The casting number on Chevy V8’s is located on the drivers side of the engine where the block is connected to the bellhousing. 283’s, 327’s and 427’s all had their own casting numbers specific to individual years, so for the process of documenting a Corvette engine, the casting number will be used to confirm that that block was used in a Corvette and that it was available during the same year the Corvette was manufactured, and finally, it was unique to a specific engine size. Also, the numbers are specific to the size of engine in the Corvette. Casting Numbers are important to the engine documentation process because certain numbers were used for Corvettes and some were not. What’s a bit tricky here is that casting numbers on Corvette blocks can also be found on other engine blocks made by GM. The casting number is a sequence consisting of raised numbers that was cast into the engine block when it was made. For the examples provided, I will be referring to the 327 ci 300 hp small block V8 in my 1966 Corvette. As the year’s progressed and engine options increased, the numbering and casting system obviously changed and became more specific. There are dates of manufacture and the engine’s original application if you just know where to look. As my favorite mantra goes when purchasing a Corvette, knowledge is power, and the more you can learn about documenting a Corvette prior to purchase, the less likely you will get burned with buying a Corvette of questionable lineage.Ī series of codes and stamps are located on the engine block that will allow you to identify it as being manufactured specifically for a Corvette. Unfortunately, as Corvette values rise, so do your chances of buying a Corvette with altered numbers being passed off as an original. While the term “Matching Numbers” in its simplist form is various serial numbers and codes located on key parts and their relationship to a particular year of Corvette, it’s the engine block that is the most important part of the matching numbers equation. Today the focus is on the engine and the clues available for verifying authenticity. That article focused on mostly the paper trail: dealer invoices, build sheets and tank stickers. Back in September I wrote about how documentation was the must-have option when buying a classic Corvette.
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