Engine code info

[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

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
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

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry for all the questions but, what numbers are you referring to? I have the VIN number and the numbers from the tag on the door. Would they help determine anything? I am almost positive this car is an original LS5 car. It has the rear sway bar and the seller has been very honest about the car so far.

BTW: thank you for the reply.

[Mr70]

Those are the heads the LS-5 Corvette would have used,not a truck.
You might want to get the dates on them as well as the intake too.
It sounds like someone put this engine block in outside of the dealership.If it was a warranty swap,it wouldn't be displaying the TRK prefix,which,with that casting date,designates this was probably in a 1973 Chevrolet Truck at one time.Totally a coincedence that is also the abbreviation for the word Truck.The letter T is the important letter here.
T12 is a casting Plant control no. and is found on another engine blocks too.
What interests me is the engine casting date of B 19 73,yet the Tona code is B 13.(Can't cast an engine after it was assembled)..I would double check that to see if there is an error,or if it is correct,then it was assembled in one of the following years.

As far as trying to determine what engine this Corvette came with originally,if you can find the Radiator two letter prefix tag on the tank,relay it to me,as I can tell you what it's engine application would have originally been.
Also relay the Rearend 3 letter prefix,and possibly the Transmission information as well.
If indeed all these 3 components are authentic to this vehicle,then listen to what they are saying.