These are the numbers on the block:
Engine casting Number: 3970010
Engine ID: K0315TKB
First, the casting number. A "3970010" is:
Year 1969-79 | Casting 3970010 | Capacity 350 | Low Power 185 | High Power 370 | Main Caps 2 or 4 | Application car, truck, Vette |
So, the casting number doesn't narrow it down much - if i was lucky, the engine started as a 370hp Corvette engine. If not, a low power pickup truck engine. In some ways, a low power engine wouldhave less stress, so that might be a good thing.
Next, the Engine ID:
K = Ontario, Canada Engine Plant
03 = March
15 = 15th day of the month
TKB means the following specifications:
| Code TKB | Year 1976 | Capacity 350 | Application conv.cab | Engine Code L LS9 | HP 165 | BBLS 4 | Body C-10 & 1500 |
| TKB | 1979 | 350 | conv. cab, m/t | L LS9 | 165 | 4 | C-30 & 3500 |
So, it seems that my engine was made in Canada in 1976 or 1979. It's a LS9, built as a 165HP 4 barrel unit, for pickup trucks - one of C-1, C-30, 1500 or 3500 depending on the year.
Not very exciting, but perhaps it's had an easy life - sometime soon I'll be stripping the motor down.
Thanks to Dave for sending me the numbers.
References I use to decode the numbers can be found here:
http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
