Today, as I was deburring a mid-'70s 400 block, I remembered a way we use to id small-block Chevys in the early '70s when I first got my start.

I don't know if it will work on the late-model 305-350 quick id question but if some of you guys post some pics (I don't have a digital camera or scanner) perhaps we might figure something out.

On OLDER small-block Chevys, just above the water pump leg on the passenger side of the engine, right next to the machined pad where the numbers are stamped, is (was) a "rib" that stuck out from the front of the block.

If I remember correctly (over 30 years ago), 265 and 283s had a space between the "number pad" and the rib that you could easily put a finger in.

It seems the 327 blocks had something similar but not quite as large (maybe big enough to put a "pinky" in).

One block had a filled area but was angle cut.

I don't recall 307s.

The 400 I'm deburring has a rib but it is filled about halfway up.

I've got (on an engine stand) a 350 block (late '70s four-bolt) that doesn't have a "rib" at all but the number pad is jutting out all by itself.

It is similar to the 350 in my '88 GTA which can be seen from the top when looking under the hood.

Since I don't currently have easy access to a 305 block, maybe some of you guys could take a couple of pictures of 305s, in the above mentioned area, as well as other known small-blocks (of different sizes) and post them here so we can try this theory out.

There may be no difference, but if there is, it could save some people a lot of time and possibly a lot of money before getting ripped off on a fake 350.

Remember, its been 30 years but I think there may be something to this.

jms