Trying to decode an engine.

[rs74]

I bought what I believe is a 283 out of a 66 El Camino some time ago. I went out today and got the numbers off the front passenger pad on the block. They read "F0820DE". I would like to see what year this is. I found a site and if I used the letters correctly in decoding then it says it could be either a 1958 or 1962 283 or it could be a 1968 307. I used the DE to determine this. I am sure that I don't have this right.

Could someone tell me what I have and explain to me how to decode these numbers. Thanks

[waspp]

Engine ID Code Example: V0101CLJ - (V = Plant, 01 = Month, 01 = Day, CLJ = Engine Suffix Code)

DE could be a 1958 283, 1962 283 or a 1968 307. Check the numbers on the back of the block and also the head numbers if original they will have a date on them. The block number on the back also will tell you the year of casting.

[rs74]

The numbers on the back of the block that are on the drivers side are 8849852 and the passenger side is stamped H85 I think. Where are the numbers on the head. The manifolds are still on and it is kind of hard to see.

[waspp]

I'll bet thats a 3 not an 8, 3849852 that would be 64-68 283. Head numbers are inside so you have to pull the valve cover. That however doesn't match the front suffix code so make sure on the numbers sometimes they can be hard to see.

[waspp]

I'll take that back that casting number may go back as far as 1957 so that would work with your front suffix code. Looks like a 283. Do the heads have a square marking on the front with a triangle coming out of the center?

[rs74]

Originally Posted by waspp

I'll take that back that casting number may go back as far as 1957 so that would work with your front suffix code. Looks like a 283. Do the heads have a square marking on the front with a triangle coming out of the center?

The 8 could be a 3. I will have to check in the morning. Here is a photo of a head that looks just like the one on the drivers side. What would it have came out in. I guess there might be a lot of different vehicles.

[waspp]

Thats a power pak head which would indicate higher performance engine (4 barrel carb engine). That also works with other numbers because they indicated a 220 hp engine. It could have been in a lot of things, I think if you research that block casting number a little further and also check the head number (assuming they are original) that will give you the exact year.

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html

[Beetle]

Great site here! Check it out, its how I found out the "350" in the 71 was really a 305...

http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

[rs74]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Great site here! Check it out, its how I found out the "350" in the 71 was really a 305...

http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

Beetle, that is where I found out it may be three different years. Maybe I overlooked something but I couldn't find anything definitive to tell me exactly what it was.