engine number gurus
05-06-2007, 09:38 AM
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Re: engine number gurus
That's not a csting #; it's the stamping code. It tells what kind of car or truck it came in.
It tells NOTHING WHATSOEVER about what's happened to that block since then; and since probably less than 1% of all 350s from before about 1980 are still stock, it is of NO VALUE WHATSOEVER in determining anything about "performance". You can take the lowliest 165 HP 350 2-barrel and turn the block into a 600 HP race motor; or you can take the block from a 1970 Z28 LT1 and turn it into a slug with dished pistons and extra deck clearance, one 624 smogger head and one 882 head, and a poorly reground 929 cam, and get something EVEN WORSE than that original 165 HP pig.
Check here for what little info that number contains. http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php I suspect you'll find that the block's original configuration was ANYTHING BUT "high-performance", most likely it was one of those legendary smogger turds from the mid 70s, like the vast majority of 350 blocks. But that doesn't tell you THE LEAST LITTLE BIT about what it is now.
It tells NOTHING WHATSOEVER about what's happened to that block since then; and since probably less than 1% of all 350s from before about 1980 are still stock, it is of NO VALUE WHATSOEVER in determining anything about "performance". You can take the lowliest 165 HP 350 2-barrel and turn the block into a 600 HP race motor; or you can take the block from a 1970 Z28 LT1 and turn it into a slug with dished pistons and extra deck clearance, one 624 smogger head and one 882 head, and a poorly reground 929 cam, and get something EVEN WORSE than that original 165 HP pig.
Check here for what little info that number contains. http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php I suspect you'll find that the block's original configuration was ANYTHING BUT "high-performance", most likely it was one of those legendary smogger turds from the mid 70s, like the vast majority of 350 blocks. But that doesn't tell you THE LEAST LITTLE BIT about what it is now.
05-06-2007, 10:55 AM
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Re: engine number gurus
Ok, so if the info is right, it is a 1970 350 4bbl with 255 hp. Originally came in a C4500. Is this correct?
so what I do know is it has headers, hi flow cat, and a set of flowmasters. Also has a edlebrook intake a a piece of crap 650 holley carb that has a hesitation, proably needs a rebuild.
so what I do know is it has headers, hi flow cat, and a set of flowmasters. Also has a edlebrook intake a a piece of crap 650 holley carb that has a hesitation, proably needs a rebuild.
05-06-2007, 11:38 AM
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Re: engine number gurus
No....
T = Tonowanda plant
0731 = assembled July 31
CKL = either a 73 350 installed in a Camaro, Malibu, or fullsize; or a 262 in 1975 (which would actually have only come in a Monza)
Sounds pretty much like THE BLOCK was part of some typical mid-70s smogger turd, like is typical for most typical 350 blocks, typically. Very ordinary and unremarkable in any way. Very typical. Of course, what THE MOTOR is, is anybody's guess.
So at this point, what difference does it make to the issue at hand, what kind of car THE BLOCK casting came out of? If the pistons, heads, and/or cam have been changed, then it is no longer whatever that stamping code represents, regardless. What REALLY matters is what pistons are in it, what cam it has, and what heads are on it, not what car THE BLOCK (which has no connection to "performance") was originally in.
Forget the stamping code. Sounds to me like THE MOTOR has tuning issues. The stamping on THE BLOCK won't help you with that.
T = Tonowanda plant
0731 = assembled July 31
CKL = either a 73 350 installed in a Camaro, Malibu, or fullsize; or a 262 in 1975 (which would actually have only come in a Monza)
Sounds pretty much like THE BLOCK was part of some typical mid-70s smogger turd, like is typical for most typical 350 blocks, typically. Very ordinary and unremarkable in any way. Very typical. Of course, what THE MOTOR is, is anybody's guess.
So at this point, what difference does it make to the issue at hand, what kind of car THE BLOCK casting came out of? If the pistons, heads, and/or cam have been changed, then it is no longer whatever that stamping code represents, regardless. What REALLY matters is what pistons are in it, what cam it has, and what heads are on it, not what car THE BLOCK (which has no connection to "performance") was originally in.
Forget the stamping code. Sounds to me like THE MOTOR has tuning issues. The stamping on THE BLOCK won't help you with that.
05-06-2007, 01:47 PM
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Re: engine number gurus
Thanks, tuning issues I can deal with. The engine has been bored and I was TOLD the heads were ported. The cam is a .50 lift and you can tell. It sounds damn good. But during start up I didnt have a timing light, so I figured the timing might be a little off. After the stumble I just spin. I will take to shop to have timing set this week. Also need rockers tightened, wish I had time and place to do it myself.
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