Hi, my '70 had its 427 replaced a few years back with a 350 of unknown origin. Is there a way of identifying what it is? Like a tag somewhere. I can't find any.
The engine, intake manifold and carb look stock so I don't think anything has been changed on the engine.

Thanks in advance

Actually, a '70 never came with a 427. So, the engine you have in there now is the engine that replaced the 427 that replaced your original engine ;) . What is the VIN on your car? That could tell if it originally came with an I6.

Seriously- look for a "pad" on the front of the engine- usually tucked behind the alternator there should be a 3 letter suffix like CTX or whatever. A casting number is usually located at the BACK of the engine by the firewall- such as 39700010- might need flash light for that one. Also, the dipstick location can be a clue of what vintage the engine is (passenger or driver).

ooops..
what buzzbomb said

Ok, had a look today despite the weather.

VIN is 136370L105201.
There's a tag inside the engine compartment with ST 70-13637 on it, the rest is unreadable.

Can't find anything at the front of the engine and there's no-way I can get to the back of the engine. Dipstick is on the drivers side.

The intake manifold has a number on the back with only the last digits being barely readable. I need to clean some of this stuff up.

It's got a Turbo 350 (unoriginal) and a 12 bolt non-posi rear.

OK on the 350 in front of the right side head the will be a small pad cast as part of the block. There will be #'s stamped on it that are visible by looking down on the pad. Paint and or any grease will make it very hard to read so try to clean the pad to make it easier to read.

Ok, front engine tag say "K01 09 CKL". Trying to decode that gives Ontario 1st of September but the CKL code is more difficult.

I've got inconclusive or incorrect results. It's either a '76 350 with a 4V and 165HP or a '73 2 barrel and 145. I did find other matches but nothing really adds up.

It's got a 4 barrel Q-jet and the intake is stamped "0288751" which I can't find anywhere?!

Bellhousing says "28970010".

Thanks for any help with this.

Post back the last thre numbers of the head casting numbers and just maybe they will date the motor.

Heck, the date codes too for sure..

pdq67

Where do I find those?

Thanks

Is there also partial vin stamped on the front pad? That will tell year.

Between mortec.com and nastyz28.com you can probably figure it all out.

From the code I can tell you its not originally an engine from a Chevelle, but from some other Chevrolet model built after 69 . If you can get a hold of a motor repair manual thats from 1974 it should be listed in there.

The head casting numbers and date info is in between the rocker studs post the last three digits like this, "-462" or "-186".

And the date info will be like this, " X-1-1". A letter, then a number and then another number.

The letter decodes the month, like A, B, C = Jan, Feb, March and the first number(s) decode the day cast and the second nunber(s) the year like 8 or 2 for '68 or '72..

pdq67

CKL was used in 1973 Chevelles, 1973 Monte Carlos and 1973 Chevrolet Passenger cars.
145 HP 2 bbl with automatic.

The head casting numbers and date info is in between the rocker studs post the last three digits like this, "-462" or "-186".
pdq67

Thanks. What'sa rocker stud post? (And where do I find it? :o )

Dean, I've found four different CKL engine. '73 262, '73 2bbl 350, '73 4bbl 350 and a 350 Camaro engine (from memory since I can't find that website again).

Now, I had the car dynoed yesterday and it outputs 165BHP - 170BHP at the crank which sounds like the '73 4bbl 350 which is listed as 165BHP.

Thanks

The rocker studs are under the valve covers. They are what each one of the rocker arms that operate the valves and springs are mounted on..

You will see each rocker's stud adjustment nut when you take your valve covers off.

pdq67