ok...my cast number is 3970010 and according to a website I found its either
3970010....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
or
3970010....327.....69....2...Trucks and industrial

So its probably from the camaro, but why is "86" casted on the side of the block??...anyway I have a 302....which SUCKS....I feel raped...my dad is going to flip when I tell him....here is the story:

in the early '80's, when he lived in fort worth texas, he raced the car. He put a 400 CI small block in it and had the times so low he was kicked off the track for no roll bar(mid 11's???). So anyway, he went to california when he was in the military, and he left the vette with his buddy, a corvette shop owner(by the name of dale something)...His buddy drag raced his car ferther(without permission), and blew up the 400 CI. Dale told my dad they rebuilt it, and put it back in for him. So when my dad got back and drove the car, it was obvious the 400 was gone. So, dale told him they put in a 350 that would be better for him in the long run :rolleyes: . my dad thinks they just said they blew it up because they wanted to put the 400 in one of their other race cars.

So my dad has been under the impression he's had a 350 for all these years...then I do research and its a 302?

Never trust anyone....

Daniel

 

The 3970010 block was used for many years from 302's 327's 350's. Check on the left front of the block just under the head for the stamping numbers. There should be a set of 6 numbers that are the same as the last 6 numbers in the VIN of the car if it is the original motor. They never used 302's in a Corvette.

 

that was the only number on the block...there are no numbers on the front of the block....That number was on the back of the block behind the drivers side head... The engine is not origional to the car, I know that for a fact, so that was no suprise.

Daniel

 

I always thought that the 302 blocks were rare and very desirable to those who restore camaros. So, I kinda doubt that it's a 302.

 

Maybe it is and I can sell it and get enough to buy a 350

Daniel

 

Daniel,

I was there when the 302 Z-28s hit the street. Although I've always been a big-block kinda guy, a '67-'69 302 would light my fire - even today.

The complete 302 engine (especially the 2x4bbl option) is one sweet combination.

 

it still could be a 350 though with a 010 block casting dont fret yet.remeber the 302 327 and the 350 were the same bore block....4.00 its just the stroke was different.also they might of put the 305 heads on it to raise the compression with the 58cc heads too.


[Modified by pats406nitrovette, 6:07 PM 3/10/2002]


[Modified by pats406nitrovette, 6:08 PM 3/10/2002]

 

Daniel, there are litterally thousands of 010 blocks out there that are 350s and only a limited number of 302s. Odds are far greater that it is a 350 rather than a 302. But as you said, you can easily sell and original 302 for more tham enough to get a 350. Hershey :chevy :chevy :chevy

 

but whats with the 305 heads?

how can I find out what it is without tearing into it??

Daniel

 

The first year of production for the 010 block was in 1969. And as mentioned in a previous post, the only difference is the crank, but you do have a 350 block. So far so good.

If it makes any difference to you, look at the passenger side of the block. Above the oil pan, and below the exhaust manifold. There'll be a date clock cast into the block itself along with some numbers. I believe they will be upside down and the series will start with a number. Starting with 9 for 1969, then 0 and so on. But in any case you do have a 350 block. The website you looked at, didn't list the applications for the 010 block or, that they were used in Corvette's which were all 350's.

Now for the heads. Pop a valve cover and look for the casting number. It'll be a 7 digit number. (like 3932386) Post that number and we can help you to determine what the heads are.


[Modified by kahuner, 6:57 PM 3/10/2002]

 

The #416 305 heads are the High Output 305 heads with 1.84 intakes and 1.5 exhaust. Sounds like an odd mix of parts, but the real story will be the pistons. With flat top pistons in a 350, this head will give you about 11:1 compression requiring delicate tuning skills to run on the street. With dish pistons, they give about 9.6: 1 compression. If the engine were really a 302, I dought if the original pop up pistons would work with these heads, and there aren't very many other pistons made for the 302. I suspect, someone took a dish piston 350 and tried to bump up the compression to help the power some. Did you look up the casting date on the back of the engine? It may or maynot help, depending if internal parts were changed through a rebuild. Hope this helps. Hershey :chevy :chevy

 

If I remember correctly, the 302 had smaller journals than the 327 and 350's, is this correct???

Here are the applications for your block# according to
http://www.mortec.com/
3970010....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
3970010....327.....69....2...Trucks and industrial
3970010....350...69-80...2 or 4

Here are the ones for my motor which is not original either which I am happy to have. The older blocks have more material and nickel in them from my understanding. I bored it 60 over and stroked mine...388cu got to love it
cast A139
3956618....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
3956618....327...68-69...2
3956618....350.....69....2 or 4






[Modified by Nomad78SA, 8:22 PM 3/10/2002]

 

302's had small journals in 67-68, but changed to large journal in 69. Hershey :chevy

 

ok...going from everything said above, which of the fallowing would make more sence:

1) attempt to breath life into the mystery motor with new heads/intake possibly cam(probably not because I just got done putting in the radiator and stuff, I don't wanna do it again anytime soon)...

2) look for a bare-minimum short block. Not bare minimum, but one built with good parts, just not high HP(good crank, pistons, etc, but mild heads/cam)...if I went this way, there is a race shop near by where I may be able to pick up a rebuilt race engine for a good price...???

The pro's and con's of both are apparent...but the biggest one being internal componants. I either know exactly what it is, or I spend years speculating(which could be bad if I speculate wrong when I attempt to add HP).

I think the initial cost of each option would be pretty similar, but the long run could be dramatically different.

I don't know what will happen. I told my dad the engine might be a 302, or 327, or 350. He said it didn't drive like a 350(even the 180HP stock 350 the car had when he first got it)...then he told me to price short blocks as a possible birthday present for me...but if I can go to him with a cheaper alternative(heads etc), he maybe more included...

I wouldn't mind if it stayed like it was now, but my dad brough it up, so I figured I'd pitch it here and see where it goes...

Daniel

 

the only downfall about what your thinking is if they are 305 heads i wouldnt put them on a good short block.But if you knew what you have for s hort block now then id say go ahead and do heads cam intake and carb.,but on the other hand you dont know how the bottom end is right now,so if you did that and the bottom end goes then your back to the drawing board again.Now im sure your really confused :D

 

does a short block come with heads??

Daniel

 

no,just a long block has heads...short block is block,crank,pistons,rods,timing chain and gears and cam,sometimes oil pan and timing cover.

 

whats the ones without intake and carb or distributor?

Daniel

 

No short blocks do not come with heads. A rebuilt engine with heads is referred to as "long block".

I have a question for you. Where did this 305 head thing come from did I miss something in your earlier post?

Pull the valve cover and tell us what the 7 digit number is.......please.

 

a long block would be that..look into a zz4 from chevy or a 350 ho motor from chevy. http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/