ok so I would really like to find out what the engine in my car is from and how much horsepower it was rated at. the casting number is 3970010. the number near the head near the ac is t61537751. if anyone could help me ide appreciate it

 

3970010 is a Basic 350 SBC in the 60s/70s possibly 80s But if I remember right they stopped making that casting number in 76 area

you can check out 73-87.com and find there engine casting section for more info on it

As far as power rating you would have to check the date code out(also on back behind intake/pass head area)

the number in front of passenger head is more of a serial number(to id what it came out of) any chevy dealer could help with that

 

If the engine came in a vehicle ( not a crate motor ) it should have a 2 or 3 letter code.That can tell you exactly what year/ Hp / trans / vehicle was fitted to when it left the factory
Should also a have a 2 letter manu plant code and a production date code
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gineinfo1.html





Number you mention is a partial VIN number of the vehicle the engine was fitted to which is also stamped on the block pad
Production date won't tell you squat.
010 block mentioned here
Could be a 185Hp truck engine;
could be a 370Hp Corvette engine
both available in '69 - '70
Multiple hp combos using the same basic block casting available in some years; especially in the '60's / '70's

 

so where would i find that code that would tell me about the engine hp and vehicle?

 

It gives you an Idea. I dont know about you but I am certified GM Mecanic as is 80% of my family. My father is a Machinst and Knows these motors inside and out also.

If its a late 60s motor its got more power then the mid 70s... It wont tell you exact power but it gives you a better idea yes.

On the side not you will not find out exact power with out decoding all the numbers to find out what car it came in ect

 

Letter code on block pad identifies EXACTLY what engine was in originally , as well as HP , trans and sometimes accessories like PS / A/c
Plenty of online sites have the SBC suffix decoders
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine...ngs.php#suffix
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...es.asp?group=3

'70 Camaro here for example
http://www.nastyz28.com/camaro/camaro70.php#engine

Numbers stamped on pad are the number sequence from the vehicle VIN .You would have to take VIN that to a dealership and hope that GM has records going back to '60's to tell exactly what that chassis was equipped with from the factory
Last time I heard , GM didn't have VIN records from the late '80's
Read
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...gineinfo1.html
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php#ecode

 

Look up the block suffix code here
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine...ngs.php#suffix
http://www.chevy-camaro.com/chevy-ca...gine-codes.asp

 

im sorry i am having such a hard time understanding this but im new at all this. where do i find that suffix code to know what kind of engine it was? all im wondering is if i got ripped off when i bought this car cause i thought the engine was a L98. im wondering if this is better or worse than that kind of engine

 

As shown in the pic above
On the block pad at front.

If the factory style numbers are not there ; block may have been machined or if they are non factory numbers then a rebuilder may have stamped his own code on it for warranty purposes when engine was rebuilt

 

ok so i got the code k05-27-1xb. I cant seem to find it except on the big big block page but i thought it was a 350. any advice

 

im almost positive that the 1 is a 1 but if that is the case that means it a big block. im really confused..

 

With that casting number it's not a big block. Really though, don't get hung up at all on what the engine used to be, and what it used to be rated at. HP rating was for the entire engine package, installed in the vehicle. You've got a changed package, in a different vehicle, so it's not going to make the same power. It's just another 350 now, and whatever it is and however much power makes depends on what parts it has in it and bolted on it now, not what used to be there.

 

Right where I said it would be
http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...-suffix-10.php

XB
1969
350
M/trans
255Hp
4 barrel carb
C-20 to 35 truck engine

Exactly
Engine code is only relevant IF you know engine to be original which is highly unlikely after 40 years