Technical How do I identify different SBC engines

I have the opportunity to pick up 3 sbc engines that are sitting in a warehouse.

All I know at this time is they have been sitting for a long time, th want them gone and the prove is cheap, they are all used and the condition is unknown.

They may be 265, 283, 327 or 350, is there anything that jumps out when looking at them that helps determine the years, I intend on writing down the numbers on the block and reporting back, I know with that information I can get a idea of what they are. HRP

 

what are you going to do with all those corvette engines?

 

Well, there’s some things like road draft tubes, oil fill on intakes, vacuum control fitting on Tstat housings, etc. you can get an idea. Someone will give you better info.
That said if the price is right, remember the saying “There’s an ass for every seat”? Well, there’s an engine bay waiting for every engine

 

Trawling through and getting your head around suffix codes. Or the tried and true bore and stroke method.
If the price is right, buy them, then sort it all out at home in your own time.

 

As you can see, bore and stroke combination is an accurate method.

 

Long water pump, HEI ignition, AIR pump or other SMOG equipment.

If SMOG equipment is part of the engine, then the heads will be lower compression in most cases. Still a good engine, just not as many desirable parts.

 

Pics would help. Especially the top of the block behind the driver's side head, and the pad in front of the passenger side head. Most of the other stuff mentioned can be changed from engine to engine.

Good luck.

.bjb

 

Take pictures of casting number, casting date and engine number with suffix with your phone and post here. Squirrel will be along shortly to decipher.

 

Oh yes there is!

If you are EXTREMELY lucky and they are 64-67 Chevy II/Nova specific blocks look for a recessed oil filter pad like shown below, if they are, then we can talk numbers.

 

http://casting.brianesser.com/engine-codes-2/small-block-chevrolet-engine-suffix-codes/

Hey @HOTRODPRIMER , this may help, but there are 42 pages of engine suffix codes for small block chevy. Luckily they are easier to navigate alphabetically.

 

Pictures, pictures and more pictures..... Post those babies on here!!!!!.....

 

I will take my camera when I get the call & time to go by the warehouse and meet with the owner. HRP

 

Take pics of the front sides of the heads, too.

 

Not just the block number above the bellhousing bolts in back, but also on the right front pad just in front of the head surface. There's a long number hand stamped there with prefix and suffix codes that will narrow down the engine ID better than the block casting number at the rear.

 

right off check for side motor mounts, tri-five didn't have any

 

C'mon Danny, you got a pretty good idea what your looking at. You just like getting us involved in your adventures.

 

If you can get these 4 numbers, it should be a piece of cake:

 

Dang, this isn't quite rocket science.

The casting number on the back of the block tells you the basics on the block.

The suffix code on the the pad in front of the right head tells you the exact (original) size and application most of the time.
This one of my go to pages for block and head casting numbers and suffix codes https://nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

They don't usually have truck suffix codes that are a bit harder to hunt down.

Obviously those two codes should jive with each other. .

 

Casting codes and dates, Suffix codes and even the size of the stamping pad can help determine what SBC you have, But the quickest and easiest I have found assuming that they have never been messed with is the shape of the crankshaft flange. They are in order 265/283, 302,307, 327 small journal, 327 large journal and 350. I did not include 262,267, 305, and 400.

 

Vinfaf is right on target! Casting dates, stamped pad size, road draft tube are all clues. HRP you should be able to figure this out.

Pat

 

@HOTRODPRIMER ^^^^^^^^ the quickest way to check

 

Always way more fun to do it together.

 

350's I believe didn't have road draft tube provisions at rear of block, short of casting numbers on rear I'd look at crankshaft flanges

 

Glad I'm here today. I just learnt something new.

 

X2. Snowman

 

I am probably going to be the opposition here. I have a complete 63 - 283 and 64 - 327 both in good condition. I can not even give them away. Granted they both need to be put back together. Bores are nice and clean no rust.

 

It seems these days that anything under 350 is not worth considering. I blame the "crate engine" generation.

 

I experienced the same thing with two 283 blocks. I ended up scrapping them. I think that anyone who would use a 283 or 327 probably already has one in good condition and isn't looking for another. I see that people are also losing interest in the 350 SBC, preferring LS engines; they are the new SBC.

 

I am one who prefers a 283 & 327, I have had both and they were great engines, I have a 350 in my old beater the smaller displacement engines may not be the most desirable hot rod engines but they are reliable. HRP

283 that Ron built for the 32 I traded for.

 

Thanks guy's, I will make a copy and carry this with me when I check them out. HRP