Engine ID help - 305 or a 350?

[Matt J.]

To make a long story short -

Bought a 1988 K2500LD Pick Up. Truck runs and drives well. Previous owner inherited the truck from his dad who passed away a couple years ago so he knows nothing about previous work done other than a 350 block was installed using the components from the old 305. No build sheet or reciepts to clarify.

This seems to hold some truth as most of the components look older and the block itself looks clean and new. I'm trying determine if this block is indeed a 350 so I can double check to see if they did everything correctly such as 350 injectors, 350 Knock sensor, chip etc...

Front passenger side of block shows numbers V1211CLS. Does this look like a crate engine ID number? I didn't see this number on the Mortec website under SBC's. It doesn't look like I can easily access the numbers on the back of the motor near the bellhousing.

What say the brotherhood?

Thanks for your help, Matt

 

[4X4HIGH]

To make a long story short -

Bought a 1988 K2500LD Pick Up. Truck runs and drives well. Previous owner inherited the truck from his dad who passed away a couple years ago so he knows nothing about previous work done other than a 350 block was installed using the components from the old 305. No build sheet or reciepts to clarify.

This seems to hold some truth as most of the components look older and the block itself looks clean and new. I'm trying determine if this block is indeed a 350 so I can double check to see if they did everything correctly such as 350 injectors, 350 Knock sensor, chip etc...

Front passenger side of block shows numbers V1211CLS. Does this look like a crate engine ID number? I didn't see this number on the Mortec website under SBC's. It doesn't look like I can easily access the numbers on the back of the motor near the bellhousing.

What say the brotherhood?

Thanks for your help, Matt

V = Flint engine plant, 12 = December, 11 = 11th day of December, CLS = 73 350 M/T Ca. Vin T L82 250HP 4 bbl carb Vette

OR

V = Flint engine plant, 12 = December, 11 = 11th day of December, CLS = 76 350 A/T high altitude Vin L L48 175HP 4 bbl carb vette.

You will have to look at the date code now in order to figure out which engine it is.

 

[Matt J.]

Thanks Scott. That was fast.

I've never looked at a date code before on a SBC. Do you think I'll be able to see it with the motor installed?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Thanks Scott. That was fast.

I've never looked at a date code before on a SBC. Do you think I'll be able to see it with the motor installed?

It will be tuff but with a mirror i'm sure you could see it.

 

[Matt J.]

It will be tuff but with a mirror i'm sure you could see it.

I'll give it a try this weekend.

I'll also take a look at the knock sensor and injectors to see if they are for a 350. I'm not sure what to look for on the chip but I'll probably pull the numbers and give Brian a call at TBIchips.

The only problems with this motor at the moment is an occasional code 42 and 43 when on the freeway(about once every two weeks). Code seems to clear itself when I get to the jobsite. Also the timing likes 12-13 degrees advanced for some reason. Anything lower and the motor dies when put into gear. Like I said, it runs great as it's set up.

Funny thing is when I bought this thing, I stood next to the PO while it was on the smog machine in Santa Cruz and the smog tech said nothing about the timing being way advanced. Passed all CA Emissions with surprisingly low numbers all around.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Did you pull the EST wire before checking timing? If not it "should" have read about 20* advanced.

 

[Matt J.]

Yep. I sure did. I checked the timing before pulling the est wire and I could barely see the mark. After disconnecting the wire is where I got my reading of 12-13 degrees. I also made sure that the balancer was not jumping by bumping the motor and the marks lined up. I'll need to figure all this out before next smog check. I think timing can only be off by a few degrees. lol...

 

[4X4HIGH]

Bring it by one day and we can check it out. Yep, timing can only be off by 4* or less otherwise it is automatic fail.

 

[Matt J.]

Sounds good Scott. Who knows, that smog tech could have been the PO's buddy. You never know.