Engine code info

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
Look on the backside of the block for the casting date.
It should be on the pass side bellhousing top lip.
Thats a Truck code application used on:
*1973 LS-4 454/240HP
*1978 LF-8 454/250HP
*1981 LE-8 454/210HP

[/ QUOTE ]

Block casting 3999289

[Mr70]

That's the casting Number,and was used throughout the 1970's.
Look for the casting Date where I mentioned to narrow down it's heritage/horsepower.

[Dave Rifkin]

I'll have to wait to get that information for myself on the 1st when I go to see the car myself. Is there a book of these codes that I can bring with me to determine what is in the car? Are any of these engines worth a damn or what? I guess eventually I'd want to try and locate a correct LS5 for the car with the proper date codes and casting numbers but that's a long way off.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
That's the casting Number,and was used throughout the 1970's.
Look for the casting Date where I mentioned to narrow down it's heritage/horsepower.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are those codes easliy seen with the engine in the car? I guess I can ask the seller to try and provide them to me; he seems as anxious to find out about the engine as I am.

[Mr70]

Yes...The casting date is raised & in the same relative place as the casting number,only it's located on the passenger side of the block,near the distributor.
If he got the casting number while it's in the car,then he'll be experienced enough to find the casting date also.
It will look something like B 5 73,tell him a hand mirror,rag & light will help.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
That's the casting Number,and was used throughout the 1970's.
Look for the casting Date where I mentioned to narrow down it's heritage/horsepower.

[/ QUOTE ]

Other codes the seller found on the rear of the block:

T12 and B19 73

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That's the casting Number,and was used throughout the 1970's.
Look for the casting Date where I mentioned to narrow down it's heritage/horsepower.

[/ QUOTE ]

Other codes the seller found on the rear of the block:

T12 and B19 73

[/ QUOTE ]

Seller also provided casting number from under the valve cover: 3964290

[Dave Rifkin]

Come on guys someone has got to be able to tell me what these numbers mean. From what I can tell, and what I have been told, the engine was built in February on the 13th or the 19th of 1973. It's a warranty replacement block that was used in truck applications.
I have no idea what the "T12" means that the seller found on the rear of the block and I have no idea about the specifics of the motor (horsepower, compression ratio; etc.)
The head casting number (3964290) shows that they are oval port, closed chamber heads used in 1969-70 on the 396, 402, 427 and 454 engines. They have 101cc combustion chambers. Could these be the original heads for the car?
Any additional information that you could provide would be appreciated; I am scheduled to go look at the car next Saturday and would like to have a better idea of what engine is in the car.

[ZL1.FUN]

Yes these heads are 101cc chamber - I would check the date codes on the heads , Also I do Believe you can use the large and small plugs on these head's if these are vette heads they are the 390hp one's, I would think you got a good shot at these being the right head presuming this was a big block car to begin with sounds like the typical blew the motor, up took off the heads, and found a smoger 454 to put them on and bump up the compression, on a low hp motor

[ZL1.FUN]

I guess that would also mean this car, could be a Ls-5 I would take the numbers on the car, maybe it might also help