350 sbc ID no.

[kbc409nova]

I have a 350 sbc with no. stamped on block
3M0315
OVP
This is supposed to be a Goodwrench
Crate engine. Can anyone give me any specific's on CR, cam, heads. I've checked a bunch of sites on internet with no luck. I may have to go to dealer.
Thanks
Kevin

[Southtowns27]

What's the actual casting number of the block? Heads?

[1911]

from my time at chevy dealerships, I can tell you that I never saw a stamped number on the pad at the front of the pass. side head , on the block, for an over the counter replacement engine. the three letter code stamped on that pad would identify H.P. size, options, [auto trans, etc...] the fact that your cyl case has the three letter code stamped on it tells me that the engine started life installed in a production veh. and tho this isn't a very accurate answer I found that the 70-86 two piece seal type blocks when installed in trucks would usually start the letter code with a "T". but not always. very few engines installed into cars would start there code with the "T". The casting numbers would be nice, however the same casting numbers were used for many, many years, especially on the blocks. if you could tell me if the block is a one or two piece rear seal type, where the dipstick is. what color the original paint is. I can crack open my old dealership books and try to get you some info. cam specs. on factory cams were never listed in the G.M. parts catalog or chassis overhaul manuals unless special high performance [SHP] or offroad performance. any way get me as much info as you can and normally I can track down the year, original options, head specs, and stuff like that.

[Fran Preve]

Engines made by the Tonawanda engine plant ALL started with a "T", folowed by 4 numbers (date/month) followed by a suffix code which identified it's use. In 1970 this changed from a two letter code (except for a few big block which had an R or a H added to designate Rochester or Holley intake), to a 3 letter code with a "C" starting for passenger cars and a "T" starting for trucks. I.E. CTR or TRS. This works thru the 80's (Tonawanda stopped making small block V-8's in 1979.

Your code seems to be one used on crate motors made in Flint or Mexico.

[1911]

fran do you have a listing of the three letter sbc codes. I have to look thru each year of my gm manuals or a pile of motors manuals to search out those codes. I've been looking for an easier way for years. I searched thru 77-84 model year manuals and didn't find the mentioned code. so your explanation makes sense. I am curious tho. I've installed many target engines, fitted & partial engines and have never seen the pad stamped on anything that wasn't installed in a production car. I take that back, the complete LS-6, 7 and engines ordered thru gm performance parts were stamped. and while I've got you what exactly did the number series stamped below the three letter code signify. thought it would be vin but the couple I checked didn't support that. thanks!

[bobs409]

1911,

Give this site a look: http://www.nastyz28.com/spmenu.html

He has suffix codes for small and big block Chevy's.

For casting numbers, Mortec is a good site too. http://www.mortec.com/


Bob

[1911]

thanks! sure wish I'd stumbled onto this site years ago you guy's are great!

[Fran Preve]

1911: see if Bob's site help you. I have a complete listing of all suffix codes around here somewhere but I'd have to find it. Not easy. The only numbers I can recall Tonawanda stamping was the normal suffix code Txxxx***, OR the number designated for an "over the counter" engine a single letter, multiple digit code on partial engines (required by the fed's starting in 1968), this would be a "replacement" motor. We would stamp one or the other but nothing else, we had no idea what the VIN number was going to end up being. After the 1980 I don't know what they used, maybe if I had numbers or codes I might be able to decipher them. Sometimes I know the codes for "EP", or "End Product User" engines.