Crate engine decoding.

[shawno72]

Ok so I bought this 1970 lwb and the po said his dad had put a crate engine that he got from GM. I believe him but can't find any info on the numbers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Block number VF140027
Head number 14079267

[shawno72]

Couple pics.

[shawno72]

Ttt

[leftybass209]

I also have a crate motor, and haven't found any information to decode it. What I can tell you about mine is, it probably started life as a 350/260hp, and it has the same block casting numbers as a known 350/290hp. I opened mine up and verified it was a 4 bolt main, and the specs for the Goodwrench 350 matched up (mine is at least 10 years old). The only difference between the two crate motors was a cam swap. All other numbers are the same.

Sorry if that doesn't help. Best of luck!

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

I also have a crate motor, and haven't found any information to decode it. What I can tell you about mine is, it probably started life as a 350/260hp, and it has the same block casting numbers as a known 350/290hp. I opened mine up and verified it was a 4 bolt main, and the specs for the Goodwrench 350 matched up (mine is at least 10 years old). The only difference between the two crate motors was a cam swap. All other numbers are the same.

Sorry if that doesn't help. Best of luck!

Thank you, I appreciate the input. I was assured by the po that it was a 4 bolt main, but aren't they all when you buy them

At this point I'm more curious about the valve size in the heads

[leftybass209]

Got you covered there as well. This is an excerpt from the article super chevy did on the gm crate.

"The 76cc chamber cast-iron heads (casting number 83417368) are fitted with 1.94/1.50-inch intake and exhaust valves"

I followed the ideas from the article and had my heads rebuilt with thinner head gaskets and back - cut valves. There's a lot of interesting info in this article series.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/463...-engine-build/

hope that helps.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Got you covered there as well. This is an excerpt from the article super chevy did on the gm crate.

"The 76cc chamber cast-iron heads (casting number 83417368) are fitted with 1.94/1.50-inch intake and exhaust valves"

I followed the ideas from the article and had my heads rebuilt with thinner head gaskets and back - cut valves. There's a lot of interesting info in this article series.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/463...-engine-build/

hope that helps.

Great. Thank you.

[enaberif]

If that VF # is the one behind the alternator that is a strange number.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by enaberif

If that VF # is the one behind the alternator that is a strange number.

It is stamped on the block on the little pad on the passenger side of the engine.

[NorCalC20LWB]

FWIW, I also have a crate engine in my 72 with a front engine stamp of "VH171800". The number on the rear driver's side is 14016379. As near as I've been able to find it is a Mexico made crate motor from around 1978 that was made with both a 2 and a 4 bolt main.

[leftybass209]

You started to get me curious about mine as well again. What I found for yours is for the cylinder head #14079267.

Another forum cited this "per AERA manual for casting numbers.

14079267
14079261
14079287
14079267

79 to 86 350 chevy"

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by NorCalC20LWB

FWIW, I also have a crate engine in my 72 with a front engine stamp of "VH171800". The number on the rear driver's side is 14016379. As near as I've been able to find it is a Mexico made crate motor from around 1978 that was made with both a 2 and a 4 bolt main.

Originally Posted by leftybass209

You started to get me curious about mine as well again. What I found for yours is for the cylinder head #14079267.

Another forum cited this "per AERA manual for casting numbers.

14079267
14079261
14079287
14079267

79 to 86 350 chevy"

Thanks guys. This confirms what I've been thinking, my "crate" engine is far older than I would like it to be

[enaberif]

There should be a 6 digit casting on the heads as well.. For example 333882 .. Should always be a 6 digit number.

Heads are replaceable and don't mean much unfortunately.

What is the number behind the driver side head under all the crud?

[shawno72]

Ok update. The casting number on the back of the block is 14101148. Appears to be 86 and up 350 with a one piece read seal and roller cam I think

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by shawno72

Ok update. The casting number on the back of the block is 14101148. Appears to be 86 and up 350 with a one piece read seal and roller cam I think

Valve cover bolts.. do they go around the perimeter or down the center?

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Valve cover bolts.. do they go around the perimeter or down the center?

Around the perimeter. Here's some pics of what I found

[NorCalC20LWB]

Well now, that is odd. As mentioned above, my engine stamp on rear driver's side is 14016379, so according to your above post my engine is a 267?? Not even sure what that is! The year is correct (I think) and it does have the dipstick in the pan. Information overload....

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by NorCalC20LWB

Well now, that is odd. As mentioned above, my engine stamp on rear driver's side is 14016379, so according to your above post my engine is a 267?? Not even sure what that is! The year is correct (I think) and it does have the dipstick in the pan. Information overload....

Lol I know it's so confusing. I just spoke to the po and he told me that his dad replaced the engine somewhere between 98-02. Good news for me