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engine numbers

Old Sep 18, 2017 | 05:04 PM
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have an engine block number 397 0(1 or 2) 0, on the left side of the engine on the block below the headers is a the following number 941200712 what is this number? How can I figure out what engine I have?
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 05:34 PM
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The numbers you need are in 2 places- On the stamp pad in front of the right cylinder head, and the casting number that is on the block, left side just ahead of the bell housing. The closest number you have would the 397010, but it appears to not have enough characters to me. Could be wrong.
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 05:51 PM
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Hi G39,
Welcome!
First post!!
Here's the location of the engine assembly stamp and the partial vin of the vehicle the engine was first installed in that TimAT described in his post..
Regards,
Alan


Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 18, 2017 at 06:01 PM.
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi G39,
Welcome!
First post!!
Here's the location of the engine assembly stamp and the partial vin of the vehicle the engine was first installed in that TimAT described in his post..
Regards,
Alan

Which is the partial vin? What if the block only has one stamping on the front stamp pad?? Can they be dechipered??
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 07:04 PM
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Hi San,
On the pad in my photo:

The stamp with the smaller digits is the VIN Derivative:
C... Chevrolet
1... Chevrolet car line
1... last digit of year…71
S... St.Louis
1XXXXX Build Sequence 06589

The Stamp with the larger digits is the Engine Assembly Stamp:
V... Flint Engine Plant (Assembled all small block engines for Corvettes)
0107... Assembly Date (January 7th 1971)
CJL... Broadcast Code ( 350 cu.in, 270 hp, 4-speed Transmission)


Engines that were to be sold 'over the counter' or were used as 'service replacement engines') would have the Assembly Stamp, but not the typical VIN Derivative stamp.

Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 18, 2017 at 07:16 PM.
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Old Sep 18, 2017 | 11:53 PM
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Thanks alan, thats exactly what i was wondering, my assembly stamp shows st catherines ontario. And suffix says vette on a few sites. I was thinking this motor may be a replacement. No vin stamp, maybe i will contact original owner once i get car package from mto. Would be nice to hear more history.

K0125TKL

​​​​​​​3970010

Last edited by san; Sep 18, 2017 at 11:56 PM.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 06:44 AM
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Hi San
The info I have indicates the TKL suffix code was used 3 times:

1974 350 cu. in., 160 hp., 4 barrel, at, truck
1978 350 cu. in., 165 hp., 4 barrel, mt, truck
1980 350 cu. in., 170 hp., 4 barrel, at, truck.

I think it's pretty well accepted that the small block engines that were installed in Corvettes came from the Flint engine plant, (V) during the 68-82 model years.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 19, 2017 at 06:47 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 08:17 AM
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Agree with Alan71!

Another quick indicator is the "T". Engines that were built for and installed into trucks were stamped with a "T" (e.g. TKL). Engines that were built for and installed into cars were stamped with a "C" (e.g. CKL).

Last edited by Revi; Sep 19, 2017 at 09:58 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 11:11 AM
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I know what you guys are saying. The tkl motor was used in more than trucks guys. Ive already done lots of research. Previous owner was told by PO that motor was swapped, i already know about siffix's and what not. What doesnt makes sence is there is no vin stamp on block. Which usually means it didnt come out of another vehicle....motor came from st. Catherines plant here in ontario, what it was originally meant for is unclear. Motors with suffix 'T' also came in firebirds, camaros, grand prix, lemans, and vettes...but again....why wouldnt there be a vin stamped, im guessing someone actually bought an over the counter motor like allan stated??? Thanks for the insight guys.

Last edited by san; Sep 19, 2017 at 11:14 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by san
I know what you guys are saying. The tkl motor was used in more than trucks guys. Ive already done lots of research. Previous owner was told by PO that motor was swapped, i already know about siffix's and what not. What doesnt makes sence is there is no vin stamp on block. Which usually means it didnt come out of another vehicle....motor came from st. Catherines plant here in ontario, what it was originally meant for is unclear. Motors with suffix 'T' also came in firebirds, camaros, grand prix, lemans, and vettes...but again....why wouldnt there be a vin stamped, im guessing someone actually bought an over the counter motor like allan stated??? Thanks for the insight guys.
Corvette engine suffix codes 1955-1993.(This would be the last two or three letters stamped in the assembly code. Where's the "T"?
http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/Cor...ne%20Codes.pdf

Are you confusing the "T" for Tonawanda in the engine assembly stamp? This would be the first letter stamped. e.g. T0506CLK?

Last edited by Revi; Sep 19, 2017 at 11:37 AM.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Revi
Corvette engine suffix codes 1955-1993.(This would be the last two or three letters stamped in the assembly code. Where's the "T"?
http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/Cor...ne%20Codes.pdf

Are you confusing the "T" for Tonawanda in the engine assembly stamp? This would be the first letter stamped. e.g. T0506CLK?
No not confusing...read up a few posts i listed them
K0125tlk
I already know its not the stock motor, and yes i know the 'T' usually means truck, but with no vin stamp in front of it i found it kind of strange, thinking that they bought the motor from gm and wanted a 4 bolt main. Thats what i was told by.previos owner just kind of had my doubts...but it looks like the previous owners told the truth.
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Old Sep 19, 2017 | 03:49 PM
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Hi San,
I just looked through the list of suffixes that begin with a T and the only examples I see that weren't destined for trucks are some 305 cubic inch engines that went into Camaros, Firebirds, Chevelles, and passenger cars, during 85, 86, and 87. (They all appear to have a 9 as part of the suffix code.)

In your earlier post you mention that at a few sites the TKL suffix was listed as used on engines installed in a Corvette…where was that?
Regards,
Alan

I think the TKL suffix code is a pretty good indication of what the engine began it's life as, and the question of how it ended up in your car at some point may well remain unanswered.
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Old Sep 20, 2017 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi San,
I just looked through the list of suffixes that begin with a T and the only examples I see that weren't destined for trucks are some 305 cubic inch engines that went into Camaros, Firebirds, Chevelles, and passenger cars, during 85, 86, and 87. (They all appear to have a 9 as part of the suffix code.)

In your earlier post you mention that at a few sites the TKL suffix was listed as used on engines installed in a Corvette…where was that?
Regards,
Alan

I think the TKL suffix code is a pretty good indication of what the engine began it's life as, and the question of how it ended up in your car at some point may well remain unanswered.
The heads on the motor are from a 67 vette..from casting numbers....hahahha

​​​​​​​3890462 i believe

I just bought a holley strip dominator intake this morning for 120 canadian!!!! Saweeet!!! And i just checked the head castings....can this day get any better?!?!?! Picked up a 3810 holley a while back from 67 erra as well....should all work like a BEAST!!!

Last edited by san; Sep 20, 2017 at 01:00 PM.
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