Identifying Chevy engines
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==Overview== | ==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. | 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. | ||
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==Suffix codes== | ==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=Small SBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com | ||
*[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Big BBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com | *[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Big BBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com | ||
| − | == | + | ==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). | ||
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| + | ===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. | ||
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| + | ===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] | ||
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==Factory hydraulic roller SBC block ID== | ==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. | Hydraulic roller valve trains were used beginning in 1986. During this period, there were both roller and flat tappet (non roller) equipped engines available. | ||
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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. | 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 that are equipped to use the factory hydraulic roller valve train are casting numbers: | + | 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) | *10243880 (common casting number of a 5.7L Vortec engine) | ||
*14011148 | *14011148 | ||
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*14093638 | *14093638 | ||
| − | Some of the 1986-up Chevy small block engines used flat tappet (i.e. non-roller) cams. 350 cid flat tappet blocks are casting numbers: | + | 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 | *10054727 | ||
*14079287 | *14079287 | ||
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
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| + | ===SBC Head casting numbers=== | ||
| + | *[http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html SBC head casting number "go-to" site] | ||
| + | *[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] | ||
==Big block== | ==Big block== | ||
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