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So I was gifted a 77 C3 and I'm trying to find out if it is numbers matching, and I am having a hard time deciphering. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also noticed that the heads are factory blue, and the block is chevy orange. Would GM assemble blue heads on an orange block? Block shows 3970010 which I have found is correct with what its supposed to have, but the front numbers have been tampered with which raises concerns...I am not crazy familiar with the SBC engines so I'm hoping someone has some insight. Thanks!
That is the short stamp pad which was introduced in 1978 so this cannot be the original engine to your '75 Corvette. The last letter of the suffix is pretty much lost in that pic but the suffix codes for Chevrolet beginning with TB are all either 1979 or 1982 305's or 350's with C10-C2500 applications. Pontiac also used the TB suffix for the 305 in the 1982 Phoenix.
I'm thinking it would be interesting to see a shot of the entire engine bay. But based on what I can see so far.
Not thinking this is original.
Doesn't really matter on these cars anyway.
Mine has the original block, thus the matching vin number.
But the matching numbers guys go way, way beyond that.
the correct stamp and date code on the alternator. The correct and original water pump. The correct and original date coded starter motor. The correct markings on bolts. Like the intake manifold bolt head markings, etc, etc.
It's truly enough to make your head spin.
Just drive it and enjoy it! The original engine was a dog anyway!
With a vin as low as 617 your car would have been built in August 1976. The stamp pad begins V01 which would indicate a January block in your 77.
That shape appeared in 1977 Chevy small blocks. Here are two 1977 corvette stamp pads. Notice the early production vin.
I don't believe the pad's been "tampered" with, I think it's just heavily rusted/pitted.
As has been stated above the small pad was introduced in 78 (earlier pads were about the same with as the head). From what I see the suffix code appears to be TB?. In 79 there were a dozen different 350's that had a three digit suffix code beginning with TB , including TBB, TBC, TBD, TBF, TBH, TBK, TBL, etc..... The first digit of the VIN stamping looks like it's either a "C" or a "G", meaning the engine originally came out of a vehicle built at either GM Lansing MI (C) or Framingham MA (G). If it was out of a Corvette it would have had an "S" for the St Louis assembly plant where Corvettes were built in 79.
Thats good to hear. Everything looks intact, there is not hardly any aftermarket parts from what I have seen after having it for about 6 months now. Thank you for your time. I would really like to know everything about this C3 and unfortunately the previous owner has passed and nobody seems to know a thing...but I'm glad to see other stamps like this cause my simple google search is useless.
This site has lots of other numbers you can check, when you really want to nerd-out on your car. This includes some casting numbers that may give you more of a clue about the engine's origins.
I am glad to hear that it doesn't seem likely it was tampered with. I was just surprised how a stamp could disappear that way from corrosion. Thanks for the links I will check these out. Cheers!
Please help me identify
