55.2-59 What year sbc 350 is it?

[1955 3100]

I'm trying to figure out what year my 350 is. I want to get a new intake gasket set. The numbers on the block are 10066036 and I haven't been able to find a year or group of years for it. I did find this page but it doesn't say the year.
https://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

Thanks for any help.

[1955 3100]

Maybe I'm over thinking it. Are all intake gaskets the same for the 350's?

[Warrens69GMC]

You will have to get the casting date and or suffix code to determine year it was made.

[geezer#99]

Casting date will be there but no suffix code.
Crate engines didn’t get one.

[1955 3100]

Thanks for the reply. I'm having trouble finding the date code. I see "333" "3GM" "00" and
"10066036". Thats what I can find, is any of that the date code?

[geezer#99]

Have you searched on the code location section on mortec.
There are other date locations in there.

[mr48chev]

What is the suffix code of the serial number stamped on the pad in front of the right head.

[mr48chev]

That engine comes out as a built in Mexico 2 piece rear main Target master 350. Fleet replacement engine for trucks with Two piece rear mains but a pretty solid base to build a nice engine.

Most likely it won't have a serial number of suffix number on the front unless the mechanic stamped it. Then again it could have the work order number from the shop stamped there with a date.

As for gaskets it should just be a regular early 80's 350.

[1project2many]

Maybe I'm over thinking it. Are all intake gaskets the same for the 350's?

Wanted to address this as it's a little tricky. Intake gaskets have to match the cylinder heads. 1955 to 1986 are all very similar and most aftermarket gasket sets for these years have all the right gaskets. There are some differences in the end gasket design depending on whether or not the intake and block are built for road draft tube (55-62) or not (63+). In the '80s GM moved away from using cork manifold end gaskets and started using RTV. Some gasket sets tell you to use RTV, for the later engines. Some don't.





In '87 GM released cylinder heads with 4 center bolts at a different angle than older heads. These heads are easy to identify because the valve covers have 4 bolts in the center instead of around the outside. Ports are still roughly the same location and sizes, but the center bolt holes in the gaskets are oval shaped. Some aftermarket gaskets have "extra big" ovals so the gaskets can be used from '55 to '95.





'96 is the beginning of a whole new generation of heads. There are only 8 intake bolts, the ports are in a different location, and the gaskets are much thicker. If you happen to get an intake set for a '96 to '01 SBC it is not at all compatible with '55-'95 heads.

[mr48chev]

That is a good explanation. Also the intakes do not directly interchange between the styles of heads. The go fast boys found that out when they bought the later heads to put on their earlier blocks and the bolt holes where the "Oval holes" in the gaskets are don't jive with the older style intakes.

[1955 3100]

Ok, done with the holiday's. So I had a chance to go to the garage and found the stamp code for my engine. I appreciate all of your help. Here is the stamp code. 1M1204 1VP. I just want to understand how the stamp code works. Not sure what the "1" is for but the "M" is for Mexico, The month is "Dec", day is "the 4th. Not sure what the 1VP means. Am I correct on the parts I posted?

[1955 3100]

The more I read the more I over think this haha. 1M1204 1VP could it be 1 is for Jan, 20 is the day, 4 maybe the year?

[geezer#99]

That’s just a serial number you’re looking at.
The date code of the block isn’t stamped on, it’s cast on.

[1955 3100]

OK Thank you