what have i bought

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September 27th, 2010, 09:45 AM

vt324

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Thread Starter

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Bennington, VT

Posts: 45

what have i bought

So I bought this short block since it was rumored to be a 324. Got it home yesterday and these are the numbers on the back bell. 563922 L153 and 102653. Has no ridge in the cylinder walls and has pop up pistons. I don't believe these are factory! Can someone decode these numbers so I can be sure what I have before I tear this apart. Thanks. Walt

September 27th, 2010, 09:53 AM

arodenhiser

STOP call'n it a Chevelle

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Binbrook, Ontario

Posts: 704

According to the Tech section of this site you have '54-56 324.

Adam

Identification

On 1959-1963 engines, the 371 has gold valve covers, and the 394 has green valve covers. This could easily be changed though.

The casting number is located at the rear of the bell housing. The number are about ¾" high, and oriented to the right (passenger) side.

CastingYear(s) CID Number Color
'49 - '53 303 555614 Green
'54 - '56 324 568922 Green
'57 -'58 371'59 - '60 371 Gold 394 Green
'61 - '63 371 Gold 394 Lo comp: Green, Hi Comp: Red
'64 394 585786 " This specific casting number seen on " an "Ultra-High Compression" engine. The number "4 1/8" follows casting number.

September 27th, 2010, 11:17 AM

Tedd Thompson

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Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Forest Ranch Ca.

Posts: 7,723

324 engine

You could check your bore diameter if 3.875 it's a stock bore If not it's a re bore. If you had the heads you could tell the year by the stampings . #7= 1954 # 8 =1955 and #9= 1956. It sound like your engine has been upgraded,. 56 heads are the preferred head as they are a higher compression than the 54 or 55 head ...Tedd