Noob Q: How do I identify my engine?

[Magnum44357]

I have always assumed what my engine was, but I finally looked up the VIN only to find out it sais my truck is a 1976 400sb (stock) where my title sais 1973. I had always assumed it was a 1973 but I guess its not. (the title has the correct VIN on it btw)

Because of that, I'm just going back and double checking things I thought I knew. (transmission, engine, etc) The title sais its a C10, but the VIN identifies it as a K10 haha... So my title is all messed up in other words...

What The title sais- 1973 C10
What The VIN sais- 1976 K10 with a 400sbc stock

So that all being said, whats a quick easy way to verify that I do have a 350... I'd bet my life that I do, but I'm second guessing now hahaha I'd just google all the numbers I can find on the block, but the whole things covered in mud lol... So wheres the location of a good identification number?

Thanks as always - Magnum

 

[RetroC10Sport]

There's a pad on the right (passenger side) in front of the head that has a lot of stamped numbers and letters, copy those numbers for me and especially the 3 letter code. I can tell you what you have.

 

[Magnum44357]

Hmm, I didn't see the "pad" you were referring to... Like I said the whole engine is caked with mud and grease so its difficult to see things like this. I did however find a number on a brass plate that is on the Driver side, towards the back/bottom of the block. The number reads 244306 if I'm not mistaken thats the casting block number right? Are the numbers your referring to on the actual head or the block?

Thanks - Magnum

 

[HotRodPC]

The #'s Retro is talking about, are behind the alternator, on the block that sticks out past the head surface on the passenger side. Many times the # will start with a VO###### ***.

 

[Magnum44357]

I think I see the numbers you guys are talking about now. Right behind the alternator, and they are written on the top of a ledge? If so, I'll have to go out and look in the morning, because there is alot of gunk around it, and the paint is gone. I can only make out 3 numbers...

And according to a site I found, the numbers 3970010 I also found towards the back of the driver side, on the top of the block, are the casting numbers... And this site said its either a 302, 327, or 350. But again, I'll try to unearth those numbers in the morning with some cleaner lol

 

[HotRodPC]

It's only 302 and 327 in 68 and 69 IIRC, and 3970010 is the most common 350 block found thru 79, and comes machined in both 2 and 4 bolt. Good news is, safe to assume you have a 350, bad news is, noway to tell for sure if it's a 2bolt or 4 bolt main wo pulling the pan as if it really matters.

If you're concerned about # of mains, just get you a 6 bolt main LS motor. All LS motors are 6 bolt main.