Engine Suffix Decal

[IronCanine]

I post this as a reference and hopefully a future repository for pics of surviving examples. I really enjoy the factory assembly details and processes associated with our trucks. It is harder to get a handle on these for us (as opposed to Corvette or Camaro guys because of the number of plants and varying plant processes). But the yellow engine suffix decal was the same for all GM makes. It was basically a pull tag for plant workers that denoted the vehicle configuration for which that engine was intended.

Here's a link (there are many others), that is useful in decoding engine numbers and specifically engine suffixes:

https://nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

The yellow decal, like most engine decals has a very low survivability for obvious reasons. Below is a screen grab from the 9k mile 1972 Flint build Blazer currently on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxDWB4Ebwkg

It has the 1972 only version of this decal. A similar example (circled in green) is shown on a Corvette.

The best of these pics is an actual pic from the Flint Truck assembly plant in 1970 that shows a bunch of big truck engines (C50, C60) with decals on both sides of the valve cover (front and back).

Prior to 1972, the suffix decal would have only had the three block letters and no other writing.

If you run across any of these (usually on the front or back of the passenger side valve cover), please post a pic.

[Keith Seymore]

I heartily endorse your project. If there is anything I can add please let me know.

One observation at this early stage: That can't be the Flint engine plant, which only built small blocks (big blocks came from Tonawanda).

Alternatively - I might suggest it is the start of the motor line at Chevrolet Flint Assembly (the truck plant), which is a location where both engines would co-exist.

Engines would be chosen from the various racks, based on the build manifest, and hung here (in order) at the start of the line to be trimmed out and set in the vehicle chassis.

(In other words - they are not going "in" the racks in that photo. They are coming "out" of the racks in that photo).

K

[IronCanine]

Keith...thanks so much for chiming in and for the correction. I went ahead and amended my post accordingly. I always appreciate your input and expertise. You are the go to on how these lines worked!

Maybe we'll get lucky and a few stickers will shake out. There are still a few well preserved specimen out there.

[Mike80D]

Great idea for a thread. My 72 engine, and C10 were both built in Flint. I’d love to find this decal as well as the foil engine family one. They’re both long gone on mine. At some point, the Tonawanda decals were put on, and although they look nice and are readily available they’re not correct. I’ve since peeled them off.

[chewychevy67]

So would 67 thru 72 have this or just the later years?

[82Diesel]

Does the Suffix also match up with the emissions decals? Asking bcuz I'm curious about my 1982. Much newer i know. Just curious bc i have a few images myself of my eng from the assembly line/plant and they had a decal on them with a barcode and suffix.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

So would 67 thru 72 have this or just the later years?

I don't know the extent of this style of decal. But I'm sure GM has this or similar beyond these years. Remember, the GM engine plants were servicing all assembly plants and vehicle models. These decals are not truck specific, but the suffixes would be. This is just a label for plant workers to quickly be able to ID the engine. But Chevelles, Novas, Vettes, Camaros, Impalas...you name it, would have had these decals. Evolving over time to what I'm sure is a bar code today.

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

Does the Suffix also match up with the emissions decals? Asking bcuz I'm curious about my 1982. Much newer i know. Just curious bc i have a few images myself of my eng from the assembly line/plant and they had a decal on them with a barcode and suffix.

I don't think so. Just for reference, here is a suffix list out of a GMC parts book showing the suffix for a 1972 4WD 350 auto with emissions as TFJ and an emissions decal from same with an LM.

[82Diesel]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

I don't know the extent of this style of decal. But I'm sure GM has this or similar beyond these years. Remember, the GM engine plants were servicing all assembly plants and vehicle models. These decals are not truck specific, but the suffixes would be. This is just a label for plant workers to quickly be able to ID the engine. But Chevelles, Novas, Vettes, Camaros, Impalas...you name it, would have had these decals. Evolving over time to what I'm sure is a bar code today.



I don't think so. Just for reference, here is a suffix list out of a GMC parts book showing the suffix for a 1972 4WD 350 auto with emissions as TFJ and an emissions decal from same with an LM.

Interesting. I need to figure out where i can find all those Codes in my Parts & Illustration books or are they part of another one i don't have?

I'm trying to figure out my suffix code on my 1982 k10. They are between 2-3. Any one you know can help me out for square bodies? Sorry to hi-jack the 67-72 post

[Keith Seymore]

Further explanation from a previous thread (note - the part numbers and codes are made up for illustrative purposes):

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Further detail: let's say you order a 350 cu in engine. There is one base part for a 350, but it proliferates on Auto vs manual trans, a/c vs no a/c and California emissions vs Federal.

