KevinS,
Yup, it decodes as a plain jane 350 originally found in a 1973 passenger car equipped with a Turbo hydro. trans and a "California" smog engine to boot.
In looking at your 3rd picture, there appears to be other numbers of a different font/size stamped farther to the left of the original ID number.
That could be a good indication it was rebuilt once already. Only full measurements and deeper inspection will tell the tale.
No idea about the paint, unless maybe "California" designated engines were being painted blue back then.
Maybe another Bolter can shed some light on the subject???
