Inline Block Identification - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Johnny Outdoors · 04-07-2004, 12:41 AM

MY NEW PROJECT JUST GOT MORE COMPLICATED
#1 AND#2 CYLINDER HAVE BURNED PISTONS (BIG HOLES)
THEY GUY WHO SOLD IT SAID IT HAD A BAD CAM
I WAS GOING TO GO THRU THE MOTOR ANYWAY
THERE IS OK COMPRESSION ON CYL 3,4,5,6 ABOUT 70 LBS
MY QUESTION IS
THE INLINE IN THE TRUCK IS ORIGINAL (250)
HE GAVE ME A ENGINE IN PIECES AS EXTRA BASKET CASE)
BUT I DONT KNOW IF IT IS THE SAME CU IN
THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE DISTRIBUTOR READ
F0127CBJ
CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT DISPLACEMENT
OR YEAR IS THIS BLOCK
AND WILL THE PIECES INTERCHANGE
I WANT TO KEEP IT AN INLINE AND TRY TO KEEP THE ORIG BLOCK
THANKS

Bryan68custom · 04-07-2004, 12:43 AM

I think this is right? www.inliners.org

stelth2002 · 04-07-2004, 12:51 AM

Thats not the right number. You should be able to identify the big vs. small block by how big the pushrod covers are on the side. If they are smaller than 5" then its a 250 or smaller and if its bigger then its a 292. If it has an intregal head intake and exhaust then its an 80's model.

stelth2002 · 04-07-2004, 12:52 AM

Also, that compression is tooo low for an engine that you want to make good power. It needs to be above 115 before i would mess with it for performance.

Longhorn Man · 04-07-2004, 01:16 AM

stelth, how could one tell if it is a 230? Don't they look the same as a 350? (the 'spare' engine)

Johnny Outdoors · 04-07-2004, 01:35 AM

THE ORIGINAL CASTING NUMBERS ON THE ENGINE IN THE TRUCK ARE
GM 3877178

THE NUMBERS ON THE SPARE BLOCK ARE

GM 3994257
BUT I CANT FIND ANY LISTING FOR THIS NUMBER
ANY IDEAS?

stelth2002 · 04-07-2004, 11:19 AM

Andy, I dont think there is a way to find out on the outside of the engine.. Just the internals. I have heard that the dizzys are a little different, so maybe that. JT

Lgriffin · 04-07-2004, 07:59 PM

If my casting guide is correct the first 3877178 is a 230, the second is a 250.

Larry
68 C20 327 daily driver
63 C20 292 Camper truck
65 C10 ? Custom Cab AC,PB,PS,$flasher

jjk3 · 04-07-2004, 11:47 PM

3877178-- 230 '66-'70 or 250 '62-'69

3994257-- I couldn't find it. Are you sure it's not 3994258? Which is a '67-'90 292.

The number from behind the dizzy would be a great help, but I haven't found anybody that has a breakdown of the codes. Also, check the side cover lengths like stelth2002 said. The 230 and 250 both have a 3.875" bore, but the 250 has a 3.530" stroke and the 230 has a 3.250" stroke. Hope this helps. John

Johnny Outdoors · 04-07-2004, 11:57 PM

THANKS FOR THE HELP
THE BLOCK IS DEFINATELY 3994257 WITH A CODE BY THE DISTRIB
FO127CBJ WHICH I CANNOT FIND IN ANY LISTING
THE HEAD CASTING IS 3962084 WHICH I FOUND TO BE A 1962-79 250 HORSE
BUT I DONT KNOW IF IT CAME WITH THIS PART BLOCK
BOTH SETS OF LIFTER COVERS ARE THE SAME SIZE
I GUESS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS STROKE LENGHT
SO CAN I USE THE PISTONS THEY APPEAR TO BE THE SAME BORE SIZE?

