Is there an way I could get the engine vin off the motor without pulling the motor?

Why yes! take your rocker arm cover off and there will be a code stamped. The code is called the head casting number, don't get it confused with the engine cast number.

http://www.aacncclub.com/CHEVY_CASTI...LOCATIONS.html

Look there for where the casting numbers are. Then look on google for chevy head casting numbers and try to decode it. There should be a prefix or suffix like TVW or something to help. I found out that my 83 camaro had a 1978 350 Truck engine.

Hope that helps.

The suffix number is part of the VIN and it's not under the rocker cover.

Look on a pad in front of the passenger side head. There will be a bunch of stamped numbers. They're usually hard to read but those numbers can tell you what the engine is originally out of.

Casting numbers only give to a rough idea about the item. The same casting number can be used over a number of years and different models.

^^^ He knows his stuff.

This "pad" is part of the block, the same surface that the head is bolted to.

Ok I found two numbers behind the alternator the top number is :V0919FDF and the bottom number is :CEF10813 any ideas as to what it is?

CEF10813 should match the last digits on the car's VIN
C = 1982

V0919FDF

V = Flint engine plant
0919 = Sept 19
FDF = ?

I don't see an FDF suffix code. Recheck the letters. They're not always stamped into the metal good enough to make a good imprint. F could really be a E or a P etc.

it could be EDF because the First F is not pushed all the way down

I don't see a EDF code or any other 3 digit Exx code.

I don't see any code starting with B, E, F, P, R that could even be close to something like that.

here is a picture

At first glance, it's hard to say it's not FDF that's for sure.

OK, did some more searching

FDF
1984 305. 150 HP. LE9. 4BBL. Truck engine found in 1/2 and 3/4 tons.

There has to be another digit after that 3. That would make the E the year code instead of the C. E will mean 1984 which will match the suffix code.

hmm thats weird because I've been told by many people that it was a 350 not a 305

may I ask where you found that information because when I did a search on it I got nothing

The easiest way to determine if it's a 305 or 350 block is from the casting number. The blocks are not interchangeable so if casting number says it was a 305 block, there's no way it can be a 350 engine. 302, 327 and 350 share the same 4" bore castings. In the later years, only a 350 has a 4" bore casting. It's easy to tell someone the engine is a 350 when it's really a 305. Externally, they look identical. Only casting and VIN numbers will determine what it really is.

The casting number is on the engine bellhousing behind the driver's side head. With all the wiring etc in the way, this is sometimes even harder to read. There may also be a 5.0L or 5.7L cast into the side of the block.

I find suffix codes on 3-4 different sites. Google "GM suffix codes" will point you to some of them. Same for VIN and engine decoding.

Ok thanks for all the help. It is must appreciated.

So is it a 305 or 350 casting?

I can't get to the cast number. But I just looked up the intake manifold casting number and it is for a 305 so I guess my motor is a 305.