I was to do a "SWAG" (Scientific Wild *** Guess)., As the PKA and PKD were used in trucks in 1988 would say the PKC was used in a truck in 1988. Also look above the oil filter on the block as the VIN were getting very long at this point. That was the alternate location for VIN stamp. Also have read that sometimes the VIN was stamped in one of the heads.
Thanks PJO.
I like your swag. Wait a minute, that sounds weird...
Anyway, I don't doubt it. In my many searches for a car to buy, I've come across several other C3s that had boring SBCs dropped in them. Sacrilege!!
But I can only go by the pix provided as I'm nowhere near the car (like, on another continent...).
Thanks for your help,
Steve, in the NLs
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Old Mar 21, 2022 | 07:14 PM
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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 11:23 AM
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so it is a 95 350. last year pre-vortec. definitely a roller cam and no fuel pump mount. these heads i think had the 2 center bolts at a different angle than the 4 end bolts. sand were not well regarded as a performance head. but as with most engines retrofitted into a corvette it was probably not left in it's pickup truck configuration. so i would research what heads and intake are on it, but not rule out the car because of this engine.
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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
so it is a 95 350. last year pre-vortec. definitely a roller cam and no fuel pump mount. these heads i think had the 2 center bolts at a different angle than the 4 end bolts. sand were not well regarded as a performance head. but as with most engines retrofitted into a corvette it was probably not left in it's pickup truck configuration. so i would research what heads and intake are on it, but not rule out the car because of this engine.
Thanks Derek^2,
Pardon my ignorance, but I don't know what you mean about, " the 2 center bolts at a different angle than the 4 end bolts". The seller says he THINKS the heads are original to the car, for what that's worth... It WAS originally an L46 (350/350) car. So, from what you're saying, having the original heads would be quite a plus.
Ok, you wanna REALLY impress me??? Tell me if the casting signs/shapes behind the stamp pad indicate what kind of heads they are. Even I can tell that they're not the coveted "camel humps":

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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 01:06 PM
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what valve covers does it have. everything 86-newer has 4 bolts in a row down the center of the valve covers. all C3 era corvettes had 4 bolts on the perimeter of the valve cover. 2 on top (intake side) and 2 on bottom (exhaust side). if he is claiming probably correct orig heads, they are perimeter bolt ones. do you have a whole engine pic?
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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 01:28 PM
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You can tell right away from the square physical size of the stamp pad that it is a late model block.....early pads stick out less and are longer....

Jebby
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To Another engine code question: wtf does "PKC" code for?

Old Mar 22, 2022 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
what valve covers does it have. everything 86-newer has 4 bolts in a row down the center of the valve covers. all C3 era corvettes had 4 bolts on the perimeter of the valve cover. 2 on top (intake side) and 2 on bottom (exhaust side). if he is claiming probably correct orig heads, they are perimeter bolt ones. do you have a whole engine pic?
Ok, I AM impressed! (It doesn't take much...)
Valve covers are the super-cool finned ones of the C3 era. Engine bay is sweet, no?


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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 03:15 PM
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ok definitely not TBI heads. i believe the correct orig L46 heads were the double hump identifier.
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Old Mar 22, 2022 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
ok definitely not tbi heads. I believe the correct orig l46 heads were the double hump identifier.
"tbi"?
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