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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 04:28 PM
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Default Engine decodes

About 10 months ago I logged onto the forum and asked how to decode my engine as it was not the original. But I never could get a definitive answer...Now I have some numbers off the heads, I though maybe this might help.

Block #: 3970010

Drivers Head: 3999699
Pass HEad: 3886388

I am really just interested in if I have a 327 or 350.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 04:35 PM
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Were there any other markings or date codes on the heads? Neither of those casting numbers are listed on Mortec and that's usually a pretty good site for finding this information out.

Did you have the code from the front pad on the block?
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 04:39 PM
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I got the head numbers from the front pad, after I pulled the valve covers off...where else should I look if those numbers are not right?
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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you have a 350 cu in block (original configuration anyway, could have been bored or stroked by now)

we could tell more if you could get the numbers from the front pad. (just below the head on the right front of the engine) next to where the water pump bolts on. rick
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 07:28 PM
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OK..I just checked near the water pump and found that someone at one point had chipped the paint off and exposed this number:

V0710OMA18D4241 _ _ there maybe two more numbers on the end, but I can't read them.

Last edited by TyCor; Nov 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM. Reason: spell
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 09:21 PM
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Anyone shed some light on these engine codes? I was told when I bought the car that it had a 327. and the guy selling it had a '68 vert also in his garage. He got both cars as payment for some type of service his company did for a customer. He was not into vettes, and just wanted to get the cash out of them.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 09:50 AM
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The block casting number could be either a 327 or 350.
No listing for the head castings. Is there a 2 or 3 letter engine code on the block data stamp pad?

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by TyCor

V0710OMA18D4241 _ _ there maybe two more numbers on the end, but I can't read them.

As others have said it could be a 327 or a 350. The V0710OMA will narrow it down further.

V is for Flint Michigan ***'y plant. 0710 is the date of assembly. July 10.

The next three letters will determine what engine type it is. Are you sure it's OMA? Maybe CMA?
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 02:59 PM
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well, i learned something new! i never realized that GM made any 327 engines with the 010 casting. i always thought most of them were the 870. thanks guys, rick
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by razman
well, i learned something new! i never realized that GM made any 327 engines with the 010 casting. i always thought most of them were the 870. thanks guys, rick
GM never made 327 production cars with the "010" block. You could use a "010" block to build one yourself if you had a 68-69 large journal 307 or 327 crank but there isn't any way to tell without tearig something apart to see it.

Based on the casting number, the only factory build would be a 350.

-Mark.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by stingr69
GM never made 327 production cars with the "010" block. .
I have seen listings for a '68 327 installed in Chevelle/El Camino cars using the 0010 block. Not saying that it's right though.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 06:42 PM
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Mike,

what if those three letters were CMA vs. OMA...what would that mean? The numbers/letters are really faded.

How many numbers whould there be....I'll go try again.

Last edited by TyCor; Nov 16, 2008 at 06:43 PM. Reason: spelling
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
I have seen listings for a '68 327 installed in Chevelle/El Camino cars using the 0010 block. Not saying that it's right though.
Mike,
That is probably just a careless assembly of information by the author. You have multiple different SBC block castings being used in 1969 but they were not all being used at the same time.

The 327 engine was discontinued by Chevrolet in February 1969 and replaced by the 307 which uses a different block casting. The ".010" blocks weren't being cast before April 1969 so I don't see where we could get a factory built 327 with that "010" block unless I am missing something.

-Mark.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by stingr69
The ".010" blocks weren't being cast before April 1969 so I don't see where we could get a factory built 327 with that "010" block unless I am missing something.

-Mark.
No, I think you're right. Bad info on a web site.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by TyCor
Mike,

what if those three letters were CMA vs. OMA...what would that mean? The numbers/letters are really faded.

How many numbers whould there be....I'll go try again.
CMA would be 1974 350 turbo hydro trans. 2bbl carb A B F X body

Much more likely.

O can frequently look like C and vice versa.
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