Hello,

I've been watching this board for a few months since I bought my 70 Chevelle SS, and am continually amazed at the info provided by the board members. So, it's my turn to ask for your help!

The BBC engine is my Chevelle has a suffix code of CBZ. I've looked through several of the online decoders and haven't had any luck. Has anyone seen this code before? The previous owner claimed the engine was from a 77 Chevrolet pickup.

Thanks,
Jim

I'm guessing by the lack of response that this isn't a common code. Do you guys have any idea who might have this info? A dealership service department perhaps?

Thanks,
Jim

Jim, I have little reference material availble except the internet and I have not found that CBZ suffix. But, I am pretty sure it is not out of a truck. I believe the "C" stands for Car. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Robert

Edit: The closest I found was:
1971 CPZ Chevelle 454 425 400 LS-6 4 released
and if you have this engine it would certainly be rare because there is dispute whether GM even made any 1971 LS6 Chevelles...at least not for public consumtion

Jim, What is the casting number and date from the back of the block?

Suffix starting with a C in my experince is usually a car and an older 75 and down block. I think 75 was the last year for big blocks in cars. A suffix starting with a T is usually for a truck. Although most mid 70's 454 blocks I had Ive never bother checking application just assuming there all truck motors. Being that your block starts with a C I dont think its a 77 block. Post the last 3 numbers of block casting # of the drivers side back of block just above trans and that would narrow down the year or just get date off oppisite side of back of block. The last 3 numbers should be #512 or #289 if its out of a car. 512 was used from 69-71 and 289 was used from 72-75.

I'll take a look tonight and see what I can find.

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Jim

I wasn't able to get to the casting date due to space constraints, but I did get the casting number. It is 14015445. Also, the entire stamping on the pad is CBZ135220.

Thanks,
Jim

Jim,

Mortec says that is a 78-90 454 2 or 4 bolt main motor. Click on this link to see. Doesn't say what it is out of.

http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm

Robert

Jim, The closest I can find is CPZ which is a 1971 LS6 (454/425 hp) engine but it would have been either a 3963512 or 3999289 block. I would hazard a guess that being a 14015445 1978-90 block it is probably a light truck block or a replacement of some sort. At any rate, any three letter code beginning with a "C" is a passenger car application.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

I'm looking forward to digging into this car. It's seen some abuse, but its pretty solid and should build into a nice car.

Thanks Again,
Jim

CBZ135220

This looks a lot like a VIN derivative

C - Chevrolet Truck Division
B - Model year is 1981
Z - Final Assembly plant is Fremont, CA
135220 - Last 6 digits of the trucks VIN

So it looks like you have an engine from a 1981 pickup truck (El Camino NOT included) of unknown CID.

Look above the timing cover for a small machined pad, there may be an engine code stamped there, common for later model trucks.

example. T1014THP