Editing Identifying Chevy engines
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Identifying Chevy engines isn't that difficult if all that's needed is to know whether it's a BBC or SBC, or a six or V8, etc. But to get into the finer points requires digging deeper. | Identifying Chevy engines isn't that difficult if all that's needed is to know whether it's a BBC or SBC, or a six or V8, etc. But to get into the finer points requires digging deeper. | ||
− | ==Block casting | + | ==Block casting number== |
− | + | These are generally by the transmission mounting surface of the block. The date code will usually be on the opposite side from the casting number, but not always. It is common for just the last three numbers to be referred to when dealing with casting numbers, i.e. an "880" block would be c/n 10243880. Usually the last three numbers aren't repeated but there are cases like the SBC head c/n "462" that- for some unknown reason- was reused 5 times! Fortunately this is rare.==Casting numbers== | |
− | + | One of the easiest way to identify a Chevrolet engine is by the casting number (c/n) that is cast into the castings (not stamped). [[Chevy engine casting numbers]] has several sites that are useful. | |
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===SBC engine casting numbers=== | ===SBC engine casting numbers=== | ||
− | *[http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm | + | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20080506065350/www.mortec.com/castnum.htm Mortec SBC], archived |
− | + | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html smallblock info] from nastyz28.com | |
− | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html | + | |
*[http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/sbcid2.htm SBC ID] from www.73-87.com | *[http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/sbcid2.htm SBC ID] from www.73-87.com | ||
− | *[http://www.classictruckshop.com/castgm_smblock. | + | *[http://www.classictruckshop.com/castgm_smblock.asp SBC casting numbers] from classictruckshop.com |
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*[http://www.inliners.org/becks/BCN2.html Inline engine casting numbers] from inliners.org | *[http://www.inliners.org/becks/BCN2.html Inline engine casting numbers] from inliners.org | ||
===BBC casting numbers=== | ===BBC casting numbers=== | ||
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*[http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php Big Block Chevy Engine Parts Identification] from nastyz28.com | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php Big Block Chevy Engine Parts Identification] from nastyz28.com | ||
− | *[http:// | + | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20080513040220/www.mortec.com/bbc.htm Mortec BBC], archived |
==Suffix codes== | ==Suffix codes== | ||
Suffix codes are stamped into a small boss on the front passenger side of the block where the head and block meet. There will sometimes be two lines of numbers and letters, later engines had just one line of numbers and letters. | Suffix codes are stamped into a small boss on the front passenger side of the block where the head and block meet. There will sometimes be two lines of numbers and letters, later engines had just one line of numbers and letters. | ||
− | + | *[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Small SBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com | |
− | + | *[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Big BBC suffix code list] from Chevymania.com | |
− | + | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php Suffix and VIN codes] from nastyz28.com | |
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− | *[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Small SBC suffix code list] | + | |
− | *[http://chevymania.com/partsid/suffix.cfm?block=Big BBC suffix code list] | + | |
− | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php Suffix and VIN codes] | + | |
==Date code== | ==Date code== | ||
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The date code generally has a letter followed by two or three numbers. The letter is the month. The next number or two numbers will be the day of the month. The last number is the last digit of the year. | The date code generally has a letter followed by two or three numbers. The letter is the month. The next number or two numbers will be the day of the month. The last number is the last digit of the year. | ||
− | + | Example: D123 = April 12, of a year ending in 3 (1963, '73, '83, etc.) | |
− | + | *[http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php SBC general decoding information] | |
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==Factory hydraulic roller SBC block ID== | ==Factory hydraulic roller SBC block ID== | ||
