Can Anyone Identify These Engine Codes?

[Ludigdrums]

I found these:
Front of the engine MM15800
Down by Oil Filter 397�œ010

And the non the Transmission I found:
8641711 and 110214-A

It's an 81 Vette that no longer has the original VIN. I'm hoping this might help me get closer to it...thanks for the help!

- Jeremy

 

[Dave L.]

Jeremy- Do you know if the engine in your car is original or a replacement? The reason I ask is the engine codes for an 81 are ZDA,ZDB,ZDC,ZDD. That code looks like it may be a GM replacement engine. The trans code should be CC- manual 4 speed or 8JD- MX3 350c auto trans.

Dave

 

[Ludigdrums]

Idon't know if the engine is original or not. It does say GM on it, and somewhere near that it also says something about Mexico I think. Seemed weird to me.

Yes, the tranny is an MX3. I managed to get (unfortunately ripped) the lower half of my tank sticker. And it has that option on it. Does the tranny code tell you anything about the year or date or what car it belonged to?

Thanks so far!

- Jeremy

 

[Ludigdrums]

Wow, that'd be strange if it were a 327 from the sixties! I hope not. I'm pretty sure it's a 350, but then again, I guess I wouldn't really know as far as size difference. How do you figure these things out anyhow? Is there a special book?

Thanks as always!

- Jeremy

 

[Ludigdrums]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it must have been stolen! The frame is straight and there are no signs of it being in an accident. It is a state issued VIN which I think is from Indiana. It has a wide body kit on it, like the Duntov Turbo, as far as all the quarter panels and doors. Custom wheels, Edlebrock Performer intake w/Holley Carb, etc.

A lot has been fiddle with...

Oh well, will have to drop the tank at some point.

In the mean time, any other guesses on the the engine?!

Also, do the engine codes and such have specific numbers. Meaning, can these codes be traced to the original vehicle and VIN?!

Thanks!

- Jeremy

 

[Ludigdrums]

Slight Correction

When I wrote this: Down by Oil Filter 397�œ010
There was supposed to be a circle or a dot between the 7 and 0. For some reason it did not come out correctly. So, using a dash it would be 397-010. Don't know if this makes a difference or not.

C5D, yeah, I guess I wouldn't really care so much, as the car feels plenty strong. I would like it to be a 350 though anyhow. But, all in all, I'm just trying to get down to the bottom of this car and what really happened to it along it's lifespan!

- Jeremy

 

[Tom73]

Re: Slight Correction

I would like it to be a 350 though anyhow.

What is the casting #, at the rear drivers side by the bellhousing flange (to the drivers side of the distributor) and the casting date code (on the opposite side from the casting #, to the passanger side of the distributor).

tom...

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

If your casting number is actually 3970010, then it's a 69-80 302, 327 or 350 cu in. block, most likely a 350 if it's got a recent casting date. With the 'Mexico' reference on it, it's probably an over the counter replacement block. I think they were marketed as a Goodwrench low cost replacement.

 

[JohnZ]

It's a GM Targetmaster or Goodwrench replacement engine; no way to tell what's inside it without tearing it down.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

It's a GM Targetmaster or Goodwrench replacement engine; no way to tell what's inside it without tearing it down.

Hi John,

Didn't know you were a member here! So you think it might be a Goodwrench replacement engine? How about that!
:J

PS- Got the National all sorted out yet, nothing left to do? You should be leaving all the nasty jobs for Scott anyways.......

 

[69MyWay]

edited post.

 

[69MyWay]

Please keep these tech threads flowing in a postive and upbeat fashion. There is no benefit for the discussion to take personal shots due to adverse opinions.

Thanks!

 

[Ludigdrums]

Tom73:
The casting #397-010 and the casting date code is 292

Does that help?!

Thanks again...

-Jeremy

 

[Tom73]

The casting #397-010 and the casting date code is 292

Is this casting # from the rear by the bellhousing flange area up on top (not down by the oil filter)?

The 3970010 was a very common block. It was used in Vettes and lots of other GM products from 69 through 80. It was a 302 and a 327 in '69 and a 350 for the entire 69-80.

The casting date code appears to have a alpha letter missing at the start. They should be something like E292 which would be May 29th of 1972.

So I would have to say you have a 350 that was cast on the 29th day of some month in 1972. Really does not tell us much. My guess would be that it is, as stated earlier, a TargetMaster/Goodwrench engine from that era. As such it is impossable to tell any more without an engine teardown.

tom...

 

[JohnZ]

Hi John,

Didn't know you were a member here! So you think it might be a Goodwrench replacement engine? How about that!
:J

PS- Got the National all sorted out yet, nothing left to do? You should be leaving all the nasty jobs for Scott anyways.......

Sure....it's all in the bag, nothing left to do except ALL THE WORK (Planning is easy) :eyerole

 

[Tom73]

Re: And...???

What are the chances the 010 molds were kept around from '80 to the early '90's and then "given" to GM Mexico for use again for the TargetMasters?

Don't think there is much chance of that.

Per the Mortec site, the casting from Mexico are:

10036033
10066036
10066038
3998993
33417369

and all are 350ci.

tom...

 

[Tom73]

Re: Re: Re: And...???

What's perplexing is the 010 with indication of "Mexico" cast on the block. That's really boggling my brain a bit.
Hate those unfinished puzzles...

How can the two co-exist?

D,
First, Ludigdrums said " it also says something about Mexico I think.". It is the "I think" that bothers me, has never came back and confirmed this.

Second is that Ludigdrums stated the block # was 397-010 which is the same as the number he stated was down by the oil filter which is not where the casting # is located. So don't really know if it is a casting # of 3970010 or not.

The number, 010, is used on blocks to indicate an additional 1% tin was used in the block casting. If there is an 020 shown that is for an additional 2% nickel was used in the casting.

So a couple of questions for Ludigdrums. Is the block casting 3970010? And does it say Mexico on the block?

tom...

 

[Ludigdrums]

Pictures

Okay...thanks everybody for not giving up on this.

I took some very hard to get pictures today which might help.

This one is on the front of the engine by the AC compressor.

 

[Ludigdrums]

This one is on the back of the engine, above the Oil Filter where it also says GM and Mexico.

I'm also thinking that the first number might be an 8 as opposed to a 3 which I initial thought. Can't really tell though!

 

[Ludigdrums]

Another better showing the Mexico