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What year is my engine


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1981Chevy
Novice

Apr 2, 2011, 12:50 PM

Post #1 of 13 (8140 views)
What year is my engine Sign In

I own a 1981 Chevy custom deluxe pickup truck. The engine is not the original. How do I find out what the engine size in year. On the side of the block there isn't GM emblem with the number 89 under its. Today I went and got parts to tune it up and had to bring half of them back. I was told the engine was in 1983 straight 6 ..292. I'm getting conflicting reports on sizing and year of the engine. I would appreciate your advice


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 2, 2011, 7:54 PM

Post #2 of 13 (8118 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

Hang in there - IDK where it's marked but it will probably be just a random type # like a VIN that will know exact size and year of it. One of the regular techs here will know right where to look. scrape down, carb cleaner and it will show,

T



1981Chevy
Novice

Apr 3, 2011, 6:18 AM

Post #3 of 13 (8107 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

I found a series of numbers I don't know what they mean. The first set of numbers is F 13 1 the second set is CON 2 the third set is 478483. Is this the info you talking about


re-tired
Veteran / Moderator
re-tired profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 7:21 AM

Post #4 of 13 (8100 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

Here is some info that may help .

*
*
Chevy inline 6 engine & performance info


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 7:47 AM

Post #5 of 13 (8091 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

got to be 292 or 250 is there a casting number on the cylinder head too should start with 3,1,8 or 9 should be all numbers and the amount of numbers can varie in length.



1981Chevy
Novice

Apr 3, 2011, 9:27 AM

Post #6 of 13 (8087 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

Do I have to pull the valve cover off to find the number you talking about


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 9:54 AM

Post #7 of 13 (8084 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

I'm learning this as we go too. The V8s seem easier for this. Best guess is you don't have to take anything apart to get #s

Z - are the #s you mentioned like the first or last digit means the year within a decade? That or would it us two digits?

81 Chevy: At worst - take old parts with with you and match them up at the counter of a real parts store. They could be fine but I worry sometimes about the chain stores or perhaps that's just around me. Mark where which wire goes where - they have silver Sharpies or use little sticker dots. Saves a lot of wasted time,

T



zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 11:45 AM

Post #8 of 13 (8074 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

67-72 250 cu.in = 3927763, 3895052
73-79 250 cu.in non-integr = 3895052, 3962084, 3927763, 331184
73-79 250 cu.in 1 brl integr = 355795, 370696, 377131,377133,14002012
73-79 250 cu.in 2brl intergr = 3664, 14015499

75-85 250 cu.in non-integr = 3895052,3962084,3927763,331184
75-85 250 cu.in 1brl-integr = 355795,370696,377131,377133,14002012
75-85 250 cu.in 2brl-integr = 3664.14015499

73-85 292 cu.in = 3927763,3895052,3962086,331182,329609
79-90 292 cu.in = 86411148,93413990


from what i understand the block stamping (not cylinder head) 6rd digit is model year and 3rd is engine code, but i can't seem to find a table.. I have some old books in my basement ill look through







zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 12:07 PM

Post #9 of 13 (8072 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

block casting 473483 =


1973-79 truck
250cuin
4.1L
3.875
L-6
3 Bolt Starter
Specify if Head is
Integrated or
Non-Integrated.




(This post was edited by zmame on Apr 3, 2011, 12:08 PM)


1981Chevy
Novice

Apr 3, 2011, 12:34 PM

Post #10 of 13 (8065 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

I'm beginning to think this engine was rebuilt in somebody's backyard. The starter has two Bolts . The exhaust Manifold is dual When I give it a tuneup I have to buy parts for 1987 distributor cap . Rotor. The fuel pump for 1983. The alternator for 1983. In the original color of the engine is blue. What do you mean by INTEGRATED OR NON-INTEGRATED. I am a nurse I don't no mechanical terms


(This post was edited by 1981Chevy on Apr 3, 2011, 12:39 PM)


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Apr 3, 2011, 12:42 PM

Post #11 of 13 (8059 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

the block definitely has to be from 1973-79 truck 250cuin some 250 had intake/exhaust intergrated into one unit.



1981Chevy
Novice

Apr 3, 2011, 12:58 PM

Post #12 of 13 (8053 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

The intake and out take manifold is one units. They can be separated into two units by removing certain bolts. I also found the Firing order on top of the intake manifold. And it does match up with the distributor


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 4, 2011, 2:50 PM

Post #13 of 13 (8039 views)
Re: What year is my engine Sign In

Just some notes/comments on the vintage: If intake and exhaust manifold(s) can separate it's not integrated as Z asked but one piece. You said you saw probably studs with nuts or perhaps bolts that put those two together as one piece.

If older it probably is an advantage. For cars it definitely would be as lots of changes happened for model year 1980 for cars - trucks were delayed with certain things car were required to do to meet certain mandated emissions and more.

Fun fact - Bush #1 imposed an oblique 10% federal tax on the sale price of cars but only the amount over $30,000. Trucks TMK are still exempt from that so trucks have become the luxo vehicles of choice for many and surely you've noticed. Trucks were to work with and things like power windows and locks weren't common to plain not available if you go back far enough. No carpet, some without upholstered door panels and so on. Safety items were delayed too. Now they must meet all required things that cars have to.

This should be too old now for heavy scrutiny like 1996 and up. Hey - a back yard rebuild if that's what happened could still be fine - can't say as it totally depends on how carefully it was done and know how to do it.

If it was mine, I'd sure want to know exactly what was what so this parts mess will be done with and there were changes as you found out.

Suggestion for any vehicle but this and others more-so - lube the hinges, latches hood latch, tailgate - any of the body parts that move and can wear out as some are a real pain to replace and easily prevented with plain squirt oil AND spray grease over that if you don't want to do it as often.

Good luck with the whole thing,

Tom







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