Small Block engine numbers

[BoondocK5]

I just tore down my SBC. the pistons have a slight dish to them, maybe 1/8 inch dish. and the heads are slightly different from what I'm used to seeing. 1. the intake valves look huge. 2. The area where the push rods go through the head toward the lifters is not an open space like I'm used to seeing on TBI heads, there are individual holes in the head for each push rod. Plus the head gaskets, were not really gaskets, they looked like stamped tin, really thin at that.
So, I'm thinking I got something different, maybe really old. I have access to the serial numbers on the heads and block. does anyone know of a good site to run the serial numbers to see what it really is?

Just when I thought I had seen everything engine...

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have used this list in the past with success. Scroll past the adds.

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

 

[4X4HIGH]

The factory used a steel shim head gasket on all the SBC engines ever built up to at least 1995. Post up the casting numbers of the heads and also the block and myself or someone else is sure to help you. On the passenger side of the block just in front of the cylinder head you'll find a machined pad with a series of numbers and then either 2 or 3 letters that follow. Post that up as well. As long as it doesn't start with a T then it's a passenger car engine and i can tell you the exact year and model of car that the engine came from.

 

[Thunder]

I just tore down my SBC. the pistons have a slight dish to them, maybe 1/8 inch dish. and the heads are slightly different from what I'm used to seeing. 1. the intake valves look huge. 2. The area where the push rods go through the head toward the lifters is not an open space like I'm used to seeing on TBI heads, there are individual holes in the head for each push rod. Plus the head gaskets, were not really gaskets, they looked like stamped tin, really thin at that.
So, I'm thinking I got something different, maybe really old. I have access to the serial numbers on the heads and block. does anyone know of a good site to run the serial numbers to see what it really is?

Just when I thought I had seen everything engine...

Hmmmm........... nothing unusual there.
Sounds like every stock TBI truck engine I have ever seen.

let me guess....The head casting numbers end in either 193 or 191?

 

[BoondocK5]

Well I guess the other GM V8's I've built have been the odd balls, as this one is nothing more than a 305 block with 305 heads from the mid 80's, which has never been apart as the original tin "head gasket" was in it.
Oh well, I'll add the new cam, lifters, chain, and gaskets, water pump, TBI heads and manifold, a set of headers, and a flywheel/clutch pack, and see what becomes of it.

 

[pauly383]

If the heads are 350 heads , your gonna be down on compression as opposed to the small chambers on 305 heads you originally had on your 305 .