Need help locating date code from BB Heads
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Need help locating date code from BB Heads
Hey guys, I have a set of 3964291 heads that I am getting ready to list for sale, but I cannot seem to locate the date codes on these things??
I thought the date code was right near casting #s? I looked & I see no numeric numbers other than the casting # & all the way to left is K288?
any ideas? am I looking in wrong place or is K288 the date code?
any help greatly appreciated
I thought the date code was right near casting #s? I looked & I see no numeric numbers other than the casting # & all the way to left is K288?
any ideas? am I looking in wrong place or is K288 the date code?
any help greatly appreciated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 91
BBC "291" Castings
Seeing as how Chevy was selling the LS-6 "crates" into the late '70's you will find these "291" heads cast up into the mid '70's timeframe, possibly even later. Chevy needed a continous supply of both head's and block's to keep the (aftermarket) assemblies flowing "over-the-counter"!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. I have 4 brand new "291's", in the boxes, with some K-17-75 date codes!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. I have 4 brand new "291's", in the boxes, with some K-17-75 date codes!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Seeing as how Chevy was selling the LS-6 "crates" into the late '70's you will find these "291" heads cast up into the mid '70's timeframe, possibly even later. Chevy needed a continous supply of both head's and block's to keep the (aftermarket) assemblies flowing "over-the-counter"!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. I have 4 brand new "291's", in the boxes, with some K-17-75 date codes!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. I have 4 brand new "291's", in the boxes, with some K-17-75 date codes!
Thanks to all for the info.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 91
BB "291" Heads
We rarely buy any assembled ones anyway, even today. Just started recently however with Comp's (RHS/Pro-Topline) line for testing!
Thanks, Gary in N.Y.
P.S. These "291" heads we have are not all that valueable with those date codes!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
It's just possible those K288 heads are 1978 rather than 1968 castings, seeing that Thanksgiving hit on the 28th in '68, no? Just a thought.
I've got a couple of 291's sitting around myself that I'd like to move too.
edit - Which spark plugs do they take? That'll help settle the issue...
I've got a couple of 291's sitting around myself that I'd like to move too.
edit - Which spark plugs do they take? That'll help settle the issue...
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Nov 17, 2009 at 06:22 PM.