Thread: 1979 SBC 400 police interceptor

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There is a casting number on the rear of the block on the driver's side, just in front of the bellhousing mating surface. It will usually be glommed up with grease and debris, so you will need to use a heavy-bristled brush and maybe a little solvent like kerosene to clean it up enough to read it. You'll also need a very strong flashlight or mechanic's trouble light to shine in there between the firewall of the car and the back of the motor.
Here's the engine block casting number (looking from the rear of the motor).....
http://www.speednik.com/files/2013/0...asylum-com.jpg

Here's a set of brass, steel and heavy plastic bristle brushes available at Walmart....
Cleaning Tools Toothbrush Style Mini Wire Brush 3Pcs - Walmart.com

The other main identifier is a stamped number and letters on the passenger side of the block just past the end of the cylinder head, stamped into the block very close to the top water pump bolt on the passenger's side. It will be an alpha-number something like this....V0312CTG.
You may have to remove the alternator or other engine-driven accessory to see it clearly.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d.../DSC09740A.jpg

If you'll post those two numbers, the casting number from the rear of the block and the suffix number from the front of the block, we can probably nail down what the motor is and what vehicle it was built for at the factory.

Remove one of the valve covers from the motor and post the casting number of one of the heads with us and we can really nail down the performance characteristics for you....
http://www.speednik.com/files/2013/09/stockCastNo.jpg

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