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Intro and engine identification

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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:06 pm

Just introducing myself. My name is David and I have a 76 El Camino and a 77 Chevelle in north Georgia.
Intro and engine identification 21345738970_01603267be_k Intro and engine identification 20911016964_6d70650fff_k

I am in the middle of taking the 350 engine and trans out of the camino and putting them into the chevelle. What I am having trouble finding out is what exactly the engine I have is. I know it isn't original to the camino but the info I am getting is conflicting depending what site I look on. So maybe someone here who knows a thing or two about deciphering the casting and stamp codes can point me in a right direction.

The block has a casting code of 3970014
Intro and engine identification 21533763155_610df88e66_k

The stamp code is V0404TDJ
Can't get a good picture of it behind the alternator

It also has a couple of other cast numbers and the clock showing which shift built it
Intro and engine identification 21522604362_f29693c0e0_k
Intro and engine identification 21346829509_b84d78758c_k

So if anyone can tell me what this motor is I'd really appreciate it.

And thanks in advance. Glad to be here.
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Post by Bruisr Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:08 pm

GOTO: mortec.com they have good info. on GM casting numbers.
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Post by Bruisr Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:20 pm

I find from another website its a 350 from a 68-79, 2 or 4 bolt mains. Mortec site says its a 350 from 70-76 2 or 4 bolt mains.


Last edited by Bruisr on Sat Sep 19, 2015 5:24 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : adding info.)
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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:12 pm

So it seems like it could actually be the original motor that came with the el Camino. I was told it was from an 80's truck but apparently that wasn't right.
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Post by Limey SE Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:16 pm

1970-76 date code ......3970014.... 350 c.i. ...

L27 72 is manufacture date Dec 27th 1972 L = Dec it go's A thru L Jan thru Dec

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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:22 pm

So probably not the original for a 76 car. What about the T3 CONV 2 casting? Any idea what that means?

And which part of the numbers is the partial VIN? Wouldn't that tell me the exact car it came from?
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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:29 pm

Actually that date casting is C27 72. Which is actually my birthday 13 years too early!
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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:51 pm

conv.cab,a/t
175hp
C-10 & 20

These are the stats I've found from nastyz28.com. Idunno what conv.cab means if the motor came from a C10 pickup? Maybe I am assuming wrong.

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Post by pila Sat Sep 19, 2015 11:48 pm

It probably doesn't really matter that much, as long as it's a 350. I have a 305 from an '85 pickup which runs good, but can't even give it away ! Rolling Eyes It was replaced with a 396 big block....

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Post by Limey SE Sun Sep 20, 2015 12:05 am

SonOfTheGrim wrote:Actually that date casting is C27 72. Which is actually my birthday 13 years too early!

Sorry Looked like an L on my monitor LOL
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Post by clanceman427 Sun Sep 20, 2015 12:33 am

According to my Chevrolet By the Numbers 1970-1975, your casting number might be considered a mystery block, and is possibly a 4 bolt main, which would be great. Take a look at the photo, hopefully you can read the text, if not let me know and I'll transcribe it here.

The partial VIN will be the last 6 characters of the stamping behind the alternator on the passenger side block deck surface. Clean the crud off that surface and post the stamping info here and I can try to decode it for you (except for the VIN number of course). I found that spraying that area with PB Blaster or a similar spray penetrant followed up with scrubbing that ledge with a paper towel will help you read it. I take a long flat blade screwdriver to cram a paper towel down behind the alternator and metal fuel line to clean that crud so you can read the stamping.

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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:12 am

Well that's certainly confusing. But that would explain the differing information. Plus I tend to believe things printed on actual paper over random internet facts.

Anyway the stamp # is V0404TDJ. Maybe this will shed some light.
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Post by bracketchev1221 Sun Sep 20, 2015 6:32 am

The TDJ code is the only REAL way to guess at what the engine WAS, considering no changes were made to it or rebuilds. But anyway, TDJ shows 2 possibilities.

TDJ 1972 350 conv.cab,a/t 175 4 C-10 & 20
TDJ 1980 350 van & bus,a/t L LS9 155 4 C-10 to 2500

Considering the 72 stamp on it for a date code, I would guess its the 175 hp 350 out of a 1972 pickup.
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Post by clanceman427 Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:45 am

David I'm sorry you did give the engine code stamping, I should have read your post closer! As already mentioned, looks to be a truck engine:

V=Flint Engine plant
04=April assembly month
04=4th day of April
T=truck

My book doesn't decode the suffix code for trucks, only passenger cars.
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Post by clanceman427 Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:48 am

I wonder why the engine needed special coding if it was going into a convertible cab truck? Those convertible Blazers were nice back then, my neighbor had an orange and white 72.
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Post by bracketchev1221 Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:36 am

I think that means "conversion" like they used the cab and chassis for building like dump bodies, or step vans, utility trucks, etc.
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Post by clanceman427 Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:30 am

Ah that makes more sense. I wonder if there might be an extra boss or tapped hole or something on those blocks needed for conversions that necessitated the distinction. Interesting.
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Post by Bruisr Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:14 am

with what Ray posted I'm inclined to think you may have yourself a 4 bolt main. I have 2 3970010 350 blocks, 1 has 2 bolt mains and the other has 4 bolt mains. I never did go any further to find out where each one came from.
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Post by bracketchev1221 Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:16 am

Bruisr wrote:with what Ray posted I'm inclined to think you may have yourself a 4 bolt main.   I have 2 3970010 350 blocks, 1 has 2 bolt mains and the other has 4 bolt mains. I never did go any further to find out where each one came from.

I would tend to agree on the 4 bolt. My block came out of a 1980 work truck and it was a 350 4 bolt block as well.
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Post by SonOfTheGrim Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:19 pm

Well this is all getting pretty interesting. I really appreciate everyone helping me with this. You can see why I was unsure and couldn't figure out what I have.

What I was told when I got the Camino is that the engine was a 350 out of an 85 truck and that it had been rebuilt and bored over 30. At the time I didn't even know what that meant but considering what we've learned here I don't know what to think.
I'll just assume from here on out that it is a stock '72 350 with 4 bolt??? main and if I ever take it apart or do any performance work to it I'll have to find out what it really is then.

I do like seeing that 175hp listing and 4 bolt means it was either a heavy duty or performance application.
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