SBC Casting numbers CLARIFICATION?????

I have three SBC engines and they all have the same casting number. When I got them I was told two are 327s and I got one and the dude said it was a 350. how can I tell what they really are for sure. I have checked in a book and in several web sites and they all say 327, 350.

HOW CAN I TELL FOR SURE?
THE CASTING NUMBER IS 3970010

any info is appreciated...Thanks

TD

 

1968 3970010 327 - - 2 A
1969-79 3970010 350 185 370 2 or 4 car, truck, Vette
3970010 350 69 Corvette Late 69, 4 Bolt Main
3970010 302 69 Camaro Z/28, Late 69, 4 Bolt Main
3970010 350 69-79 Truck 2 & 4 Bolt Main
3970010 350 69-79 Pass, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, Monte Carlo 2 & 4 Bolt Main
3970010 350 70 Corvette 300, 350, 370 HP Bolt Main
3970010 350 71 Corvette 270, 330 HP, 4 Bolt Main
3970010 350 72 Corvette 200, 225 HP, 4 Bolt Main
how about the number stamped on the front pad?? we can figure out any small block , with that we can tell what it came out of , the yrs, are 68 up so 69 was the first year of the 350 that is why the casting numbers are the same, checking the bore that is gonna be 4 inches not matter what size they are all 4 inch bores 302, 327, or 350, give us more info,, copy the numbers on the front pad and we can tell you the car it came from

 

You can't--that is just the block casting number for a particular 4" bore block that was used to build both 327 and 350 motors. It could also have been built as a 302, though I think they used a different block (also used for 327-350) for that. The 010 was also built in two and four bolt variants. To see what the block was used for originally, look at the serial number pad for a two or three digit letter code--this changed from two to three in about 1970 or so, with a "C" put at the front to indicate Chevy. It will look something like "BA" or "CBA" and will be next to a stamped date code for BUILD date--date cast at rear is CASTING date.

 

327= 2.30 mains 2.00 rod journal
350= 2.45 mains 2.10 rod journal

 

The engine assembly date is a "stamped in" code that is stamped into the metal as opposed to a "raised" casting. These date codes are can be found in a number of locations on the block, but most often are found on a ledge that is visible when the motor is assembled. This ledge is found on the passenger side of the block deck at the front. If your alternator is on the passenger side of the motor, the ledge on the block deck is right below it. You may have to move the alternator to be able to read this engine assembly code. Some blocks have the engine assembly code on a flat portion of the block above the timing cover mating surface on the front of the block.

Some very early smallblocks from the mid 1950 model years had an Engine Assembly Date which only included the last two digits of the year. It might look something like "F56FG". On later model engines the engine assembly code looks similar to this "T0422TR". In this case the first letter "T" stands for an engine factory Tonawanda. Your's might have an "F" or "V" for Flint, MI. The next two digits stand for the month of the year, in this example "04" or the fourth month April. The "22" stands for the 22nd day of the month. So what do we have so far in this example? The motor was assembled at the Tonawanda factory on April 22nd. The years are not given. What we have left is the "suffix code" which in this example is "TR". Chevy used one to three letters of the alphabet to code the type of engine, transmission and vehicle into the suffix code. In later years, parts of the Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) were also added before or after the Engine Assembly Date/Suffix code. In that case you might see "T0422TR 1123456789" stamped into the pad on the front passenger side of the block. Sometimes the engine V.I.N. was stamped into a different area of the block on the flange edge of the rear of the block, near the bellhousing mating surface. Sometimes the stamping is found above the timing cover mating surface on the front of the block.

Some of the Engine Suffix letter

 

The real best way is to pull the heads and measure them. Then you will know for sure. 327 has a 3 1/4 in stroke and the 350 has a 3.5 inch stroke.

 

Just to clarify, the 350 has a 3.48 in. stroke.

 

[ QUOTE ]
327= 2.30 mains 2.00 rod journal
350= 2.45 mains 2.10 rod journal



[/ QUOTE ]


don't forget there was a large journal 327 also in 68 or 69......joe

 

Thanks for the info guys....

I'll post those stamped numbers this evening...

