Just got home with this engine, trying to decipher it is a 262 or 305. Neither of which is the 350 I wanted ... anyway I'm having trouble finding this casting mark online.
Not sure what you're referring to as a casting mark, but it might be easier to ID what you have with the casting number's on both the block and the head's.
we just spent a while explaining to someone else that a rectangle with a round notch out of it, is not two humps I don't recall what the head ended up being, sorry.
here's the other thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/head-stamp-id-help.1269389/ good luck
I'll get the engine in the shop tomorrow and get the valve covers off and get the casting numbers. Sad to say I'm hoping it's a 305 not a 262. The block casting says it could be either. And all I see about a 262 is even worse than a 305.
Block numbers are above the bellhousing in back, and head numbers under the valve covers. Those shoule tell the story better than the shape of the end of the heads.
Ok the number is 354434 which still say it COULD be either a 262 OR 305..... I guess the only way to know is pull heads and measure bores????
What does the crank flange look like? Didn't the 305 and 350 use the same #442 crankshaft casting? If it has a 350 style flange that would make it a 305.
no stamped number on the top right front of the block? That's the easiest way to tell what you have casting number at the back of the block is next easiest. Pulling a head to measure the bore...yeah, I suppose that would work, if you are desperate!
The problem I've been having guys is the block comes up as either a 262 OR 305. So I pulled a valve cover and the number on the head has the same results.
There is a pad in front of the p***enger-side cylinder, that is the same plane as the block deck. That will have a code stamped in it, and some even had a partial VIN stamped as well. That will tell you what it is. The only way that the code would be missing is if the block has been decked. The pad has varied in width over the years. That does not matter. If you cannot read anything on it, s****e it. If the block has been heavily painted, it can obscure those stampings.
The 262 was produced between1975-1976. The 305 started in 1977, and on from there (to I don't know when exactly, maybe 1996-1996 in the US). It's going to depend on the production year: CPB 76 305 140 2B,TH350 CA,CH,EC,MC,NO CPB 80 267 120 2B,TH350 MA,MC
if there's a partial VIN sequence stamped up there, it will give the year. It will have 9 characters, the second is the year (either a number if it's from the 70s, or a letter if from the 80s. 6 = 1976, A = 1980) Or look for the casting date on the back of the block, a letter followed by 2, 3, or 4 number. Last number is last digit of the year.
Well I couldn't find any more numbers on this thing, so I guess we'll just call it a 305. Not the 350 I was told it was, but it should work to get the project rolling. Believe you me that's the last time I buy an engine without running the casting number first. I guess we learn everyday. Then again I hear people making some pretty decent power with a 305 as well, and since the 41 isn't going to be a pro street car by any means it may be just fine. We shall see.
Do a compression check. If it looks good, clean it up, put a decent cam and lifters in it. Grab a manifold, carb, and some headers at a swap meet. You can always move that stuff to a 350 later, if you really need the other 45-cubic-inches.
Luckily it came with an Edelbrock eps on it already, distributor, cool valve covers, water pump, flex plate and crank pulley/balancer. So not too bad of a deal considering.
Run it! You'll have fun, and that's what this is all about! So long as it is in decent shape overall, it will make a fine cruiser. Not every straight stretch of road is a drag strip.
Unless you are racing that car the 305 with a 4bbl will get that car down the road with no problem. With a mild cam it will do it better. 305's got a bad rap for the soft cams and emission junk on them. Once you change that stuff they are pretty good performers.
when the SBC first came along, guys were going nuts swapping that little 265 into their hot rods. Nothing wrong with a "little" one. unless you can find a 327, of course!
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