I have a couple questions in regard to the 1970 350 engine with O.A.I:

1. I understand that the number on the oil filler tube is the engine number, but I have no idea what that really means. I have several tubes and I am curious what the number was actually used for. For example I have one tube numbered 0488000 and one numbered 0372315. Is there any information that can be gained from these numbers?

2. I was going through some of my stuff today and found this screen and this metal piece. I understand the screen is for the Hot Air Tube and I assume the other part holds it in place, but what are the two small tabs on the top for? See Image.



Thanks,

 

Jim,

The engine unit number in those years is just a sequential build number. Other than the fact that the first digit is the model year, there really isn't any other useful info to be gleaned from it.

 

Joe,
Thanks, that is pretty much what I thought. I would be curious to know how many engines were built in a month.
Also, I figured out what the part next to the screen was in my first post. It is broken off from the bottom side of a spare air cleaner assembly I had.

 

Jim, I don't believe your 350 would have used that screen. I think that's a 455 item only.

As Joe said, the number stamped on the oil tube is a sequential number likely used to associate that particular engine to your car as it went down the line. Obviously, the numbers increase throughout the production year. If you're trying to figure out which one is the original off your car, it'll depend on the build date and identifying other cars built around your time. Since it's for a Rallye 350, that should be fairly easy to narrow.

 

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I did notice in the PIM that the Screen was only used on 455 engine. So what was its purpose, and why wouldn't a 350 engine need it?