numbers matching? original engine?

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by geunther

I was going to send this to NC_John in a pm, but it pertains to some of this numbers matching stuff. I see that BLU has "BLU" on the firewall in the same place that my truck has "BLK". My truck was originally from NC as well. What I am wondering is whether your truck was built in Baltimore or not? And if so, was your engine produced at the St Catherines plant.

Yes, IIRC, mine is a baltimore truck. The engine IS definitely a St. Catharines engine.

I have a unique connection to the engine. I was born in St. Catharines in Feb of 1970. The engine was built a couple miles down the street just a few months later (St. Catharines was a big automotive town- has the GM engine/powertrain plant, had a Dana rear end plant, TRW was in the same part of town). My uncle was putting pistons on rods in that plant when my engine was built.

I went to college for mechanical engineering thinking i could get a job there but after my second year they were laying off people and talking about moving to Mexico so my career path went in a different direction.

I've pulled out the engine for an LS monster build and sold most of the sbc but kept the block. Dont know what i will do with it but wont ever sell it.

[geunther]

Originally Posted by NC_John

I've pulled out the engine for an LS monster build and sold most of the sbc but kept the block. Dont know what i will do with it but wont ever sell it.

Interesting. If you have access, would you snap a photo of the casting numbers. I found that my casting numbers are on the side of the block versus on the rear transmission mount area. I was thinking this was unique to Catherines engines but not sure if they are all the same.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by geunther

Interesting. If you have access, would you snap a photo of the casting numbers. I found that my casting numbers are on the side of the block versus on the rear transmission mount area. I was thinking this was unique to Catherines engines but not sure if they are all the same.

I can but since photobucket screwed us all over I don't know how to post them. My google drive links of my casting number and matching protecto-plate don't work here.

[NC_John]

Ok, like some of the other guys have shown, here is the casting number off my original block. "K05 08 TBB"

K - St Catharines
05 - May
08 - 8th day
TBB - 1970, 350, 255 hp, 4 bbl, cv/fd (?) manual transmission 3 spd.



Here is my protecto-plate



And here is the close up of the matching engine number.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by geunther

Interesting. If you have access, would you snap a photo of the casting numbers. I found that my casting numbers are on the side of the block versus on the rear transmission mount area. I was thinking this was unique to Catherines engines but not sure if they are all the same.

Ok, I can post some pics. What specifically are you interested in on the block? Which casting numbers?

[bruceman1968]

NC John, Just for fun, I went and decoded the rest of your P-O-P

M0D28 is your transmission code/number
M = Muncie 3 speed
0 = 1970
D = April
28= 28th, April 28th 1970 Build date

DE0511K is your rear axel code/number
DE = TDE(T left off because in 1970 it's redundant) = C10 3:07 open
05 = May
11 = 11th, May 11th 1970 Build date
K = GM of Canada, assembly plant

R = carb code, Rochester

5 = Build month of the Truck, May

Chevy emblem = Manufacture, Chevrolet

Sold to:
Clyde Jones
Route 3
Mocksville, North Carolina
on September 17th 1970

Your transmission code/number will be stamped on your transmission
Your rear axle code/number will be stamped on your rear axle

On the redundancy of the T in your axle code. GM often did this on the P-O-P.
You should have TDE on the rear axle itself.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by bruceman1968

Attachment 1670620
NC John, Just for fun, I went and decoded the rest of your P-O-P

Thanks Bruce. I knew most of that of course but was surprised to see the transmission was a muncie instead of a saginaw like I thought it was.

Of course, that has been since changed to a T-56 and the 3.07 open diff is now a 4.56 eaton posi

Next time I am under the hind end I'll take a look at rear end casting numbers just for giggles (its still the original housing).

[geunther]

Originally Posted by NC_John

Ok, I can post some pics. What specifically are you interested in on the block? Which casting numbers?

I am looking for the casting date. Normally, they were cast into the rear of the block on the bell housing/transmission mounting boss. On mine it is on the right side of the block. Unfortunately, they are partially obscured by the motor mount if the motor is in the truck. I am only trying to see if this was standard for the St Catherines plant for the different location.

First pic is where most SBCs have them, the second pic is where mine is (neither pic is of mine).

Your K05 08 TBB are actually stamped into the block. the date code would be part of the casting process.

[NC_John]

My date codes are also cast onto the passenger side of the block (sorry about the orientation, I didn't see how to fix it in the forum photo album).

50 ft view:



Close up:

[Chevyland]

This is a great thread
Thanks for keeping this one going
Guys👌

Very informative

[geunther]

Originally Posted by NC_John

My date codes are also cast onto the passenger side of the block (sorry about the orientation, I didn't see how to fix it in the forum photo album).

This location must be a Catherines thing. I've not seen it yet on other engine plants.

I read it as "0 E 7". Looks to be May 7, 1970 as the casting date. One more question if you don't mind, what was your build month (door jamb sticker). I would expect it to be May, June, or July.

Thanks for checking this. Its things like this that can prove or disprove if a truck was born with an engine (VIN stamp aside).

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by geunther

This location must be a Catherines thing. I've not seen it yet on other engine plants.

I read it as "0 E 7". Looks to be May 7, 1970 as the casting date. One more question if you don't mind, what was your build month (door jamb sticker). I would expect it to be May, June, or July.

Thanks for checking this. Its things like this that can prove or disprove if a truck was born with an engine (VIN stamp aside).

The metal door jamb plate or the blue decal on the door itself?

[bruceman1968]

Originally Posted by geunther

One more question if you don't mind, what was your build month (door jamb sticker). I would expect it to be May, June, or July.

His Proteco plate says May