Engine origin research question

Is there a way to track the exact car my engine is from? I am putting a 1968 327 into my '51 this weekend and I would like to have some provenance on said engine. According to Mortech, it is a 300 horse 327 ci from 1968. But is there a way to find the specific application, i.e. exact model it came from? The casting numbers are: block - 3914660; heads - 3917291; intake - 3919803.
Any help available from the vast store-house of knowledge (and BS) here on the HAMB would be appreciated. Thanks and I'll see you at Lone Star.

 

Any numbers stamped on the pad on the front of the engine?

 

The engine is at home right now but I do remember a "T15" on the back of the block. I'm not sure what you mean by "pad" of the engine.

 

right front of the block , where the head bolts to the block and right next to the water pump there is a pad with a series of numbers...unless the block has been decked....that should be able to tell you what you want to know

 

Yep! That's the block's vin # If it looks painted over or has a little rust, wire wheel it or wire brush it to get a good reading.

 

Thanks guys. Now, after I am armed with that information, where can I go to find the specific application?

 

just post the number here , someone will know or have a book.

 

Just tell us know what those numbers are.. I'm sure someone in this great group of guys can tell you what car it came from.

 

Okay, here are the numbers on the front of the motor: 18D39417 and TI220HF. Thanks for the help.

 

<TABLE width="100%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>HF </TD><TD>1965</TD><TD>327 </TD><TD>h/p </TD><TD></TD><TD>300 </TD><TD>4 </TD><TD>Vette</TD></TR><TR><TD>HF </TD><TD>1966</TD><TD>327 </TD><TD>Powerglide, A.I.R. </TD><TD></TD><TD>275 </TD><TD>4 </TD><TD>full size</TD></TR><TR><TD>HF </TD><TD>1969</TD><TD>350 </TD><TD>Powerglide </TD><TD></TD><TD>275 </TD><TD>2 </TD><TD>A F X</TD></TR><TR><TD>HF </TD><TD>1978</TD><TD>350 </TD><TD>LM1 </TD><TD></TD><TD>170 </TD><TD>4 </TD><TD>Firebird</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Check the dates on the engine it will tell what the application was. A late month in the year (August or later) of the build was usually used for the following year.

A good site for this stuff is..
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php

 

"T" means the engine was built in Tonawanda NY.
1220 means the production date was 12(Dec) 20(th day).
HF is the indicator for year/s, engine type, carburetion/injection, dual exhaust and transmission type.

 

Great, now can someone tell me what the AFX means?

 

I thought all SBC's in Hot Rods were from a Corvette?

 

Of course they are. And they have all been bored .060" over. And they were all built by the current driver of said hot rod.

 

I think it has to do to with the Chevy body or frame style (A body, F body, X body). Not sure.

 

And now all you have to do is determine whether it is a 327 OR a 350!

 

All due respects, the information you have for the 1978 engine is incorrect.
The correct engine code for that one is CHF

Staring in 1970, Chevrolet engine ID codes became three letter. At the time, p***enger cars were coded starting with the letter "C" while trucks were starting with the letter "T".

Later on in the decade, things started getting muddled, still three letter codes, but the parts catalogs indicated that there were some with four letter codes. Personally, I can't remember seeing any of them, but usually the catalogs were pretty accurate. This was in the front of the printed paper books, but it is still in the newer electronic versions, takes a little digging to get there.

I have never seen a original block with a two letter code installed in a 1970 or later Chevrolet car or truck, only three. The four letter, well, they have to be out there but like I said earlier, never personally seen one.

I can help try to I.D. stampings for people here if P.M.'d to me. And give you further contact information at my work if you would like to speak to me. Or answer GM parts questions if possible.

I don't want to publicly name the dealership I am at because I don't feel this is right for me to use this forum as a advertising medium. I'm here as a rodder, not as a salesman.

 

A - Chevelle or El Camino
F - Camero
X - Nova or Chevy II

 

"The casting numbers are: block - 3914660; heads - 3917291; intake - 3919803"

3914660 = 68-69 327
3917291 = 67-68 302, 327, 350
3919803 = 68 327

 

"18D39417"

This is a partial VIN.

The first 1 denotes a 2 dr sedan.
Actually the code would be 11 if you had the entire VIN.

The "8" is the model year, 1968.

The D is an ***embly plant in Doraville, GA

I can only find info on full size cars being built in that plant, in 1968, so the engine was most likely in a "B" series car, i.e. Belair, etc

"HF" shows up in my old Motors Manual as "327 with T/H" in full size car as the only HF listing for '68.

 

I have tried to find out about my Chevy 350 with no luck. The following is the best I can do for the numbers:

VO628HSB
T?S587628

Help....

 

"VO628HSB"

Check the stamping again. Maybe "VO628SHB".

How about the block casting number back by the distributor.

 

The motor is still in my "40" so I can't see the rear stamp.

 

Fairly sure the numbers are V0628HSB ( the H may be a F), I think that means the motor was produced in Flint Mich., 28 of June. I am trying to decide if my motor is a 2-bolt main or 4-bolt main and if it has a one piece or two piece rear seal, and the year it was made.
The other number, T?S 587628 should tell me something.

 

If the fist letter is an "F", it looks to be a 1985 model year block.
This is just a quick look at the charts, a lot of truck engines that year start
with that letter.

If you can get the missing letter on the VIN, that would help.