Okay, my 1961 C20 has a transplant engine and tranny. Trying to decipher a short Engine ID Number. The Engine Id number is FI205F, or possibly FJ205F. There is no V.I.N. number stamp with the engine ID number which I know is possible. But, the ID number seems to be missing digits and I cannot translate it. The FJ possibility would translate to a 1957 283 but still not enough numbers to decipher more. The Intake Manifold number is 3731398 which belongs to a 11957, 283 CI 4 Barrel which seems correct from what I can see. I have not been able to see the block casting number but will work on it. Dirty engine, no mirror for small space to read number. any thoughts??
No mystery... it's the shortened serial number that Chevy started using in '57. This is a case where the I was used in place of a one - very common in the engine serial number stampings - so it's F1205F, if I'm reading correctly. The prefix did not use two letters. That translates to Flint, MI Manufacturing plant, 12th month, 5th day, and F is the code for a 283 that originally was used in '57 Passenger car service with a Powerglide.
Here's a couple photos from the '58 Chevy Master Parts Catalog, pp. 12-13 for the decoding. [Edit: added a better photo of the codes on p. 13, showing the "F" suffix.]
Of interest (to me at least), the F code was reused by Chevy, starting in '58 for the 348 "W" engine, so that narrows down the year to '57. There will also be a block casting number and date code, both in raised numbers above the bell housing flange, which can be used to verify.
New there was someone with the answer. Tells me that the intake manifold is correct match. Never saw anything about shortened serial numbers but did see something about not having a VIN # means it may have not been produced for use on assembly line to go into a car with a VIN # to match. I have included a better picture of the serial #. I will attempt to see the casting number when the weather gets better here. NOW, could this have been for a Corvette or ? as it has a 4 barrel carburetor on it. I also included a picture of the transmission numbers. Looks like the standard 3 speed. Painted Orange but not sure what original color may have been. Also included a picture of the engine with the 4 barrel and is that PVC in the valve cover? Does not seem like it could be from 1957. appreciate the answer on engine #....
The "F" suffix is not correct for a Corvette engine. My Dad bought a'57 210 brand new, that had the powerpack option - 4bbl carb - and Powerglide, which was not a rare combination.
Never saw anything about shortened serial numbers but did see something about not having a VIN # means it may have not been produced for use on assembly line to go into a car with a VIN # to match. I have included a better picture of the serial #.
!956 was the last year Chevrolet put serial numbers on their engines. From 1957 on the engines just got an "engine code"...Plant, Month, Day and Designation. So all of the regular production 283's coupled to Powerglides built in Flint on December 5th got the same code you have and they headed straight to the assembly line. I'm not aware of any regular production Chevrolet cars or trucks ever having the engine serial numbers match the body serial numbers.
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
