Engine ID Quandry

[bwilli2]

Greetings.

I've inherited a '51 5 window. Before it entered our family, someone stuffed a small block V8 in there. A bit of a hack job, but it does run quite well.

The question is I'm having trouble identifying the critter. There is a stamp in the engine ID location on the front of the block but it doesn't align with any of the typical numbers I can find on:

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
or on
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gineinfo6.html

It's 5 digit: F7IOD, or F7I0D.

It's still in the truck, and I can't quite get to the casting numbers on the back.

The intake manifold has 37 826 GM 11 cast, and the passenger exhaust manifold has 3747038 RH12 cast, both point to either a 283 or a 327.

If anyone has any info that can narrow it down that'd be helpful.

Eventually I'll be pulling it out and have easy access to all of the various castings and other tells, just trying to get a jump on budget concerns.

[dwcsr]

look on the back of the engine near the bell housing on the left side. just below the Dist. there should be a casting number

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

look on the back of the engine near the bell housing on the left side. just below the Dist. there should be a casting number

Alas, the clearance between the firewall and the back of the engine doesn't provide enough room for me to get to the casting numbers.

I was hoping that someone knew the magic to translate the 5 digit engine ID into something useful. Most of the various tables I've found on the net expect a 7 digit engine ID.

And of course http://www.mortec.com is currently down.

No worries. Just trying to get a jump on things before having to pull things apart.

[bwilli2]

Found a posting that says the "I" is actually a 1

http://www.chevylegends.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3327

Puts my suffix as "D" which indeed aligns with a 283.

[OrrieG]

I have a 71 chiltons manual at home that gives a lot of the older engine ID codes for different car models. I will check when I get home tonight. Unfortunately it does not give numbers to truck engines.

[tantrumpipeline]

get a small flex mirror, they are cheap, find them at any tool shop, and you will use it again I guarantee it

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by tantrumpipeline

get a small flex mirror, they are cheap, find them at any tool shop, and you will use it again I guarantee it

Yep, it's on the shopping list... along with a new work-shop, tools to fill it and a grundle of parts.

I did indeed have one at one point in time, but Murphy strikes, and I can't find it when I need it. As soon as I buy a replacement I'll find it for sure.

[tantrumpipeline]

losing, misplacing tools is a never ending frustration, just have to quit letting other people in my garage. 5 window is another on my wish list but I need to get myself going on my 68 before I even think about it, good luck with the truck

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

I have a 71 chiltons manual at home that gives a lot of the older engine ID codes for different car models. I will check when I get home tonight. Unfortunately it does not give numbers to truck engines.

That would be great. I'd be interested to see if it shows up.

As Tantrum suggested, I'm going to grab a cheap extend-a-mirror on the way home to see if that gets me better luck than the square pocket mirror I was messing with last night.

[OrrieG]

Some other clues before I head home. If its a 265 it will not have an oil filter boss. If its a 55-57 283 it will not have side motor mounts. If the valve cover bolts are not aligned (bottom ones wider) the heads are 55-57.

[OrrieG]

By book covers 64-71. The D code lists for a 64 Chevrolet Full Size 283 PG non emissions 2BBL. The rest of the code is F (Flint) 7 (July) 10 (10th day of the month). It should have side engine mounts. If the intake is original it will have the oil fill tube. If I remember right they were rated at 195 HP at the flywheel without any accessories. If you can get the casting number off the back it will cross reference to the block years and CI. The same casting was used for a number of years so, except in special applications, you can't tell the exact year, only confirm the CI. Some were only used for 3-4 years which can help get it close. Next to the big casting numbers there should be a date code that looks like G 11 4 which are the codes for July 11, 1964. Intake will have a date code and casting # behind the carb.

[bwilli2]

Well, my cheapo Harbor Freight mirrors don't get me much closer. Doesn't help that the back of the block is filthy.

At least at my first couple of quick looks.

I am amazed at just how close they got it to the FW.

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

By book covers 64-71...

Thanks for checking it out!

I'm going to guess it's a 58-59. Likely lifted out of some other rig, and dropped straight in to the truck with no mods.

Once my garage cools off a bit (100+ today) I'll give it another look.

[OrrieG]

I found some other information that shows the D code for 58-59 283 2bbl blocks too. HP is listed at 185. to narrow it down you will need to get the date code it is on the passenger side below the back of the head on the bellhousing mount casting.

[55dude]

i just picked up a 56' panel and the motor in it turned out to be a 65' 283 even though the p.o. thought it to be something else because it had finned corvette valve covers on it. the manifold was 57' 283 from the numbers. until you get inside one can get pretty close because i had a 71' 307 that i personally pulled from a friends aunts car that she wrecked and had purchased new (75K when wrecked) and casting numbers said it was a 61' 283 and stamped numbers on front said 71' nova 307!

[bwilli2]

After having about 4 different folks try with the mirror, it looks like I'll just have to wait until I pull it to get a look at the casting numbers.

We'll see what we'll see.

Thanks for all the input!

[bwilli2]

Not quite a year later I've got the cab off and access to the casting #'s.

Took a bunch of cleaner and a wire brush to dig out 50 years of grime. There was no chance with the mirror. So much gunk, unless you knew there were numbers there, you'd never see them.

3756519. Confirms 283 from Late 58 through 62.
Date code G99 indicates a 59.

Kind of interesting, the stamping date is July 10, but the casting date is July 9.

I'm sure everyone was holding their breath for this information. ;-)

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

...you will need to get the date code it is on the passenger side below the back of the head on the bellhousing mount casting.

Bonus points to OrrieG for knowing on this engine the date code is on the passenger side, and not the drivers.

[mr48chev]

I've aimed my digital camera down at the casting numbers on my 71 to get them to show someone what a casting number looks like. I won't say how many shots I had to take before I got one I could read though but it works a lot better than trying to stand upside down with a mirror.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by bwilli2

Bonus points to OrrieG for knowing on this engine the date code is on the passenger side, and not the drivers.

Thanks, and to the poster about the 283 with Vette valve covers, just about every hotrod I have seen with a 283 or 327 has an owner claiming its a Vette motor. So far I figure I have seen about three times as many Vette motors as Corvettes were reproduced.

[bwilli2]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I've aimed my digital camera down at the casting numbers on my 71 to get them to show someone what a casting number looks like. I won't say how many shots I had to take before I got one I could read though but it works a lot better than trying to stand upside down with a mirror.

Heh, that works. I've snaked a USB camera on an extension down a down spout with a fish tape and had better luck than trying to see these while it was in the truck. Less than an 8th of an inch between the distributor and the cab.

Not that it would have made any difference. I wish I took a 'before' picture. The grime and grease was so thick, you couldn't see anything. Here's the after:

[dwcsr]

[mr48chev]

It looks like it is a two barrel 283. Probably good trading material if you don't plan to use it yourself as the traditional car guys and restorers seem to be hunting those.

[mr48chev]

Boy howdy I should have read post #17.

[mbgmike]

Just for info you can pm us and we have every engine casting number ever produced for every make and model even foreign. at least since they started keeping records/ Every intake and every crankshaft also. just for info. you do not have to search all over.