TD

 

I got the following #s

***This one is a 2-bolt main V1128TFJ C97139299

***This one is a 4-bolt main C7S-161158

***This one I havent checked if 2 or 4 bolt
CMR 70127MR 9188785


Thanks in advance TD

 

" 2-bolt main V1128TFJ C97139299 " =
1972 TFJ 350 conv cab a/t 175 4 C&K; 10 & 20
1979 TFJ 350 van, bus, a/t, Cal L LS9 155 4 C-10 to 3500
1982 TFJ 350 conv, van & bus L LS9 155 4 C-10 to 3500


" 4-bolt main C7S-161158 " = may be
1982 C2S 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 155 4 B F G
or one of these:
1985 C7A 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 B F G/Omega
1985 C7B 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 B F G
1986 C7D 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 F
1986 C7H 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 F
1987 C7L 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 F/police/taxi/Monte
1987 C7M 305 Roch E4ME carb. H LG4 150 4 F/Kingswd


" 2 or 4 bolt CMR 70127MR 9188785 " =
1974 CMR 350 tur hydro trans. - 145 2 A
1978 CMR 350 m/t L82 4 220 4 Vette/Z-28
1980 CMR 305 auto trans. H LG4 155 4 full size

This all from http://www.nastyz28.com/spmenu.html

You could cross check the casting numbers from the blocks on www.mortec.com

 

Here's one for ya's. These numbers are from the front pad.
21B650536 K04 17 CTL

This block is a 2 bolt main and has the 3970010 cast in the back of the block then up above that is K 9 cast into the block. I looked up the head casting numbers 3998920 and it said they are 72-73 350. The intake valves are big on these heads. Is there any more info you guy's can give me on this motor? It also has a cast iron spread bore 4V intake. later plmczy

 

[ QUOTE ]
Just to clarify, the 350 has a 3.48 in. stroke.



[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah i know but anyone so hung up on casting numbers, on a board like this; figured he only had a ruler not a mic and 3.48 looks like 3.5 on a ruler. Is he restoring a matching number car. Other wise measure it and get on with it.

 

"Here's one for ya's. These numbers are from the front pad.
21B650536 K04 17 CTL"

1970 CTL 350 4 spd trans. 300 4 Vette
1972 CTL 350 tur hydramatic L65 165 2 A F X
1975 CTL 400 LT4 U 175 4 B A
1978 CTL 305 LG3, a/t U 145 2 B

So from the heads I would guess 1972 350 with TH350, installed in a Chevelle, Camaro or Nova.

 

Can you help me out determining where my block originated? It's a 3970010 K12 block and the front numbers are K07 06 TJA It's a four-bolt main. Thanks for any help.

 

1973 C20 or C30 truck.

 

hello all im new here i have the same question as most people do. i have an engine i have rebuilt but i dont know what it came out of. i baught it a year ago and have been working on it. it is a 3970010 so i know it i somewhere between a 307 to 350 cubic engine, but the numbers on the front of the motor on the passenger side under the head is V0318CKH. i know it is a 2 bolt main. other than that i cant narrow it down. if someone could tell me more please do.
thanks

 

The CKH is what will tell. I don't have a Motors Manual past 1969, so I can't look it up. 2 letter were pre 1970 as I recall. 3 letters is newer than my books.

 

CKH='73-'74 350 with manual trans, A,F.or X body.

 

The partial VIN C97xxxxxxx means Chevy truck, 1969 or 1979 but since it has a 3 letter suffix code TFJ that makes it a 1979 truck block. so it's a 350 block.

Might be 77 truck. Strange number.

Another strange number....doesn't make any sense to me.

 

Where you guys going for numbers since mortec is gone?

 

http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

 

same old books I had before mortec went away....

 

Thanks Ratmotor.

Squirrel ... what are books? LOL

 

thanks for help. now i would like to know what is most hp you would suggest that it would hold up to. i would like to put nitrous, turbo. dont worry i dont have 882's heads on it. im hoping for around 550-600 horsepower.

 

If the block casting code says 350 and 327 then the block would be a large journal 327 block.

I would like to get my hands on a large journal 327 crank if I could find a steel one. The 307 cranks are the same stroke but I don't think they arre a steel crank.

Somone correct me if I am wrong on the crank, please.

 

CTL corresponds to
1972 CAMARO 350 165HP TURBO350 L-65 2BBL VIN H
1972 CHEVELLE SAME AS ABOVE
1970 CORVETTE 300HP 350 4SP ZQ-3 4BBL
1975-76 IMPALA 400 175HP 400TURBO LT-4 4BBL VIN U
1978 IMPALA 305 145HP TURBO350 LG-3 2BBL VIN U
1972 NOVA 350 165HP 350TURBO L-65 2BBL VIN H

 

I knew there was a reason that I was hanging onto that 307 short block that had a good crank and bad cylinder wall but too late now. I think it was cast though.
I've still got the binder with the block and head casting numbers that I copied out of Car Craft for sbc's in the 70's in the bottom of my tool box. That was the first comprehensive list I ever found.

 

well i went back out side to look for more numbers and where the v0318ckh there was also 17r458666 stamped under it. i have looked to see if i could figure out the partial vin but no luck. thanks for help

 

1 = Chevy car
7 = 1977

CKH = 170hp 4bbl 350