The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Mystery SBC engine

I'm trying to ID an engine for a friend. Its an old one, maybe a 283 or 327. Can anybody ID this thing with the numbers I found?

Front passenger's side block: T0417DH

Rear of block by bellhousing: 3914638

Possible date code: C 22 8 (extra space between 22 and 8)

Engine has 2 sets of heads. Couldn't get to the numbers. I thought that some SBC heads could be ID'd by the geometric shape cast on the ends of the heads.

The heads on the engine have the top half of an H cast into the ends. 1/8 wide vertical hump, 1/4 inch space, then another 1/8 wide vertical hump. 3 or 4 bolt holes on ends of heads. Camel Humps?

The other set of heads has a rectangle with a pyramid sitting on top cast into ends. 1 or no bolt holes on end of heads. 283 Power-Pac heads??

Thanks
Chip

To check your block number's, go to Mortec.com . Head catsing #'s are between the rocker arms and under the head along intake runners and inside one of the water jacket holes. The #'s will be the last three digits of the casting number. I think "Power Pak" heads are cast with "896" .

Mortec says that the block casting number is a '68 327 chevy truck engine. Anything special about this mill?

Is the block casting number a fore-sure reference? This motor turned up in a '79 camero, and the seller said its a 283. If you de-stroke a 327, doesn't it become a chevy 302???

I'd like somebody to explain the 283-302-327 combos for me...

Big power, no whammies,

chip

chip: No mystery! Your block is '68 327, 2 bolt main, standard truck engine. Manufactured 03/22/68
The production code on RH front of block give year/model/options specific information.

Since GM used some block configurations covering a several year spread, while others were year specific, just depends.

Easy ID is the GM/casting number you found on the bellhousing flange. This number is actually called the "suffix code", and is bore diameter specfic, for each block. Example would be:3932386, for a 4 inch bore block, mfgd from 1968 thru 1974. The same block was used in the 302, 327, and 350, which are all 4 inch bore blocks. HP ranged from 250 thru 360 ponies. These blocks could be had in either 2 or 4 bolt main configurations also.

With this number and the date code it's an easy ID. Also sometimes the production code on the RH front, has been removed as when the block surface was "decked", milled to either correct warpage or increase compression. So sometimes all you have to go on is the suffix and date codes.
Clear as mud!!

Post head casting numbers. They can be found topside, under the valve cover, midway thru the rockers between the studs and springs. They are the same as the blocks, and were sometimes used over a period of time. Remember, date code and casting numbers will reveal all. Good Luck.

Think Chevy! :rolleyes:

Chiphead, there is something different about your '68 327.....it's a medium journal engine. This means the rods and mains are larger than earlier 327's and 283's.
The 283 was a smaller bore, so you can't build a "true" 283. You could make it a 302, but why?

Just bore the block and get a 350 crankshaft, balancer and pistons. Main and rod sizes are the same and you get more cubes out of the deal. It doesn't cost any more to build a 350 than any other small block Chevy..... .

Use "open" chamber heads (#441 is a good one) to keep the compression ratio down, get a decent camshaft and you will have a good running SBC.

Good Luck, whatever you decide

Thanks guys!!!

This is actually a friend's girlfriend's car. She bought it because she wanted an old Camero, and to quote her "Its got a blue sparkley paint job" The guy told her it was a 283, but its a 327. What gives?

Looks and sounds like a retired race car. The 327 might be a rattle-can rebuild with a hot cam. At 1000 RPM, that 327 is going Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug. Its rumpy as h@ll. But the radiator needs flushing and the oil is dirty, so I'm suspicious.

She wants me to help her get it back on the street. And I'm used to working on Stovebolts, Mopar, and Pontiac. I don't have much hands-on with a SBC.

Are there any good websites for second-gen Cameros?? I know you guys don't want me plugging this place up with her hot-roddery.

Thanks again,

Chip

Try this one out: Blue moon .
It has a message forum for hot rod questions (although not quite as good as this one! :rolleyes: ) . Some good info. there as well as pics!
Remember, there are lots of SBC experts here (no, not me) so ask away. Or better yet, have your friend get her an AD truck..........waaaaaaaaaay more cool than a Camaro :p .

Good news there aren't any shims under the main caps

These things are pretty straight forward

Okie tune-up turn in the mixture screws all the way and then out

The usually need a water pump or will

If it's been sitting a long time look at the grommets and power brake check valve
Bet it needs shocks
If you are gonna do the rad get it up on a rack and put a set of freeze plugs in

That's the NOT NORMAL Stuff ...... Have fun!

LOL!! You've got me there, JH. No shims is a good thing. BTW, that 235 is coming along, but slowly.

Is a 750 vac sec carb & performer RPM intake too big for this 327? Its running rich. Any idea on jet sizes?

What weight oil? Several people have told me to run Castrol 20W50 in that V8.

Thanks
chip

Chiphead,

I'd use a 600cfm instead, performer RPM or just the plain performer. See the 750 a li'l bit bigger than needed. If the engine is apart, why not changing the crank for a 350 one and new pistons for a 350 engine, that one seems logical to me when You say You do not like the 327. Have in mind that everything else is just the same, basic diff between a 327 and a 350 are the crank and pistons.Of course refering a 327 68 and up.
Just check to see, but the vast majorities of the 350 cast cranks have a cast number finishing in 2442. A forging would be better, but more $$.
As for the jets, for a 600 cfm holley, if using cast iron exaust manifolds in a 327/350 I'd start with 65/72, and check to see how it turns out. If it has headders, try 64/71 or 64/70. Guess it's pretty close to the perfect set up.
The 20w50 is a cool oil if You are in a hotter place. Ocassionally I use always this weight on my cars here.
Just my 0.02.

At one time the heads had one tall hump and one shorter hump these were standard valves. The ones with two large or tall humps were the big valve heads. I would check the casting numbers on them befor I let them out of sight.

chip if you want a 283 i got 1 new parts fresh machine work not assembled call me and let me know how the 235 is comming .you need to take that blue cover off your car so i can see it

Chiphead;

You asked about the 283-302-327 stuff. Add the 307 in there for good measure. The 283 and 327 came first. The 302 was made because of the Trans Am racing series limit of 305 Cubic inches. Chevy took the 327 block (4" Bore) and added a 283 short stroke crank (3") and made the 302. The 302 was only put into the 67-69 Z28 Camaro's. Chevy then took the 283 Block (3.875 bore) and the 327 crank (3.25 stroke) and made the 307 which was the entry V-8 engine in nearly all Chevy's including pickups for several years in the late 60's and early 70's. Funny thing is that Chevy really liked using parts in various engines. The 307 V-8, the 230 L6, and the 153 L4 all used the same bore and stroke.

Hope that clears it up a bit

Dude

well, sorta, 302's were small journal in 67 only X28's 68-69 were large journals(medium to you guys that worry about 400sbc's)
68-69 327's had steel cranks in 'em.307's had cast but were the same dimensions, both are large journals.

and,yeah, the 750 carb is WAY too much for about any relativly stock sbc on the street...

sorry, fat fingers....

meant to say "Z28" not x28.......

Good info, guys.

Right now the girl is trying to decide if she can afford to keep the car. It needs rims & tires and lots of TLC before she can put it on the road.

Assuming this 327 engine is from a '68 truck, how much power did it make stock? What SBCs had the GM "pink" rods in them? Did the stock '68 rods have the spurt holes in them for cam lube?

What weight of oil should she run? 10W30 or 20W50?

thanx again

chip