Engine verification

[JerryIndy2112]

Finally got the truck in the garage. I am looking to verify the engine. Had to sand the numbers to get a good picture of the stamp. I looked up the letters CKN and found on a Chevelle sight that shows block as made in 1970, 330 hp, 402, TH400 transmission. I did not fine serial numbers in this spot. This is passenger side, front of block. Near where heads attach.

Can anyone verify this? I am not sure I looked it up right. But the block does look to be the original, my truck is a 1971 GMC C3500. I also have a picture of the SPID.
Are the serial numbers on this truck on back of block? Just looking to know more about the truck.

[rpmerf]

T - Tonawanda Plant
07 - July
2 - 2nd day of the month

CKN - 1970 Chevelle 402

What is the code in your glove box?

[JerryIndy2112]

This is SPID

[rpmerf]

Looking around, I think the factory engine in your truck would had been TKA or TKB.

http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...-suffix-15.php

[JerryIndy2112]

I agree, the truck was bought in 1971 in California. I was given the sales receipt. The truck went to the son of original owner. He brought it to Indiana. He drove in the '80's. He is the one who cut dash to add a DIN stereo. He put in shag carpet. Truck has been parked in yard for last few years. That owner passed truck to his son, who is in college. He did not have interest in restoring it. I bought it in November for $2700.00. I am surprised that the engine was changed. It runs great.

Thanks for the information
Jerry

[Bigdav160]

It does seem like a Chevelle engine of that vintage would have had a partial VIN.

[AussieinNC]

CKN denotes 1970 Chevelle 330 hp engine with a TH400 trans....L43 option

Your SPID show L47 engine code...400 cu in with TH400 trans.....

There were some trucks built that used the L43 engines in place of L47....supply issues I believe....

or it could have blown the original engine and had this Chevelle engine installed....maybe just luck that the engine is also a 1970 issue,,,,

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by rpmerf

T - Tonawanda Plant
07 - July
2 - 2nd day of the month

CKN - 1970 Chevelle 402

What is the code in your glove box?

Cool, you helped decode my code. The "0" threw me off, thought it might be "H" for TH transmission I have a Tonawanda plant TKB (1971-72 truck), built 04-26...Technically a 71 in my case

[noxqsz]

I believe Big Dave is correct. Engines of that vintage which were installed in the factory were stamped with a partial VIN of the vehicle in which they were installed. If there is no partial VIN stamped in the block deck, the engine was sold by Chevrolet for use as a replacement unit.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by noxqsz

I believe Big Dave is correct. Engines of that vintage which were installed in the factory were stamped with a partial VIN of the vehicle in which they were installed. If there is no partial VIN stamped in the block deck, the engine was sold by Chevrolet for use as a replacement unit.

True, except that the serial number of the vehicle was only on cars, IIRC, and not on trucks. If I am wrong, I'm willing to be educated, and will modify this post so that bad info doesn't continue on.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

True, except that the serial number of the vehicle was only on cars, IIRC, and not on trucks. If I am wrong, I'm willing to be educated, and will modify this post so that bad info doesn't continue on.

Subscribed.

On another note, I didn't know a 71 402 had 100 more HP than a 72. I remember hearing it had a different timing chain, don't quote me on that.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Subscribed.

On another note, I didn't know a 71 402 had 100 more HP than a 72. I remember hearing it had a different timing chain, don't quote me on that.

The difference was in how they were rated.
The 71 was power at the flywheel, the 72 was power at the rear wheels.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

The difference was in how they were rated.
The 71 was power at the flywheel, the 72 was power at the rear wheels.

Learn something new everyday. Thanks

[Steeveedee]

I thought that that change was made from '70 to '71, but whatever. I do recall that the insurance companies were getting after the high HP vehicles, and the manufacturers went to net instead of gross HP. In '71 Chevy started putting 454s in the Malibus and El Caminos, where before that they rarely had 454s, but mostly had 396s, if they had a big block.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by noxqsz

I believe Big Dave is correct. Engines of that vintage which were installed in the factory were stamped with a partial VIN of the vehicle in which they were installed. If there is no partial VIN stamped in the block deck, the engine was sold by Chevrolet for use as a replacement unit.

If it were a replacement unit, it would have a CE prefix. I have a '72 402 out of a motorhome that had the engine replaced under warranty and it has CE 355277 stamped into it.