I realize the is an Oldsmobile site, but 68 to 72 GM Trucks wants my credit card info to make a post. I had the 350 in my 71 C20 refreshed (rings, hoan, bearings, polish crank, valve stem seals) and wanted to determine if it was the original motor. Unfortunately, the only stamp I could find was the engine ID stamp on the front passenger side of the deck. I checked around the oil filter and mounts but nothing. The code suffix is consistent with a 71 truck application. The date on the stamp is 03/30 and engine was made in Flint. The casting date on the block is January 19, 1971, and the heads casting number is for 71/72 truck/Corvette with a casting date of 3/19/71. The 1.94 intake valves are consistent with a truck and not Corvette. The truck was assembled in ?Fremont? Not Flint. Does anyone know if there is a way to know if the engine is original or why it doesn't have a VIN ID stamp on the engine next to the engine ID stamp like I've seen on other Chevy engines?

 

Donald,
Can you post the entire engine number ? Maybe a picture ? Is there a reason you would suspect it not to be the original engine ? If it truly does not have a vin stamp somewhere it certainly wont be the first time. Stuff got missed on the assembly line more often than people realize

 

3970010. The engine ID stamp is V0330TBC. It's located on the passenger side front of the deck. From what I understand, this is also where the VIN ID stamp should be. The truck and engine were not made in that same location. Heads are 973487 and 1. 94 intake.

 

The numbers all add up to be correct for that year truck. The block does not appear to have been decked.

I know that. Like I said earlier the assembly line guy simply forgot to put the vin stamp on. More common than you think I would have no reason to think it was not the original engine.

 

Yeah. All the dates and castings point to an original motor. Wish the sticker on the door jam with truck assembly date was still legible