Guest ckmoss01 Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 Hi all: I recently purchased a 77 280Z with a SBC 350. I apologize for the question, but is there a way to determine the year of the engine I have? The guy that I bought it from thought it was from a '99 Corvette. It has a six speed manual transmission, but I'd sure love to nail down what year I am working with. Thanks for indulging what is probably a naive question. Have a good night, CMOSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 There is a serial number along the top part of the block in the back where the bellhousing bolts to the block. Take down the number and look it up on the mortec.com site (I think I got that right). This is for 'older blocks.' This, however, may not work with the LS1 engine, which is what I think you have. For those engines, maybe someone else can shed some light on the topic. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 Do you mean '89 Corvetter? As DavyZ noted, all rules are off if it is a '99. On the back of the block the number DavyZ mentioned is a casting number. It will identify displacement (possibly) but that's about it on an older block, but starting in the mid 80's, the displacement number is also cast on the bellhousing extension. (5.0 or 5.7). The number you need for an older motor is a two or three letter code in front of the serial number. Two letters until 1970 and three letters afterwords. This number is stamped on a "pad" in front of the passenger side cylinder head. The pad is actually an extension of the block deck. Then you can go to Mortec or Nastyz28.com for suffix codes to identify the original application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ckmoss01 Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 Thanks guys. I'll check it out this evening. I seem to recall that it is an LS1, but I'll ask again if I don't make any progress. Thanks for the help! CMOSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Geek Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 If it is in fact an LS-1 it should be easy to tell as it should have a black composite F/I intake manifold. It the motor and tranny are out of a 99 vette then it should have a transaxle type of tranny meaning that the tranny is part of the rear diff. Can you tell us if it is carburated or F/I? Another way to narrow it down is to find out what side the oil dipstick is on as well as whether it has a one piece rear main. This will help narrow it down to a late or early model block. As the other guys stated one surefire way to tell is with the casting numbers. Hope some of this rambling helps. Cheers !!! Jim C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 Um, isnt another easy indicator that the LS1 doesnt have a distributor on the back of the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ckmoss01 Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 That is a question I had, too. I had seen on the forum that the LS1 distributor is in front. If mine is in back, would that suggest an LT1? My apologies for these vary basic questions, but I am just getting started on engines from a base of zero and an interest level of 99. Thanks! CMOSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 The LS1 is a distributorless motor with a coil for each cylinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted November 12, 2003 Share Posted November 12, 2003 That is a question I had' date=' too. I had seen on the forum that the LS1 distributor is in front. If mine is in back, would that suggest an LT1? My apologies for these vary basic questions, but I am just getting started on engines from a base of zero and an interest level of 99. Thanks! CMOSS[/quote'] The LT1 also has a front mounted distributor (OptiSpark), unless it's the early 70s LT1. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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