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These flat tappet blocks '''''may''''' have the provisions for a roller cam (i.e. bosses present and drilled/tapped for the spider and for the cam plate, etc.), but also may '''not''' be equipped with the drilled and threaded bosses needed to use a factory roller valve train. In any event, these blocks originally had a flat tappet cam and non-roller lifters, no spider, and no cam thrust plate. These blocks are fine if you don't care about the roller cam. | These flat tappet blocks '''''may''''' have the provisions for a roller cam (i.e. bosses present and drilled/tapped for the spider and for the cam plate, etc.), but also may '''not''' be equipped with the drilled and threaded bosses needed to use a factory roller valve train. In any event, these blocks originally had a flat tappet cam and non-roller lifters, no spider, and no cam thrust plate. These blocks are fine if you don't care about the roller cam. | ||
− | + | '''Note:''' There is a flat tappet block and a roller block that both end with the numbers 148. 14101148 is a flat tappet truck block, 14011148 is a roller provisioned block. | |
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==SBC Head casting numbers== | ==SBC Head casting numbers== | ||
*[http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html SBC head casting number "go-to" site] from outintheshop.com | *[http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html SBC head casting number "go-to" site] from outintheshop.com | ||
+ | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20080518030656/http://www.mortec.com/ MorTec], archived | ||
*[http://chevytech.info/3c10o12.html Head info by c/n, some with photos] from chevytech | *[http://chevytech.info/3c10o12.html Head info by c/n, some with photos] from chevytech | ||
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On the 400 SBC and externally balanced stroker engines, an OEM damper will have a scalloped portion to the outer ring which is easily seen. Aftermarket dampers usually use a bolted on counterweight, which is also usually easily seen. | On the 400 SBC and externally balanced stroker engines, an OEM damper will have a scalloped portion to the outer ring which is easily seen. Aftermarket dampers usually use a bolted on counterweight, which is also usually easily seen. | ||
+ | [[File:Sbc400balancer.jpg|thumb|300px|left|OEM 400 balancer. Note scalloped outer ring]] <br style="clear:both"/> | ||
− | + | ===BBC=== | |
− | + | The 396/402 and 427 ci BBC engines were internally balanced. The 454 BBC engine is externally balanced. The 454 can be ID'd by the balancer having the inner hub cast with an integral counterweight. A 454 will also have a different flexplate/flywheel, having an added counterweight that is missing from the other displacement BBC engines. Like the SBC aftermarket dampers, the counterweight of a 454 damper might be bolted to the hub. | |
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− | ==BBC | + | |
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− | The 396/402 and 427 ci BBC engines were internally balanced. The 454 BBC engine is externally balanced. The 454 can be ID'd by the balancer having the inner hub cast with an integral counterweight | + | |
[[File:Bbc 454 damper.jpg|thumb|left|500px|BBC 454 balancer with inner ring scalloped]] <br style="clear:both"/> | [[File:Bbc 454 damper.jpg|thumb|left|500px|BBC 454 balancer with inner ring scalloped]] <br style="clear:both"/> | ||
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A BBC block may have bores notched to clear the intake valves. Not present on all BBC engines. | A BBC block may have bores notched to clear the intake valves. Not present on all BBC engines. | ||
[[File:BBC 454 BLOCK NOTCHED BORES.jpg]] <br style="clear:both"/> | [[File:BBC 454 BLOCK NOTCHED BORES.jpg]] <br style="clear:both"/> | ||
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===BBC external cues for 2- or 4-bolt bottom end=== | ===BBC external cues for 2- or 4-bolt bottom end=== | ||
While not 100%, a Mark IV BBC engine can sometimes be ID'd for being a 2- or 4-bolt bottom end by looking above the filter mount: | While not 100%, a Mark IV BBC engine can sometimes be ID'd for being a 2- or 4-bolt bottom end by looking above the filter mount: | ||
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[[File:Bbc 4-bolt vs 2-bolt fittings id.jpg|550px]] <br style="clear:both"/> | [[File:Bbc 4-bolt vs 2-bolt fittings id.jpg|550px]] <br style="clear:both"/> | ||
− | + | [[Category:Identification and decoding]] | |
− | + | [[Category:Engine]] | |
− | + | [[Category:GM]] | |
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