I got my camaro about a month ago. The guy that sold me it had no clue. All he knew was it was a 350 bored out .060 and it had a turbo 350 tranny hooked up. Other than that nothing. It's swapped in from something else, so I don't have a clue what parts to order for the engine before ripping it all apart (one or two piece rear main seal for example) I've been looking for the casting numbers that are supposed to be on the block, in front, behind the alternator. I cant find it. I know there's one on the back of the block on the passenger side but from what I gathered that wouldn't tell me everything I need to know. Here's what it says on mortec

I can't see a ledge and there doesn't seem to be a number over the timing cover. Could the corvette heads be blocking the view?

Can I get all the info I need from the casting numbers on the back?

 

The casting numbers should be on the left rear ledge of the block (driver side).



You should be able to find the most significant data with that number.

 

The casting number Vader shows tell you everything you need to know. The numbers in the deck that you're looking for are pretty much meaningless, unless you're trying to build a numbers matching car. They're usually obliterated if the block is decked during rebuilding anyway.

 

I found the engine number dead easy, only to be told [as above] that its useless, you really do need the one thats shown nice and clearly in the pictures, wish i seen those pix before i went looking for mine.

 

All the casting number tells you is basically what the block is 74-83 350 etc. To find out what kind of vehicle the original block came out of you need the suffix code. There's a bunch of numbers stamped into a pad on the block in front of the passenger head. Many times they're hard to read because the stampings are full of dirt, paint, etc. If the block has ever been decked then there's a good chance the numbers are gone.

Block castings or suffix numbers don't mean much if the engine has been rebuilt. You'll never know what might be inside the engine after a rebuild.

At least with a casting number you can find out if it's a small bore 305 or a 4" bore 350 block.

 

I guess I need both the casting number and the suffix code to figure out what the engine came out of. I know the engine has been rebuilt but I still want to know where it came from. Is it possible that the corvette heads are covering the pad on the block. I need to pull the valve covers again to find the what year they are, but the valve covers are center bolt. I figure they're probably early 90's.

I know it's hard to see the numbers with the engine in the car but I should still be able to see them from up top with enough light right?

 

all could find on the drivers side was a casting that said

2
gm 5.7LG
SGI

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edit: on further inspection I found what looks like g194 angled just above that casting. Would I be correct in assuming thats a casting date? If so what does that equal to?

 

No

 

I guess the pad was machined down and the code is gone. Now I just wish I could find the full block casting number. Where else would it be?

 

I found a casting of 638 on the front drivers side of the block below the power steering pump and a time code casting on the under side of the block where the mechanical fuel pump sits. What can anyone tell me about these?

 

14093638...350...87-95...2 or 4...Roller or flat tappet cam

 

yeah, it took me some time to find it on mortec's web site. It also says it's a one piece rear main seal. Looks like it's time to tear the engine down and find out what the hell is in there.

 

You could remove a rocker cover, and use a flashlight to peer through the drainbacks or push rod guide/clearance holes to see if there are dog bones holding the lifters in place. If so, it's a factory roller setup. You woun't know about the bottom end until you open it. If it started as a 2-bolt, it could have been converted during the rebuild. If the decks were milled, the sequence numbers would be gone. The crank casting number should reveal the data on it, since it could have been changed during rebuild as well.