what year motor do i have - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

creeldaddy · 05-20-2007, 02:48 PM

i actually have a 72 truck but everytime i go to get a part orielys find it on a 78 4x4 1500 anyone know where the numbers are on these motors. one person said on a plate on the pasenger side of the water pump. i found the plate but doesnt have any #s even used a brush incase grime was covering it

any help would be appreciated

benoit454 · 05-20-2007, 02:55 PM

Yea the flat area is behind the alternator, if you have a v8.

Also on back of the block, right behind the driver's side head, that's a casting number. That will break it down somewhat. The numbers on front better tell you what it is, if you get them you can find out what it was in originally, hp and other things about it. it will also tell you pretty much the exact year.

The numbers on the front are stamped/recessed into the flat place, they are called suffix codes, it will be 2 or 3 digits, combination of letters and/or number like V03 then a bunch of numbers. The bunch of numbers is the partial vin of the vehicle it came in originally.

Say your truck is number 15000 off the line, the vin ends in that, and if it's the original motor, it'll say 15000 on the block.

The numbers behind the driver's side head are raised, sometimes people take and clean it off, then slap some clay on it to get the impression, then determine the casting numbers from it.

Mortec.com I think it is, is a good site for casting numbers, I have a link somewhere's to it, and chevymania.com has suffix codes, head, intake, carb, crank, block casting numbers.

Hope that helps.

Curly86 · 05-25-2007, 11:35 AM

The best way to find out what u have is get the number of the block behind the driver side head it is on the flat part just before where the trans bolts up

Curly86 · 05-25-2007, 11:39 AM

The best way to find out what u have is get the number of the block behind the driver side head it is on the flat part between the the head and where toe trans bolts up

benoit454 · 05-26-2007, 04:51 PM

I disagre with it being the best....

and here's why.

I have right now a 3970010 block casting number, had 2 of them actually.

Search it and see what you find...

69-80 305, 302, 327, 350, all kinds, all years. Only way to determine exactly which is with the front number/suffix code. The back helps alot and gives you a good start but to be sure you need both.

Alot of the times there's a year stamped on back of the block near that casting number.

magnethead · 05-26-2007, 10:59 PM

the code for my big block was on the pad behind/above the water pump. I think small blocks had them on the pad behind the alternator?

bigblock79 · 05-26-2007, 11:08 PM

small blocks will be on a pad . when you stand in front of the truck will be the left side right in front of the head.

benoit454 · 05-27-2007, 09:42 PM

exactly it's right behind/under where the alternator would be, passenger side under the head.

05-20-2007, 02:48 PM	#1
creeldaddy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: columbia, tn Posts: 48	what year motor do i have i actually have a 72 truck but everytime i go to get a part orielys find it on a 78 4x4 1500 anyone know where the numbers are on these motors. one person said on a plate on the pasenger side of the water pump. i found the plate but doesnt have any #s even used a brush incase grime was covering it any help would be appreciated

05-20-2007, 02:55 PM	#2
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: what year motor do i have Yea the flat area is behind the alternator, if you have a v8. Also on back of the block, right behind the driver's side head, that's a casting number. That will break it down somewhat. The numbers on front better tell you what it is, if you get them you can find out what it was in originally, hp and other things about it. it will also tell you pretty much the exact year. The numbers on the front are stamped/recessed into the flat place, they are called suffix codes, it will be 2 or 3 digits, combination of letters and/or number like V03 then a bunch of numbers. The bunch of numbers is the partial vin of the vehicle it came in originally. Say your truck is number 15000 off the line, the vin ends in that, and if it's the original motor, it'll say 15000 on the block. The numbers behind the driver's side head are raised, sometimes people take and clean it off, then slap some clay on it to get the impression, then determine the casting numbers from it. Mortec.com I think it is, is a good site for casting numbers, I have a link somewhere's to it, and chevymania.com has suffix codes, head, intake, carb, crank, block casting numbers. Hope that helps. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

05-25-2007, 11:35 AM	#3
Curly86 You want it there when??? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisburg Ky Posts: 393	Re: what year motor do i have The best way to find out what u have is get the number of the block behind the driver side head it is on the flat part just before where the trans bolts up __________________ 1986 Silverado Flatbed 400 SB with 350 turbo 1997 Ford Explorer with 302 mydrive to work ride 1978 Gmc Midas RV 21ft with 46,000 actual miles 2003 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 327 and Tweety Bird Yellow Big Sandy Survivor 09 Trucks in the Blue Grass Survivor 09 TNCTC Streetcruzin

05-25-2007, 11:39 AM	#4
Curly86 You want it there when??? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lewisburg Ky Posts: 393	Re: what year motor do i have The best way to find out what u have is get the number of the block behind the driver side head it is on the flat part between the the head and where toe trans bolts up __________________ 1986 Silverado Flatbed 400 SB with 350 turbo 1997 Ford Explorer with 302 mydrive to work ride 1978 Gmc Midas RV 21ft with 46,000 actual miles 2003 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 327 and Tweety Bird Yellow Big Sandy Survivor 09 Trucks in the Blue Grass Survivor 09 TNCTC Streetcruzin

05-26-2007, 04:51 PM	#5
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: what year motor do i have I disagre with it being the best.... and here's why. I have right now a 3970010 block casting number, had 2 of them actually. Search it and see what you find... 69-80 305, 302, 327, 350, all kinds, all years. Only way to determine exactly which is with the front number/suffix code. The back helps alot and gives you a good start but to be sure you need both. Alot of the times there's a year stamped on back of the block near that casting number. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

05-26-2007, 10:59 PM	#6
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	Re: what year motor do i have the code for my big block was on the pad behind/above the water pump. I think small blocks had them on the pad behind the alternator?

05-26-2007, 11:08 PM	#7
bigblock79 67 Chevy Stepside Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesville NC Posts: 836	Re: what year motor do i have small blocks will be on a pad . when you stand in front of the truck will be the left side right in front of the head. __________________ 1967 Chevy stepside 1976 BIG DOOLEY 454 turbo 400 4:11

05-27-2007, 09:42 PM	#8
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: what year motor do i have exactly it's right behind/under where the alternator would be, passenger side under the head. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

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