I have a chevy small block that i was told it was a 400 but the block casting number from what I can mke out of it, it may be a 350. The engine ID number that is stamped onto the front of the engine is VK2318O0. I know that the V is the Flint engine plant and the K231 is the date code of Nov. 23, 1981, but I can not find the final code, 8O0 anywhere. Can anyone tell me what those three characters represent so I can get some more info on this engine. Thanx

 

Have u read this article?

http://www.yearone.com/yodnn/tech/ve...2/default.aspx

 

What's the casting number?

 

VK2318O0 doesn't look like a proper suffix number. That looks more like the last of the vehicles VIN number.

A proper suffix number can tell you a lot more about the engine. A simple casting number can determine if it's a 350 or 400 block (or maybe even a 305). Never go by what someone "tells you" without first checking casting numbers. I could sell you a 265 telling you it's a 400.

Does the balancer have a cutout in it for external balancing? That's the easiest way to see if it's a 400 or not. There's a possibility of using an aftermarket internally balanced 400 crank which would use a 350 balancer but the seller would know about that and probably tell you plus the cost of the engine would be much higher. With an externally balanced 400 crank, it could be a 383 or a 400. Then you would need to know the block casting number to see which block it is.

 

We can't make all of it out. looks like 14_16__9 is what i can sorta make out. looking at casting number list We are guessing its 14016379. which would make it a 350

 

Screw the suffix codes. Look at the casting #.



There are exactly 3 400 casting #s; 330817, 3951509, & 3951511. If it isn't one of those, it isn't a 400.

Yes the block in the pic is one of them.

No the one you have is not. If you paid 400 money for it, you got hosed.