Where can I find the engine ID stamping number on a 305ci TPI please ?

 

On a 305 and almost any other small block there are 2 places to find numbers. The first place is on the passenger side deck surface in front of the cylinder head. If you car is 86 or older it will be hidden by the alternator, if your car is 87 or later it is under the AC compressor if you car is so equipped.

The best place to look is on the back of the block near the bellhousing. This will list the casting number and on later blocks the displacement is listed.

 

Thanks for the reply. I found the number where you said - hidden behind the alternator on the passenger side deck surface.
There are two numbers here. A large one, and below it, another one in smaller digits. What is this smaller number? I was wondering if this should appear on our UK registration licence document? Does this form part of the engine ID number? as I'm not too sure if a couple of the digits are 1 or / It looks like this:
/HN/04565 or 1HN104565

 

The number you found will only tell you if an engine is the original one to the car or not. the last 6 digits in the number would match the last 6 digits of the VIN number of the car the engine originally came in. This number is actually a sequence number, it means this engine was in the 104,565 car of that model and year produced. The number on the bellhousing will tell you what the block actuall is. The 1HN confuses me however. Maybe someone that knows more than me will chime in here.

 

Hi,
I'm having trouble finding my engine number on my 1990 305tbi.
Could you be more specific as to where to locate it on the rear near the bell housing? can't see much from underneath due to the flex plate.
Or should I look under the a/c compressor? Do I need to unbolt the compressor to locate this number? Or, will the title have the engine number on it? The car is original, and stock.
So If its on my title this would be the easiest option for me right now.
Thanks in advance,
Andy

 

The rear casting number will be visible on the driver side, behind the valve cover looking from the top down (under the hood). This identification will have the casting number and will say 5.0 or 5.7.

The front identification number will be on the passenger side, on the block in front of the cylinder head (the surface on the block the cylinder head mates with). This will be hard to see with the A/C compressor there. You may need to move the compressor out of the way.

Start with the rear casting numbers. If it says 5.7, it's not the original motor. If it says 5.0, it might be the original motor, then proceed to look at the front identification number and verify it matches to the vehicle's VIN.

 

Perfect. Just what I needed! Thanks, man!
I Will let you know what I find.
Cheers

 

Thanks,
I believe I have it. The A/C compressor needed removing as you mentioned. Still had to use a microscopic camera to find it. After much sanding and filing these are what I came up with: VO824BLD 2LL204380
Does this look like an engine number should to you?
I'm checking with you the sequence of the suffix, the arrangement of letters and numbers, and the total letters and numbers.
If these are correct and make sense, then I haven't missed any out.
Thanks,
Andy

 

The first series of numbers/letters tells you that the engine was made in Flint, Michigan on August 24th and the engine configuration when built was a 1990 305ci 170hp TBI motor. Whether or not it still has the same internals, who knows, but that tells you what it was when it was made.

The second series of numbers/letters should match to the end of the vehicle’s Vin number, if in fact it’s the original motor that came in the car.

Based on the fact that your car is a 1990 and it originally came with a 305 TBI motor, it’s pretty likely this is the original motor.

http://www.1968ss.com/sbcsuffix.asp

https://nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

 

Thanks again for your help.
Andy