Engine decoder help.

[Richs'55]

Sorry for posting engine question here (as it is not original 55 engine) but after 2 hrs on the engine forum, I got 11 looks and no responses.
I thin you guys are just more helpful and knowledgeable about these things.
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Pulled the motor out of the '55 I am working on and got to the engine code and date code (I think).

This is what I found on the drivers side rear of the block.


Am I correct in that this is a 305 from around Oct of '77? The date J777 doesn't seem right to me though. J = Oct.
but doesn't the next 2 numbers supposed to be the day? Never saw a moth with 77 days in it. Last 7 is supposed to be the year, correct?

Correct me if I am wrong , as I am no mechanic. I am just a body man myself.

[Rickysnickers]

According to http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html you have a '76-'79 305.

[Richs'55]

Thanks. Got an answer on the Engine forum finally that shed a little more light on it also. It re-confirmed that it is a 305. And yes, the date code is Oct 7, 1977.

Tells you just can't trust any seller what so ever. He told me it was a 350 out of a 87 Chevy C20 4x4. Funny how GM used 10 year old engines in the new 1987 Trucks. Also didn't think too many '87 C20 4x4's came with a 305. I might want to save this engine/ truck combination. It might be a pretty rare production number.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

According to http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html you have a '76-'79 305.

Thanks LOTS of good info, now where do I find info for the 73 to 87 trucks ?

[Richs'55]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Thanks LOTS of good info, now where do I find info for the 73 to 87 trucks ?

There all right there, just scroll down a little farther. But you will need the casting number to look it up.

[solidaxel]

Thanks I found that, I mean the other info, like the SPID