So there would be eight part numbers within that one engine family (there would probably be this many variations for v6, for 305 cu in, for 454 cu in and diesel as well):

12345678 350 cu in manual no a/c Fed
12345679 350 cu in manual w a/c Fed
12345680 350 cu in auto no a/c Fed
12345681 350 cu in auto a/c Fed
12345682 350 cu in manual no a/c Calif
12345683 350 cu in manual a/c Calif
12345684 350 cu in auto no a/c Calif
12345685 350 cu in auto a/c Calif

An assembly plant broadcast code would be assigned to each part number:

TAA 12345678 350 cu in manual no a/c Fed
TAB 12345679 350 cu in manual w a/c Fed
TAC 12345680 350 cu in auto no a/c Fed
TAD 12345681 350 cu in auto a/c Fed
TAE 12345682 350 cu in manual no a/c Calif
TAF 12345683 350 cu in manual a/c Calif
TAG 12345684 350 cu in auto no a/c Calif
TAH 12345685 350 cu in auto a/c Calif

So the operator goes over to a bay that is full of racks and racks of engines (probably more than you've ever seen in one place in your entire life). You can tell him which one to choose, via the build manifest, and he can remember that he needs an "AF", instead of trying to remember 123455683, or manual/AC/California emissions, since he will do this nearly 500 times in one day.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

Does the Suffix also match up with the emissions decals? Asking bcuz I'm curious about my 1982. Much newer i know. Just curious bc i have a few images myself of my eng from the assembly line/plant and they had a decal on them with a barcode and suffix.

No. The "LM" code is the broadcast code for the specific emission label part number 6271010.

Now that you mention it - that would have been a cool idea (for the label code to match the engine code) but since the part numbers/codes for the engines are pulled in a separate activity from pulling the numbers/codes for the labels it was probably more administration than what we could handle back then.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

I'm trying to figure out my suffix code on my 1982 k10. They are between 2-3. Any one you know can help me out for square bodies? Sorry to hi-jack the 67-72 post

It should be stamped on the pad on the front of the engine block.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

An assembly plant broadcast code would be assigned to each part number:

TAA 12345678 350 cu in manual no a/c Fed
TAB 12345679 350 cu in manual w a/c Fed
TAC 12345680 350 cu in auto no a/c Fed
TAD 12345681 350 cu in auto a/c Fed
TAE 12345682 350 cu in manual no a/c Calif
TAF 12345683 350 cu in manual a/c Calif
TAG 12345684 350 cu in auto no a/c Calif
TAH 12345685 350 cu in auto a/c Calif

The broadcast code technique would be used on any component where there was a lot of proliferation based on option content, ie: engines (as shown above), transmission, rear axle, front axle, radiators, drive shafts, etc.

The engineering specifications guys were not above a bit of humor; we had a little firecracker that had design/release responsibility for the engine cooling system. Her name was Pam something or other.

The specs guys took the biggest radiator she was responsible for and assigned the b/c code "PAM" to it.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

The specs guys took the biggest radiator she was responsible for and assigned the b/c code "PAM" to it.

That is fantastic and hilarious.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I never knew the yellow tags existed. Cool to know. My '68 C/10 Stepside CS148Z123xxx, was optioned with the 292 L6, RPO L-25. The yellow tag was long gone when I bought it 5 years later [1973].
The suffix of ''XAE'' I have never been able to reference. ''UH'' I have on a '67 block I ran for 25 years. Then I rebuilt the XAE block and it's back in the truck.
It is a Fremont -- no air, manual, Calif. Emissions product. Also weird were the 5.25 x 17.5'' 6-lug rims and 7.00x17.5 tires.
Still rolling as my DD with the ''original engine'' after only 404,000 miles.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I never knew the yellow tags existed. Cool to know. My '68 C/10 Stepside CS148Z123xxx, was optioned with the 292 L6, RPO L-25. The yellow tag was long gone when I bought it 5 years later [1973].
The suffix of ''XAE'' I have never been able to reference. ''UH'' I have on a '67 block I ran for 25 years. Then I rebuilt the XAE block and it's back in the truck.
It is a Fremont -- no air, manual, Calif. Emissions product. Also weird were the 5.25 x 17.5'' 6-lug rims and 7.00x17.5 tires.
Still rolling as my DD with the ''original engine'' after only 404,000 miles.

What are you doing,

trying to wear it out?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by davischevy

What are you doing,

trying to wear it out?

That's not possible, is it?

[82Diesel]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

It should be stamped on the pad on the front of the engine block.

K

Mines been gone for a loooong time. Any other way to find it out? I think I've talked to you on eMail before.

[factorystock]

A photo of the low mile 1970 350, TAX. Most likely, decals and codes are year specific.

[IronCanine]

Great pic. I've got that one myself...should've had enough sense to post it. Thanks for posting! Suffixes were definitely year specific, though some codes did repeat, they meant different things in other years.

For example in 1970 TBC could be a 255hp 4BBL 350 for a K10-20 with a manual transmission, but in 1979 TBC was a 165hp 350 found in C10-20.

[factorystock]

Found this video of a GM car assembly plant in '72, shows suffix decals attached to rear of valve cover. 15 seconds into film.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xGInPunKk8

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by factorystock

found this video of a gm car assembly plant in '72, shows suffix decals attached to rear of valve cover. 15 seconds into film.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xginpunkk8

fantastic!!!!

[DeadheadNM]

Neat video thanks for sharing.

[davischevy]

Several neat details in that video. The color of the back side of the wheels, fan clutch, no orange paint on the exhaust manifolds.

[1970cstblazer]

Chevelles and Cutlass assembled together. Great video.