Help me on engine code

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by hatzie

I just saw your comment about the manual transmission tilt column...
Tilt or not the column is an 85-91 part.
Tilt with a manual transmission means it was special ordered. That's a rare piece. I doubt someone went to the trouble of finding a manual tilt column on an auto to manual swap of a K30.

There are two 85 shortbox 4wd’s here on the Island.
Both are Indian Bronze Metallic.
Both 350 4 speeds.
Both have a tilt column.
I looked at both at different times before I bought an 84 short 2wd in the same color. 305 and turbo 350.
Maybe it’s a regional thing. Both sold originally in Victoria.

[hatzie]

You may be right on the regional thing.
Usually the SM465 were Custom Deluxe 8' bed work trucks in this area with no extra expenses like tilt steering. My 85 custom deluxe had a V8 engine and heavier foam in the bench seat. Everything else was base options. I added delay wipers after I bought it.

[3x2GTO]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Decode is from the 1985-1987 GM Light Truck parts books.

Truck VIN:1GCHK34W3FS117369
1= USA build
G= GM
C=Chevrolet
H=9,001-10,000lb brakes & suspension
K=Reg cab 4WD
3=30 series (1-ton)
4=2 door cab
W=LE8 7.4L 4bbl V8
3=checksum digit
F=1985
S=St Louis
117369 is the production sequence number

Engine VIN:CFS117369
C= Chevrolet
FS117369 Matches last 8 of vehicle VIN.

The three letter 1985 7.4L engine suffix codes will not tell you any more than the VIN. I looked up the ones listed in the parts books. All you can find out is they were the LE8 RPO in a 3/4 or 1-ton chassis trucks... VIN W... The alphanumeric prefix to the three letter engine code would be the build date... again not terribly informative.

Transmission ID code:N5P24
N=4 Speed Muncie CH465
5=1985
P=September
24=24th day of month

Some observations. Take them for what they're worth.
It looks like the numbers match your truck with some oddities.

1. The stamped numbers on the engine don't look like GM factory stamps. The 1s have feet, the top loop of the 3 is not rounded, the upright on the 7 has a jog at the bottom, and the rounds on the 9 & 6 are oddly formed straight lines not circles. They also look like shorter and narrower characters than the stamps on the transmission. The GM stamps I've seen are usually block characters with rounded numbers like the ones on your transmission. The casting number would possibly clear this up or it might muddy the waters.
2. The transmission is a 1985 4 speed truck transmission but the build date is September 24th. September 24th would normally be into the next production year... My 2005 K2500 was built in September of 2004. I'm not sure where the cutoff was in 1985. A build sheet from GM would tell the production month and year. If the truck was built prior to the transmission stamp date then the transmission was changed at some time in its' life. Not shocking on a full ton 4wd work truck.

The 1985-1991 hydraulic clutch setup isn't the easiest thing in the world to retrofit.

Look on the LH frame rail next to the bellhousing. If this was originally an automatic truck it'll probably still have the sheet metal retainer for the shift linkage pivot ball riveted on the frame.

Not sure any of this matters that much on a 1985 K30. I'm also not sure why someone would go to the trouble of re-stamping the engine pad in a 1 ton truck unless it was possibly done as a dealership re-power at some time or it was a hot engine or a machine shop that decked the block actually re-stamped it...?

Get the build sheet. I'm interested in what the story might be.

I'll check the frame rail for the automatic retainer, not sure on a sm465 trans, but muncie 4 speeds with date codes from Sept thru Dec were actually built the prior year. Maybe the same on this one? I'll get the sheet and post results. Thanks!

[3x2GTO]

Here's an old picture of the interior, the tilt is there, but kinda hard to see. I've traced the truck back to the dealership that sold it new. The guy I bought it from got it from the original owner, then the truck was stolen out of his driveway and recovered a short time later. The thieves brush painted it brown and hid it in the woods, but the patrol helicopter had no trouble spotting it. After getting his truck back, the second owner was bummed about the paint damage and sold it to me. I agree the VIN stamp on the engine was probably done at a machine shop or dealership. I'll send for the build sheet and post the results. It's not pretty, but I like the old truck and am having seller's remorse even before I have it sold. I may take it down to the farm and put it in long term storage?

[SKR]

If you happen to be passing by a GM dealer, take your VIN to them. I had mine print off a sheet with all the RPO codes and descriptions for most of them. No need to wait for something to be mailed/emailed.

[Keith Seymore]

Looks like a fairly well optioned Silverado trim level truck with a manual trans that somebody stuck an old vinyl seat in.

K

[3x2GTO]

It's a well optioned factory black/silver K30 454 silverado. I put the old style seat in because they are firmer and sit better than the 81? on up. I sent an e mail for the build sheet, but will also try the local GM dealer.

[3x2GTO]

socialmedia@gm.com
7:38 AM (11 minutes ago)
to me

Thanks for reaching out to us, Dave. However, due to the age of your vehicle, we are unable to pull specifics on your vehicle. However, you may reach out to www.gmheritagecenter.com, as they may be able to assist. We hope this helps. Have a great weekend.

No luck on the build sheet yet.

[THREAD ID:9-2JYOLMK]

[hatzie]

Betcha the GM dealer can get one for you.
GM Heritage can if you strike out at the dealer.

[3x2GTO]

The vin wouldn't come up at the local chevy dealer, he even tried to find a previous service report, nothing there either. I've looked it over, no evidence of it ever having an automatic trans, I'm convinced it's always been a 4 speed. Thanks!