Numbers matching?

[screamin_c10]

You always hear the term "numbers matching engine" what exactly does that mean? Basically what I'm asking is there a matching set of numbers on the engine and frame / vehicle? The more I dig into Bessie the more I am convinced it is the original engine. I spoke with the guy I bought her from and he swears its the original engine as well. Also is there a way to tell if the heads are original to the engine and or vehicle? I've run the casting numbers and they are period correct.


I love both my Cheby trucks, but my background is more Ford than Chevy so please forgive my ignorance... Are these the fabled "Camel Humps" that designate the heads as "Camel Hump" heads?

If this is not the original 327 on the options sticker, and these are "camel hump" heads then this begs the question: Why is there a '67 4 barrel Camel Hump headed 327 in my 1967 C20 farm truck?

Is it possible that the original owner ordered it like this or is it part of the "Custom C & C equipment on the SE sticker??

[Rack Man]

What letters and numbers are stamped on the pad?....front of enigne - passenger side under the AC compressor....

In the world of purist muscle car freaks....matching numbers is have the correct partial VIN stamped on that block somewhere...usually on that pad or in the rough casting by the oil filter...(Not sure if trucks engines ever had that or not)

This link will decipher the basic numbers on the pad: http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

Note: If it has been "decked" the pad numbers usually will be gone from the machining....


Here is an example of engine code w/ partial VIN on pad:

[vectorit]

I'm guessing those heads you have are not the infamous fuelie or AKA "camel hump" heads, since if IRC those didn't come with accessory holes in the front.

As for casting numbers on the heads the early 327 received 461 heads while the 302 and 350 received 186 and 492 castings, respectively. You can typically see these numbers cast between the rocker studs.

Here is a pic of what I would call a "camel hump" casting.

I maybe wrong... Though others will chime in eventually on this I am sure.

[sameyrasmea72]

There truck don"t really have a matching #"s , at least as the VIN # being stamped on the engine. The frame dees has a partial VIN# on it, so it could be a matching # frame.

On the engine pad there should be a 3 digit suffix (like TLM for instance) along with a date code. If that exact date code and suffix is on the protectoplate ( which is ultra rare to have anyway), then that is about as close to a "matching # truck " as you can get.

[sameyrasmea72]

From what little I understand if the CE is stamped on that pad, the the block might have been replaced under Warrantee. CE= crate engine

[screamin_c10]

Thanks for the reponse Vector, the casting #s are 3927186 on the heads...So by the numbers I have a 327 2bolt "Warranty Engine" block and 302/350 heads? in other words a cobbled together mess.... :LOL:

[vectorit]

I bet what happened in your trucks life span, it got the warranty engine as a long block. Then the mechanic took all of the usable stuff off the original broken engine, such as the tin, intake, carb, distributer, and brackets.

The engine could even be a 350, depending on what was ordered as the warranty engine.

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by vectorit

The engine could even be a 350, depending on what was ordered as the warranty engine.

Oh Gawd I hope not! the block casting is 3959512

Looking at MorTec this is what I found:


CASTING#.....SIZE...YEAR...MAIN CAP BOLTS....NOTES

3959512....327...62-67...2...Was also used for some "CE" replacement blocks

Goes right along with the warranty engine theory....

[screamin_c10]

Thanks for the response Vector, the casting #s are 3927186 on the heads...So by the numbers I have a 327 2bolt "Warranty Engine" block and 302/350 heads? in other words a cobbled together mess....

[screamin_c10]

Thanks Rackman, that helped out alot. The numbers on the pad are CE0B01948 which according to the link you gave is a warranty engine. That could explain the "upgraded" heads and 4 barrel setup I guess....

Anyway, thanks again now I have some basis to go by.