How to tell the year of a block?

[jimmybeus]

Ok here are my next questions. I got another motor for my 86 k10. The p o said he thought it was a 72 but not for sure. I can see the numbers on the front and back of the block and just wondering if they can tell what year it is. I am also thinking of putting on a gear driven timing set. Anyone running with one and if so how do you like it or performance advantages. I am mainly going for the noise but any advantages will be a plus. Thanks in advance.

[country29]

the castng number on the back of the block right behind the left head will casting number, write it down and go to mortec.com and it will tell u year size and any specifics to that casting. As for the gear drive I have never ran 1 but know several people that did, if you are racing its 1 thing but those that ran them on the street ended up taking them back off for 1 reason or another, get some or opinions but if I were using it for the street I would get a good double roller timing chain, and put the extra money somewhere else. Just my .02

[jimmybeus]

Thanks country29. My block has the casting #3970010. It says it is a 69-80 350 2 or 4 bolt main. I guess the po was right.

[Doug Garland]

Casting is on one side of back of the block, while the date is on the other. That is, unless you have a McKinnon block, and they sometimes have it's date, and shift codes stamped on the side for some years. The front pad will have the engine build date, and actual application data, if it hasn't been decked. Some BB engines only have the application stamp on the front pad, while the VIN is stamped on the oil filter flange. I have a 1969 McKinnon block, 010 like yours, with a CE code, which is a Service replacement. It is the earliest one I have ever seen.

[jimmybeus]

So I found some numbers I found a V0914CJD. I know the V stands for the Plant built at the 09-sept and the 14 is the day. Does the CJD stand for the year and if so does anyone know what year it is? Another number I found is also on the front of the block passenger side. I cant really see the first one or two numbers but the ones I can see are: xx001L165.
It almost looks like x5001L165 but not sure. The number on the head: 3973487. are these a 202 fuelly head? Any help much appreciated. It is kinda nice to know what year of parts I need to order. Thanks

[Doug Garland]

V is Flint Engine plant
0914 is Sept. 14
CJD is the application-
C is Car series, a truck would have T
CJD is a 1971 Camaro Chevelle Nova 350-270 hp.
The other numbers should be the VIN of the original car it came out in. The 487 heads are comparable to 041 heads or 186. They came in both 1.94 and 2.02 versions. Yours more than likely have 1.94/1.5 valves. The only heads that are fuelie heads came out on fuel injected Corvettes, and most were 461(x) castings. There were earlier versions as well. Everyone calls "Double Hump" heads Feulie heads, but almost all are not.

The Vin should look something like:
VIN code format
Example: 11A100001
(1 = Chevrolet, 1 = 1971, A = Atlanta, 100001 = Production sequence of vehicle VIN)

[jimmybeus]

So if I need to order parts for the block I should get 1971 chevelle parts or as long as I say '71 I'd be ok? I am looking at water pumps right now and the '86 and this one look exactly the same other than the second weephole looking deal on top of the pump as well as bottom. Is there a difference? Thanks for the info

[Doug Garland]

Yes, a 1971 350 is all the same, be it from a Chevelle, Camaro, Nova, etc. All parts would be the same. The water pump should be a long pump, and should be the same as the 86 model.