Logan176

I'm just trying to figure out what I'm working with.

Engine code is 092TAX.
8910010 stamped on back driver side of block.
F28 stamped on back passenger side of block.
I can't find a 4 digit date code.

Thanks

Alan 71

Hi Logan,
Any chance you're seeing 3970010? That's a VERY common 350 block.
Any chance there's a letter in front of the assembly stamp? There usually was indicating the plant the engine was built at.
The 'TAX' suffix code indicates an engine assembled for use in a small truck in 70 and 72.
Any chance of some pictures of what you're seeing?
Regards,
Alan

Logan176

Alan, I'll jump in there with some q-tips to clean things out and try to grab a good picture.

Would it make sense for an engine used in a truck to have a lower red line vs an engine originally designed for a Vette... or is a Chevy 350 a 350 no matter the vehicle it was dropped into? Based on what I hear and feel from the engine, it doesn't seem happy going over 4500 rpm.

augiedoggy

From what I know...

The L48 corvette engine was the same stock 2 bolt station wagon engine that went into any car with a base 350 (these had cast internals, low compression and smaller valve heads and were meant for below 5000prm performance (redline was 5k I think?) I cant remember if the L48 cam was a basic stock station wagon cam or not though.
I know the heavy duty trucks got the 4 bolt engine and likely the mild l48 or similiar cam for more lower rpm toque.. (I used a 76 4 bolt block from a heavy duty pickup truck for my engine build and left the stock L48 as garage furniture on a stand.).
The L82 engine was actually the performance engine with 4 bolt block, forged internals , larger valved heads and a more aggressive cam which made more power at higher rpms and a slight cost over the l48 at lower rpms.. this made the L48 auto actually feel more powerful around town from stoplight to stoplight than the L82 according to car and driver because of the higher torque which came in at more useful rpms with many vettes weaker 3.08 gearing.

Alan 71

Hi Logan,
The 350 cu.in engine was used by Chevrolet for literally millions of vehicles.
The basic block was assembled in hundreds of configurations that gave it different horsepower and torque ratings.
As an example the TAX suffix was built in a 255 h.p. configuration in 1970 and a 175 h.p. configuration in 1972.
The casting date on the engine will help determine when the engine was cast and that might help determine how it was configured.
Regards,
Alan

It's been written that the Flint engine plant which was one of the plants that built sb engines at times was building as many as 100 different configurations and doing it at a rate of almost 6000 engines per hour.

Logan176

Where on the block should the date code be located?

Logan176

You're correct. That is the number. But I'm still having a hell of a time finding the date stamp. I can't find any other letters or numbers next to the ones I've already posted. With that said, there is at least 3 layers of paint on the block... blue, yellow, and orange on top. I'm going to clean some more and try again to take pics. It's difficult to get a good shot because the camera wants to focus on everything in front of where I'm aiming.

Alan 71

Hi L,
The casting date is on the rear flange of the engine to the right of the distributor.
Regards,
Alan

L310
L is for the code for December.
31 is the day of the month.
0 is for 1970.


This is the shift indicator: T for twilight (2nd Shift).
The clock: what hour of the shift the block was cast.

Logan176

This is the only thing I can find that resembles a date stamp. On the right side of the block was 3970071 and the clock. On the left side was the stamp you see below. I can clearly make out F28 and it looks like there used to be a number afterwards. Based on what's left, it looks more like a 0 than a 2.

Alan 71

Hi Logan,
Well F is June and 28 is of course the 28th.
The year digit is after the month and day.
What your seeing are impressions from screws.
Regards,
Alan

Logan176

There is nothing to the left or right of the stamped numbers.

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Alan 71

Hi Logan,
Now that there are pictures… how about one of the 'pad' in front of the right side head.
Regards,
Alan

Logan176

Looks like a little more cleaning revealed another letter: V0926TAX

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Logan176

I just spent the last half hour under the car looking for either the date code or the partial vin and I couldn't find squat. I also looked above the oil filter and had no luck.

Alan 71

Hi Logan,
The stamp now reveals:
V…..Flint Engine Plant
09….September
26….26th day
TAX..Suffix Code. 1970 (255 h.p.) or 1972 (170 h.p.) truck engine

Have you cleaned the paint off the rest of the pad? That's where the vin stamp would typically be.
Regards,
Alan

I believe this is a typical location for the VIN derivative stamp.

Logan176

Yes, I cleaned off the rest of the front pad last night and there is absolutely nothing else there. Everything else is perfectly smooth.

Alan 71

Hi Logan,
Well I'm at a loss.
I really don't know where else to tell you to look.
There must be some information about alternative locations for the casting date and vin stamp locations on sb engines I don't know about.
Sorry to leave you hanging!
HELP!
Regards,
Alan

Logan176

Thanks for all the help, Alan. I have to head over to a local Corvette shop for some fiberglass repair this summer, so I'll have him rack his brain a bit.

In the meantime, I'm going to assume I have the '70 version with 255 hp. My buddy had a 2014 Mustang V6 that put out 300 hp. I had no problem keeping up with him when we were both at full throttle.