Engine block identification help

[neirfin]

So... I posted a week ago or so about the little hex head screw port above the water pump, and someone said it could be an oil pressure sending port, found on a non-350 engine.

So it got me to wondering... what if this wasn't a 350? would I know? probably not... I had checked the number on the back near the bellhousing (3970010) and one site says 350 for sure (this was why i assumed a 350), another says possible 327 from a car.

The front numbers are not easily visible, but after some scraping it looks like the one says "017CKD" (or at least that's what i think it says). The other has a few missing numbers/letters, but what is visible shows "13**38409" (* = unreadable). There may be an extra * in there... The digits are not part of the truck's VIN so I am sure this is not the original engine (and was told it was a crate 350). It did have Targetmaster 350 valve covers, but from what I could find, one of these numbers would have a "CE" to indicate a crate engine...

Anyone who can help ID this thing? Everything I could find says there should be a letter or more digits prior to "017CKD", but it really doesn't look like it was there...

[gmc684x4]

Almost certainly a 350
A few will be 327

Only way to check pull oil pan many find casting numbers on the crank

Yes it could have been a crate motor in the 70s and could have a truck 327 crank stuck in it as well

[Steeveedee]

If you have a head off, or plan on taking them off, you can measure the bore and stroke that way.

[Warrens69GMC]

Looks to be a 1973 350

[kenn]

Hello, that is a oil passage hole. When I ran boats with timeing gears in them I would weld a fitting into the cover and use that as an oil feed to the gear set due to the angle of the inboard engine.

[RustyBucket]

looks like all 4brl. carb... no indication of 2 or 4 bolt main


CKD 1972 350 175 4 tur hydro trans
CKD 1973 350 200 4 tur hydro, Calif
CKD 1974 350 160 4 T350 NB2
CKD 1977 350 180 4 a/t, high altitude

http://chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro...es.php?group=2

[neirfin]

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

looks like all 4brl. carb... no indication of 2 or 4 bolt main


CKD 1972 350 175 4 tur hydro trans
CKD 1973 350 200 4 tur hydro, Calif
CKD 1974 350 160 4 T350 NB2
CKD 1977 350 180 4 a/t, high altitude

http://chevy-camaro.com/chevy-camaro...es.php?group=2

This is the site that made me wonder, what is this thing really? AFAIK, the truck stayed in California, was made in Fremont... but did not come with an automatic transmission (it is manual and there is no indication it was ever switched over to manual from auto). I was wondering what NB2 means but couldn't find anything.

[neirfin]

Originally Posted by kenn

Hello, that is a oil passage hole. When I ran boats with timeing gears in them I would weld a fitting into the cover and use that as an oil feed to the gear set due to the angle of the inboard engine.

Possible that it was a marine block repurposed for a truck build?

[gmc684x4]

I have seen that plug on several blocks I live in an area marine blocks are highly unlikely

3970010....302.....69....4...Z-28 Camaro
3970010....327.....69....2...Trucks and industrial
3970010....350...69-80...2 or 4

Because they used it in 3 main different configurations have to look at the crank and it was 2 or 4 bolt main block only way to tell is pull the oil pan

http://chevellestuff.net/qd/crank/crank.htm

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by neirfin

Possible that it was a marine block repurposed for a truck build?

Doubt it, my K20 has a 350 from a ‘73 C20 in it that has that plugged hole. Old school racers used to use them as mentioned to lube the timing sets.

[Doug's68SS]

i have Seen the Plug on many 350's it is part of the oiling system and I have always been told if it had that Plug it was a 4 bolt Main engine. No positive but every one I have seen has been 4 bolt main and I have never seen a 4 bolt main without the plug.

[neirfin]

Well I am not going to pull the pan soon, but I know the clutch will need replacing in the distant future... good excuse to pull the engine and work on it outside of the truck... I will assume 350 until I pull the pan.

Just to clarify, if there is a 4 bolt main, it must be a 350 because GM didn't make a 4 bolt 327?

[57taskforce]

Correct, some guys will fight you tooth and nail but GM never built a factory 4 bolt 327, only small and large journal 2 bolts.

For what it’s worth my 350 with said plugged oil galley hole is a 4 bolt block.