small block chevy? I can't trace the suffix code

I picked up I believe a 400 cubic inch engine because of the harmonic balancer design. I have the serial numbers VO529FLC from the passenger side front. But it's installed in a 98 S10 truck and I can't get to the casting numbers on the back at this time. My problem is the FLC suffix code, I can come up with TLC suffix for 400 cubic inch 175 horse. I am sure it's FLC. Any help would be appreciated. Could this have been for another GM install?

 

did you search for 350 suffix codes? could be a stroked 350, with an external balance 400 crank.

but it's probably from the 80s, Chevy used C as the first letter of the suffix on car engines in the 70s, but by 1979 they ran out and started using D

 

Is there a center freeze plug on each side of the block? good indicater of 400 block.

 

Since the FLC doesn't show up any place as a "legit" suffix, you might have to go to the block casting number.
Larry T

 

also look for the partial VIN stamped on the block up front. 9 characters, it includes the year and assembly plant, as well as GM division.

 

As Handy has stated, check the block for three frost/core plugs per side. As I understand it only the 400's had three all others had two.

 

There were some 400's with only two.

Frank

 

Not all 400s have 3 core plugs per side. Some have 2, but I think the raised casting for the plug is there on the 400s with 2 plugs.
Larry T

 

I stand corrected ... thanks guys

 

Dude,get you a light and small mirror and get the numbers off the back top left of the block,I checked all 4 Gm id books I have and that doesn"t show up anywhere.

 

Thanks guys. I will try to get some more numbers off the rear of the block and get the vin number. May be that will help.

 

I was able to get the serial number off the front of the engine 030C10296, but the casting number is in such a tight area I will have to look again in the daylight. Thanks again.

Who in there right mind would put a V8 in such a small place.

 

I have an 86 350 one piece main seal,its externally balanced,with the big harmonic damper.Could be that,it was sold to me as a 305, but had no regular casting numbers on it,so when I pulled a head and measured the bore it turned out to be a 350.

 

These are a few pictures from the front of the engine. The pad where the serial number, and vin number are stamped. is a different shape from a standard small block this one measures about 1 1/4 by 2 1/4 in size. The small blocks I have sitting around including a 400 block, 350 block, and even a 67 283 block. The pad size is about 3/4 inch by 3 inch in size.

The kid I got the engine from was told it's a 30 over 350?

 

The squarer (is that a word??) pad is a later model engine. I don't remember when they started using them. I think sometime in the 80's, but I'm not sure.
Larry T

 

Even a blind person (or cave man) can tell a 400 block. Just run your hand ( with eyes closed) down the side of the block - if it has waves or bulges it's a 400 if its flat it's something else. Now wasn't that easy ?

 

I suspect you have a replacement engine that was not installed in a vehicle when it was built.

The V0529FLC decodes as: V=Flint engine plant, 05 = May, 29 = 29th of May

I cannot find FLC. Three letter engine codes started in 1970. Usually they have a C (for car) or T (for truck) on Chevy engines.

The VIN code of 030C10296 is strange also. Usually the first two digits are the body style.
The third position is usually a letter for the assembly plant.
The last six digits are the sequential number for the car.

Since there is a letter in the sixth from last position I don't think the number is a VIN.

The casting number and a date code from the block may solve the mystery!

 

If you look at the number pad again, you'll see the partial VIN is forward of the engine number, that other 030 number is from a machine shop or something.

I can't make out the VIN completely...starts with C then has a mystery letter (the year) then S? then the 6 serial number digits.

If you tell us what that mystery letter is then we can figure out what year it is.

A = 1980, B=1981, etc

Also most later engines have the last 3 of the casting number cast real big on the side of the block, like 207 or whatever it is.

 

I can't make out the VIN completely...starts with C then has a mystery letter (the year) then S? then the 6 serial number digits.

If you tell us what that mystery letter is then we can figure out what year it is.

A = 1980, B=1981, etc

Also most later engines have the last 3 of the casting number cast real big on the side of the block, like 207 or whatever it is.[/QUOTE]


Here is the vin number CFS179573

 

I may be wrong , I have been before , but I think the only 400 sbc that had the 3 freeze plugs up each side were the 4 bolt mains , the 2 bolt mains had the 2 freeze plugs on each side , like I said , I could be wrong , but , that is waht I have heard over the years...

 

I'm starting to get the idea that your engine is some sort of crate engine. It's been a while, but I think the last Targetmaster I put in for a customer had casting marks on the heads like yours.
Larry T

 

It's a 1985 engine, so it's not a 400 block.

 

I cant find "CFS" , but , I did finda "CF" code , it is in my "complete book of engine swapping no.2" copyright 1969 by Petersen Publishing company , it says "CF" = '59-'64 283......

 

C = Chevy truck
F = 1985
S = St Louis assembly plant

on this engine, CFS is the PREfix on the partial VIN. It is NOT the suffix on the engine number.

 

In 1981 I bought a new Targetmaster 350 and it has similar markings, as Larry T said.

 

If you can't get to the block casting numbers, can you pull a valve cover and check the casting numbers for the heads? It might point you in the right direction.
Larry T

 

Chevy truck 1985 that helps. Thanks for all the help. It's dropped about 40 degrees outside since yesterday, and snowing pretty good. but when the weather clears up I will look for the head and casting numbers, then I will bring this back up, maybe we can figure if it's a 350 block. It's supposed to be a 30 over 350?

 

It's looking more and more that this might be what it is.

 

85 would be two piece rear seal, and they were still internally balanced in the front when they changed to the external balance flywheel in 87.

If the damper has the recessed area like a 400, then it's an external balanced crank, and since the block is most likely a 350 block, you probably have a 383 stroker.

if the damper is just big, but does not have the recessed area on one side for balance, then it's just a 350 or 305.