350 Identification
 

Hey guys I’m new here and I was hoping one of you could help me identify my engine. I’ve seen that using a combination of the casting number, vin, and another number stamped into a flat part in front of the passenger side cylinder head will give information regarding the factory the engine came out of, the year, and the original car/truck it was in.

The only problem is I don’t know how to apply that and what my numbers mean exactly. I’ve seen that the vin is supposed to be number number letter then a string of 6 or so numbers but mine appears to be letter number letter then 6 numbers, so its got me a little bit stumped.

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but this is my first 350 rebuild and I’d like to know a little bit more about my particular engine. The casting number is 3970010, its a 350 from what i believe to be late 60’s to early 70’s and I have included a picture of the codes in front of the cylinder head.

Any help is appreciated thank you guys.

Re: 350 Identification
 

So the easiest thing to do is use the 3 letter code at the end of the sequence. In your case it is TYR.

There are plenty of sites online you can use to decode this suffix. By searching it online, you come up with 2 possibilities:

TYR 1975 350 van & bus L LS9 165 4 C-20 to 3500
TYR 1979 305 conv. cab, m/t U LG9 140 2 C-20 to 3500

Since you know your block casting number, you can rule out the 305 as an option, since block 3970010 would be a 350.

Re: 350 Identification
 

Very cool thank you. Fitting that it potentially came out of a C-20 as its going back into a C-20.

Now in the V1119TYR, from what I’m seeing this means that it was made November 19th? And the V means it was made in Flint Michigan? Is this accurate or is this speculation?

Re: 350 Identification
 

Not only accurate, but bang on! LOL!!
Some links for you.

https://www.mortec.com/

http://www.nastyz28.com/decode.html

Re: 350 Identification
 

Thank you guys so much, I’ll make sure to use those links for future projects. This answers some fun questions, I appreciate you guys helping out the newbie

Re: 350 Identification
 

The block should have a casting date on it as well, which tells you when the block was cast. Example "C 12 6" Which would be month / day / year

C would be the third month of the year (march) 12= day 6 = year of casting of a 010 block....there is a range of years for the 010 block.

So you know the block was assembled on nov 19 but what year ? this is where you look for the casting date on the block would assist you in the year... hope that makes sense.

The assembly date is normally within a couple months of the actual casting date on the block....not always but can be used as rule of thumb.....

Re: 350 Identification
 

I see a code similar to that on the transmission flange that says K 13 5 but its not stamped in its embossed out, so does that mean the block was cast on Nov 13 1975 then put together 6 days later on the 19th?

Re: 350 Identification
 

Are you sure you haven’t done all this before! LOL!!
Those numbers are close.
Normally a week after casting they were installed.

Re: 350 Identification
 

Well, first time on a chevy v8. I did a previous restoration on a 1930 f*** pickup, sorry for the sacrilige. Now my current project is a real truck a 66 chevy c20. So getting used to all the chevy info now.

Re: 350 Identification
 

No need to apologize for restoring any old truck or car. There's some old fords I wouldn't mind having -especially a 30's pickup.

Re: 350 Identification
 

How'd you Like this pair in your grudge!
My buddy down the road a piece.
Old time member on here hb32.
https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/dai...er-516511.html

Re: 350 Identification
 

Very nice picture, here’s my 1930 pickup.

Re: 350 Identification
 

Nice! Does it also have the 010 and 020 stamps above the oil filter mount? I've had several of the mid 70's truck blocks and they were all 4 bolt main with nodular cranks and VERY nicely centered cam bores.

Re: 350 Identification
 

Yes it has a 20 above the oil filter, is there any differences between the 10 and 20?