stelth2002 · 04-08-2004, 02:05 AM

I dont think anything from the factory had 250 horses in these engines. I could be wrong. And jjk3 is right about the bore x strokes. Addtionally the 292 has a 3.875 inch bore.
What i mean about the lifter cover is the physical plate that covers it. How tall is it? this will decide if its a 250 or smaller or the 292. I dont believe you can use the same piston for all applications because of wrist pin height and what not. Wheres bigjim when i need him.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 04-08-2004, 05:48 AM

For what it's worth, I have 2- 292 blocks, one a '67 [FO626UH] and one a '68[FO627XAE] and they both have "FO" as the first 2 digits. So that might help to date the block as '67 or-8. Leo Santucci says the numbers stamped into the distr pad indicate where the block was cast and its "dress" (Compr ratio and acc).
On page 17(Chev Inline 6 Cyl Pwr Manl) he lists casting # 3994258 as a '63-'66 292. But it's one digit off and the 1-3/4" taller deck height of a 292 would be obvious.
It would be real helpful if we knew how to decypher dress codes.
For that matter the "FO" might mean Flint MI.
The date -cast-on codes are embossed under the rear lifter cover plate. [A-L=Month][1-31=Day][last digit =decade: 8=1968].
You might get a wider audience on Inliners.Org and the Stovebolt Page.
Hope this helped more that it confused.

04-07-2004, 12:51 AM	#3
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	Thats not the right number. You should be able to identify the big vs. small block by how big the pushrod covers are on the side. If they are smaller than 5" then its a 250 or smaller and if its bigger then its a 292. If it has an intregal head intake and exhaust then its an 80's model. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

04-07-2004, 12:52 AM	#4
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	Also, that compression is tooo low for an engine that you want to make good power. It needs to be above 115 before i would mess with it for performance. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

04-07-2004, 01:35 AM	#6
Johnny Outdoors SOON TO BE A STEP SIDE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Little Valley, N.Y. Posts: 169	THE ORIGINAL CASTING NUMBERS ON THE ENGINE IN THE TRUCK ARE GM 3877178 THE NUMBERS ON THE SPARE BLOCK ARE GM 3994257 BUT I CANT FIND ANY LISTING FOR THIS NUMBER ANY IDEAS? __________________ 67 CHEVY LONGBED----- BEST 51 DOLLARS EVER SPENT ON EBAY! 4.3 LITER INJECTED MOTOR WITH 5 SPEED GOING IN SOON

04-07-2004, 11:19 AM	#7
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	Andy, I dont think there is a way to find out on the outside of the engine.. Just the internals. I have heard that the dizzys are a little different, so maybe that. JT __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

04-07-2004, 11:47 PM	#9
jjk3 It's just a check engine lamp. Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 311	3877178-- 230 '66-'70 or 250 '62-'69 3994257-- I couldn't find it. Are you sure it's not 3994258? Which is a '67-'90 292. The number from behind the dizzy would be a great help, but I haven't found anybody that has a breakdown of the codes. Also, check the side cover lengths like stelth2002 said. The 230 and 250 both have a 3.875" bore, but the 250 has a 3.530" stroke and the 230 has a 3.250" stroke. Hope this helps. John __________________ Active Inliner---bigchevy66 68 SWB Stepside 250 L6/3 on the floor/ Hedman headers, HEI, MSD 6A box, K&N filter, Offy intake and Edelbrock 600cfm 4 barrel Soon to have: WC T-5 five speed 66 SWB Stepside-undergoing restoration

