Editing Identifying Chevy engines

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==Overview==
Identifying Chevy engines isn't that difficult if all that's needed is to know whether it's a BBC or SBC, or a six or V8, etc. But to get into the finer points requires digging deeper.

==Block casting number==
These are generally by the transmission mounting surface of the block. The date code will usually be on the opposite side from the casting number, but not always. It is common for just the last three numbers to be referred to when dealing with casting numbers, i.e. an "880" block would be c/n 10243880. Usually the last three numbers aren't repeated but there are cases like the SBC head c/n "462" that- for some unknown reason- was reused 5 times! Fortunately this is rare.==Casting numbers==
One of the easiest way to identify a Chevrolet engine is by the casting number (c/n) that is cast into the castings (not stamped). [[Chevy engine casting numbers]] has several sites that are useful.

===SBC engine casting numbers===
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080506065350/www.mortec.com/castnum.htm Mortec SBC], archived
*[http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html smallblock info] from nastyz28.com 
*[http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/sbcid2.htm SBC ID] from www.73-87.com
*[http://www.classictruckshop.com/castgm_smblock.asp SBC casting numbers] from classictruckshop.com
*[http://www.inliners.org/becks/BCN2.html Inline engine casting numbers] from inliners.org

===BBC casting numbers===
*[http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php Big Block Chevy Engine Parts Identification] from nastyz28.com
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080513040220/www.mortec.com/bbc.htm Mortec BBC], archived

==Suffix codes==
Suffix codes are stamped into a small boss on the front passenger side of the block where the head and block meet. There will sometimes be two lines of numbers and letters, later engines had just one line of numbers and letters.
*[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Small SBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com
*[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Big BBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com
*[http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php Suffix and VIN codes] from nastyz28.com

==Date code==
The date code generally has a letter followed by two or three numbers. The letter is the month. The next number or two numbers will be the day of the month. The last number is the last digit of the year. 
Example: D123 = April 12, of a year ending in 3 (1963, '73, '83, etc.)
*[http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php SBC general decoding information]

==Factory hydraulic roller SBC block ID==
Hydraulic roller valve trains were used beginning in 1986. During this period, there were both roller and flat tappet (non roller) equipped engines available.
 
Some blocks came completely machined for a mechanical fuel pump. Others have either partial or no machining of the block to use a mechanical F/P.

It has been said that most or all of the c/n 638 blocks are ready to use a mechanical pump. In EFI applications, these engines will have a block off plate covering the mechanical pump area. Casting number 880 blocks have been seen both with and without mechanical pump provisions, and casting number 148 is mostly without the mechanical pump provision. 

Blocks with a 4" nominal bore diameter (as used on the 350/5.7L SBC engines) that are equipped to use the factory hydraulic roller valve train, are casting numbers: 
*10243880 (common casting number of a 5.7L Vortec engine)
*14011148
*14088526
*14093638

Some of the 1986-up Chevy small block engines used flat tappet (i.e. non-roller) cams. 350 cid/5.7L flat tappet blocks are casting numbers:
*10054727
*14079287
*14088548
*14101148
These flat tappet blocks '''''may''''' have the provisions for a roller cam (i.e. bosses present and drilled/tapped for the spider and for the cam plate, etc.), but also may '''not''' be equipped with the drilled and threaded bosses needed to use a factory roller valve train. In any event, these blocks originally had a flat tappet cam and non-roller lifters, no spider, and no cam thrust plate. These blocks are fine if you don't care about the roller cam. 

'''Note:''' There is a flat tappet block and a roller block that both end with the numbers 148. 14101148 is a flat tappet truck block, 14011148 is a roller provisioned block. 

==SBC Head casting numbers==
*[http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html SBC head casting number "go-to" site] from outintheshop.com
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080518030656/http://www.mortec.com/ MorTec], archived
*[http://chevytech.info/3c10o12.html Head info by c/n, some with photos] from chevytech

==Dampers/balancers==
===SBC===
The earliest SBC 265 dampers had a riveted on crank pulley (red arrow) attached to a steel hub, as shown below.
{|
|[[File:Sbc 265 damper.jpg|thumb|left|500px|SBC 265 damper hub with attached pulley, front]]
|[[File:Sbc 265 damper2.jpg|thumb|left|500px|SBC 265 damper hub, back]]
|}

On other SBC engines, including internally balanced stroker engines, the dampers are neutral balanced. The differences will be in the location of the TDC line, weight, thickness and diameter of the dampers.

On the 400 SBC and externally balanced stroker engines, an OEM damper will have a scalloped portion to the outer ring which is easily seen. Aftermarket dampers usually use a bolted on counterweight, which is also usually easily seen.
[[File:Sbc400balancer.jpg|thumb|300px|left|OEM 400 balancer. Note scalloped outer ring]] <br style="clear:both"/>

===BBC===
The 396/402 and 427 ci BBC engines were internally balanced. The 454 BBC engine is externally balanced. The 454 can be ID'd by the balancer having the inner hub cast with an integral counterweight. A 454 will also have a different flexplate/flywheel, having an added counterweight that is missing from the other displacement BBC engines. Like the SBC aftermarket dampers, the counterweight of a 454 damper might be bolted to the hub.

[[File:Bbc 454 damper.jpg|thumb|left|500px|BBC 454 balancer with inner ring scalloped]] <br style="clear:both"/>

A BBC block may have bores notched to clear the intake valves. Not present on all BBC engines.
[[File:BBC 454 BLOCK NOTCHED BORES.jpg]] <br style="clear:both"/>

===BBC external cues for 2- or 4-bolt bottom end===
While not 100%, a Mark IV BBC engine can sometimes be ID'd for being a 2- or 4-bolt bottom end by looking above the filter mount:

[[File:Bbc 4-bolt vs 2-bolt fittings id.jpg|550px]] <br style="clear:both"/>

[[Category:Identification and decoding]]
[[Category:Engine]]
[[Category:GM]]