Chevy C50...easy question?

Dave H (MI) · Aug 15, 2019

Is there a plate or something they put on these engines that tell you which one it is? I know it is a gas powered V-8 but every time I call anyplace for parts or info they ask me what engine it has in it. Been poking around the internet but not finding a lot of info. Would really help for ordering filters and such if I knew what I had. Is there a clue somewhere?

DR. EVIL · Aug 15, 2019

Huge difference between a small block Chevy engine and a big block Chevy engine. In a C50 I'd guess it's a small block, depending on year could be 305, 327, or 350 CID. The big block would be 366.
There was probably a sticker somewhere under the hood when the truck was built with tune-up spec's.

Township road commissioner I worked for got 366's in their C65 trucks, used some Huge oil filter, same size as my IH 7.3L diesel in my '96 F250 used, but that same filter fit on my 307 small block in my car, all the books said an AC PF-25 was the correct filter but the PF-35 pickup filter fit just fine and that's what I used. The big truck filter stuck below the oil pan an inch or two, didn't want to risk tearing it off running over something. Did like the idea of two quarts more oil in the engine.

Mike M · Aug 15, 2019

Back of the block on drivers side should be a small flange before the bell housing bolts up. Usually casting number on there. Get them and try them on google. If it is original to the truck should be on a door tag ? or build spec sheet somewhere like glove box door ? There would be and engine code to decipher. Some of the old chilton and motors repair manuals had the code info in them.

Mutt and Jeff · Aug 15, 2019

look on the glove box door
take the motor option number to google and inquire
or
use the VIN number and decypher that to indicate motor

note these numbers and contact a medium duty GM truck shop and ask them

Bob · Aug 15, 2019

(quoted from post at 09:37:21 08/15/19) Is there a plate or something they put on these engines that tell you which one it is? I know it is a gas powered V-8 but every time I call anyplace for parts or info they ask me what engine it has in it. Been poking around the internet but not finding a lot of info. Would really help for ordering filters and such if I knew what I had. Is there a clue somewhere?

From your previous photos, it's definitely a "GEN I small block Chevy" and they are very interchangeable between displacement sizes, and there is much commonality between the models, so many parts such as the waterpump you are dealing with will fit any of them.

Also, unless you know it is the original engine, it could be one of a wide variety of displacements.

There's a CASTING NUMBER at the rear of the engine that will really narrow it down, and an engine number stamped at the front of the engine that can be decoded with the right resources.

Here's two links that should help with some of that.

(I don't remember the year of the (older) truck, but I would guess the two most likely possibilities are a 283 or a 327.)

https://www.enginelabs.com/news/reference-chevy-engine-block-casting-numbers/

http://nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

Steve@Advance · Aug 15, 2019

A few clues...

The ends of the heads, if they are rounded and no mount holes, it's pre 68 I believe.

If there are accessory mount threaded holes, it's later, probably a 307, 305, 350, maybe 400.

Look at the harmonic balancer behind the crank pulley. If it's about 3/4" wide, 6" diameter. it's an early engine, 283, 327.

If it's wider, 1 1/2" or so, it's a later engine, 307, 350. If it has an offset weight area, it's a 400.

Still the engine size won't tell what pump it has, any will fit, it's the distance from the mount flange to the pulley plate that matters. That is what aligns the belts.

I don't recall any early pumps having extra heater hose connection threaded holes. If it has a hose threaded boss on top, it's a later model, probably a 307, 305, 350.

Scott 730 · Aug 15, 2019

My memory is fuzzy but I think there is an engine code stamped into the top deck of the block just forward from the head on the passenger side.

Keith True · Aug 15, 2019

Facing the front of the engine,look at the top of the block where the head on the left side meets the block.It sticks out further forward than the head does.Scrape that flat spot and sand it,you will see numbers stamped there.The old Motors manuals will decode that for you.I'm kind of surprised nobody posted this,when I worked in a junkyard in 1976 that was the only place I knew of to find numbers on a small block Chevy.Casting numbers mean nothing,there were probably 10 different engines made from that same casting,depending on the bore,and crank used.

tlock0331 · Aug 15, 2019

Dave H (MI), can you post a couple pictures of the engine? that would probably help all of tell ya what we think it is

Steve@Advance · Aug 15, 2019

Kieth, that is the only reliable identifying numbers.

But decoding them is the problem.

Lots about where it was made, what it was in, when it was made, but from there I'm lost.

Probably a way though with enough research.

john in la · Aug 15, 2019

If you get these numbers some can tell you anything you want to know about the motor.
They can even tell you what the orginal cars VIN number was so you can see if the motor is orginal to the vehicle.

Chevy C50...easy question?

Dave H (MI)

Well-known Member

DR. EVIL

Well-known Member

Mike M

Well-known Member

Mutt and Jeff

Member

Bob

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Scott 730

Well-known Member

Keith True

Well-known Member

tlock0331

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

john in la

Well-known Member

Similar threads