04-07-2004, 12:41 AM	#1
Johnny Outdoors SOON TO BE A STEP SIDE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Little Valley, N.Y. Posts: 169	Inline Block Identification MY NEW PROJECT JUST GOT MORE COMPLICATED #1 AND#2 CYLINDER HAVE BURNED PISTONS (BIG HOLES) THEY GUY WHO SOLD IT SAID IT HAD A BAD CAM I WAS GOING TO GO THRU THE MOTOR ANYWAY THERE IS OK COMPRESSION ON CYL 3,4,5,6 ABOUT 70 LBS MY QUESTION IS THE INLINE IN THE TRUCK IS ORIGINAL (250) HE GAVE ME A ENGINE IN PIECES AS EXTRA BASKET CASE) BUT I DONT KNOW IF IT IS THE SAME CU IN THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE DISTRIBUTOR READ F0127CBJ CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT DISPLACEMENT OR YEAR IS THIS BLOCK AND WILL THE PIECES INTERCHANGE I WANT TO KEEP IT AN INLINE AND TRY TO KEEP THE ORIG BLOCK THANKS __________________ 67 CHEVY LONGBED----- BEST 51 DOLLARS EVER SPENT ON EBAY! 4.3 LITER INJECTED MOTOR WITH 5 SPEED GOING IN SOON

04-07-2004, 12:43 AM	#2
Bryan68custom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denison, Tx. Posts: 189	I think this is right? www.inliners.org __________________ 2004 Extended cab LS silverado 2001 Buick Lesabre 1968 Chevy Custom 10 LWB Anniversery model 2008 crew cab lt (rolling on dubs) "The nice part about living in a small town is when you don't know what you're doing, someone else always does"

04-07-2004, 01:16 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	stelth, how could one tell if it is a 230? Don't they look the same as a 350? (the 'spare' engine)

04-07-2004, 07:59 PM	#8
Lgriffin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oakdale, CA Posts: 101	If my casting guide is correct the first 3877178 is a 230, the second is a 250. Larry 68 C20 327 daily driver 63 C20 292 Camper truck 65 C10 ? Custom Cab AC,PB,PS,$flasher

04-07-2004, 11:57 PM	#10
Johnny Outdoors SOON TO BE A STEP SIDE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Little Valley, N.Y. Posts: 169	THANKS FOR THE HELP THE BLOCK IS DEFINATELY 3994257 WITH A CODE BY THE DISTRIB FO127CBJ WHICH I CANNOT FIND IN ANY LISTING THE HEAD CASTING IS 3962084 WHICH I FOUND TO BE A 1962-79 250 HORSE BUT I DONT KNOW IF IT CAME WITH THIS PART BLOCK BOTH SETS OF LIFTER COVERS ARE THE SAME SIZE I GUESS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS STROKE LENGHT SO CAN I USE THE PISTONS THEY APPEAR TO BE THE SAME BORE SIZE? __________________ 67 CHEVY LONGBED----- BEST 51 DOLLARS EVER SPENT ON EBAY! 4.3 LITER INJECTED MOTOR WITH 5 SPEED GOING IN SOON

04-08-2004, 02:05 AM	#11
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	I dont think anything from the factory had 250 horses in these engines. I could be wrong. And jjk3 is right about the bore x strokes. Addtionally the 292 has a 3.875 inch bore. What i mean about the lifter cover is the physical plate that covers it. How tall is it? this will decide if its a 250 or smaller or the 292. I dont believe you can use the same piston for all applications because of wrist pin height and what not. Wheres bigjim when i need him. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!! Last edited by stelth2002; 04-08-2004 at 02:07 AM.

04-08-2004, 05:48 AM	#12
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,074	For what it's worth, I have 2- 292 blocks, one a '67 [FO626UH] and one a '68[FO627XAE] and they both have "FO" as the first 2 digits. So that might help to date the block as '67 or-8. Leo Santucci says the numbers stamped into the distr pad indicate where the block was cast and its "dress" (Compr ratio and acc). On page 17(Chev Inline 6 Cyl Pwr Manl) he lists casting # 3994258 as a '63-'66 292. But it's one digit off and the 1-3/4" taller deck height of a 292 would be obvious. It would be real helpful if we knew how to decypher dress codes. For that matter the "FO" might mean Flint MI. The date -cast-on codes are embossed under the rear lifter cover plate. [A-L=Month][1-31=Day][last digit =decade: 8=1968]. You might get a wider audience on Inliners.Org and the Stovebolt Page. Hope this helped more that it confused. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.



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