How do I Identify my vortec? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 07:42 PM

This is my first time dealing with a newer engine like this. I just picked up an '86 3/4 ton K5 blazer and it came with what the guy said was a "newer vortec motor with 30,000 miles" he said he got it from a salvage yard. Well now he wont call or email me back so im trying to figure this out on my own. Casting number as far as I can tell is 10243880. I got this number off the back passenger side of the motor.

Things Id like to know:

Year
Displacement
What it was used in
Any other nifty tid bits?

What I do know:
the heads have saw tooth markings
the intake has 4 bolts on each side.
driving 300 miles with it sitting on a tire in the back of lifted K5 blazer tied down with only bailing wire to the spare tire rack isnt a good Idea... but it gets the job done.

As always thanks in advance everyone.

Pop's C-10 · 07-22-2012, 08:10 PM

Are tha intake bolks angled & straight down..if they straight down..you have a vortec..

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 08:12 PM

Straight down. Im pretty sure I have a vortec I just want to figure out what year it is and what it might have come out of. the biggest reason is I have a guy who might want to trade for an 8.1 vortec but he needs to know what year.

mongoose · 07-22-2012, 08:18 PM

its a 350..

pull the pan and check the mains/rods.

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongoose

its a 350..

pull the pan and check the mains/rods.

Ok thank you. What am I looking for? Any ideas what year?

oldspowered67C10 · 07-22-2012, 08:33 PM

Is there a intake manifold on it?

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldspowered67C10

Is there a intake manifold on it?

yup

ka_jd7and1 · 07-22-2012, 09:03 PM

10243880 comes back to 96+ roller cam 350.

Sawtooth casting marks and 8 intake bolts sounds like Vortec heads.

Does the block have a casting date on it?
Posted via Mobile Device

67lowered · 07-22-2012, 10:29 PM

here's some info on vortecs

http://www.chevymania.com/tech/vortec.htm

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka_jd7and1

10243880 comes back to 96+ roller cam 350.

Sawtooth casting marks and 8 intake bolts sounds like Vortec heads.

Does the block have a casting date on it?
Posted via Mobile Device

these are all of the identifying marks I know about. Is that the date stamp?

blazerboy_4life · 07-22-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka_jd7and1

10243880 comes back to 96+ roller cam 350.

Sawtooth casting marks and 8 intake bolts sounds like Vortec heads.

Does the block have a casting date on it?
Posted via Mobile Device

these are all of the identifying marks I know about. Is that the date stamp?

**Captainfab** · 07-22-2012, 10:59 PM

Both the block and heads will have the casting date on them

As far as I know all L31 Vortec long blocks are the same, aside from the 2 bolt/4bolt mains. The only differences I am aware of are with the PCM and the wiring.

**Captainfab** · 07-22-2012, 11:07 PM

Yes the 2nd pic is the date code. It's hard to see in the pic, but it looks like it starts with a K which is the 11th month which is of course November. The next pair if numbers is the day of the month, and the last number is the year.

blazerboy_4life · 07-23-2012, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yes the 2nd pic is the date code. It's hard to see in the pic, but it looks like it starts with a K which is the 11th month which is of course November. The next pair if numbers is the day of the month, and the last number is the year.

it looks to me like k.03.03 which would be November 3 2003 right?

mongoose · 07-23-2012, 01:23 AM

96-2000

ka_jd7and1 · 07-23-2012, 12:17 PM

I think your last digit is an 8. See how the 3 next to it has a flat top?

blazerboy_4life · 07-23-2012, 07:48 PM

Its very hard to tell. The pictures really do look as good as it does in real life. 8 makes more sense. Mileage doesn't really make much sense though. he said it was 30,000. Anyway thanks for the help narrowing this down everyone!

07-22-2012, 07:42 PM	#1
blazerboy_4life 70Custom10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 322	How do I Identify my vortec? This is my first time dealing with a newer engine like this. I just picked up an '86 3/4 ton K5 blazer and it came with what the guy said was a "newer vortec motor with 30,000 miles" he said he got it from a salvage yard. Well now he wont call or email me back so im trying to figure this out on my own. Casting number as far as I can tell is 10243880. I got this number off the back passenger side of the motor. Things Id like to know: Year Displacement What it was used in Any other nifty tid bits? What I do know: the heads have saw tooth markings the intake has 4 bolts on each side. driving 300 miles with it sitting on a tire in the back of lifted K5 blazer tied down with only bailing wire to the spare tire rack isnt a good Idea... but it gets the job done. As always thanks in advance everyone.

07-22-2012, 08:10 PM	#2
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Are tha intake bolks angled & straight down..if they straight down..you have a vortec.. __________________ 1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse

07-22-2012, 08:12 PM	#3
blazerboy_4life 70Custom10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 322	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Straight down. Im pretty sure I have a vortec I just want to figure out what year it is and what it might have come out of. the biggest reason is I have a guy who might want to trade for an 8.1 vortec but he needs to know what year.

07-22-2012, 08:18 PM	#4
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? its a 350.. pull the pan and check the mains/rods. __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.

07-22-2012, 08:33 PM	#6
oldspowered67C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cherry Valley,Ca Posts: 468	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Is there a intake manifold on it?

07-22-2012, 09:03 PM	#8
ka_jd7and1 is a fungineer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 795	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? 10243880 comes back to 96+ roller cam 350. Sawtooth casting marks and 8 intake bolts sounds like Vortec heads. Does the block have a casting date on it? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 2003 S10, 2.2 auto- the daily driver, currently with a 2"/2" drop and some minor engine bolt-ons 1978 Impala 2-door, race 350/T350 - the new race car, in progress 1968 Chevy C10 longbed- 3/5 drop, currently undergoing a heart transplant

07-22-2012, 10:29 PM	#9
67lowered Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Carson City Nevada Posts: 68	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? here's some info on vortecs http://www.chevymania.com/tech/vortec.htm

07-22-2012, 10:59 PM	#12
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,251	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Both the block and heads will have the casting date on them As far as I know all L31 Vortec long blocks are the same, aside from the 2 bolt/4bolt mains. The only differences I am aware of are with the PCM and the wiring. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

07-22-2012, 11:07 PM	#13
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,251	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Yes the 2nd pic is the date code. It's hard to see in the pic, but it looks like it starts with a K which is the 11th month which is of course November. The next pair if numbers is the day of the month, and the last number is the year. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

07-23-2012, 01:23 AM	#15
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? 96-2000 __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.

07-23-2012, 12:17 PM	#16
ka_jd7and1 is a fungineer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 795	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? I think your last digit is an 8. See how the 3 next to it has a flat top? __________________ 2003 S10, 2.2 auto- the daily driver, currently with a 2"/2" drop and some minor engine bolt-ons 1978 Impala 2-door, race 350/T350 - the new race car, in progress 1968 Chevy C10 longbed- 3/5 drop, currently undergoing a heart transplant

07-23-2012, 07:48 PM	#17
blazerboy_4life 70Custom10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 322	Re: How do I Identify my vortec? Its very hard to tell. The pictures really do look as good as it does in real life. 8 makes more sense. Mileage doesn't really make much sense though. he said it was 30,000. Anyway thanks for the help narrowing this down everyone!



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