Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Engine numbers

I have a new engine that I will be rebuilding. On the block are the numbers 3769716 and Con 4 L140.
Stamped near the distributor is FI2I5JC,
and cast on the side of the heads are B41 848

I've looked at various sites on the casting numbers and determined that I have a 235 from December 60 which would make it out of a 61 vehicle. I cannot find the distributor stamping listed anywhere.

Can anyone shed any more info on this engine?

F=Flint(MI)
12=December
15=Day
JC ?

Thanks for this info.

When were these numbers put on the engine? I'm assuming the casting numbers were in the mold when the iron was cast which would mean the L140 was cast December 14 1960. The distributor boss was then the next day? Would that have been stamped when the engine was assembled? If so, then they didn't waste any time on this one.

What about the numbers on the head B41 848 and right below the 848 are the numbers 850?

Like Walt says the numbers on the dist pad indicate the actual assembly date. It can be as long as 30 to 90 days later than the casting date.
It all depended on foundry and engine plant production schedules.

The JC or other letters that follow the stamping define what vehicle and powertrain options that engine ended up with. Powerglide, Manual trans, Passenger car, 1/2 or 3/4 ton pick up, etc, etc.

The CON 4 cast in the block identifies what conveyor the block travelled on during production.
Totally meaningless to anyone except if there were warranty problems. The factory could then narrow down the area during production where the problem might have occured.

A good source for interpreting suffix codes is a Service Trades Edition of Motors Manual that included the year of that engine / vehicle. These pop up a lot at swap meets from people selling shop manuals and so on.

The "JC" is for a truck 235 with manual tranny. That code was used from 58-62, so having the date code from the casting is necessary to pin it down further (which is what you have done allready).
Hollander interchange manuals usually have all these codes listed also...

This is great information, thanks to everyone for helping.

I'm a real novice on this and am looking forward to getting inside and seeing what all needs to be done. I want to get going on this rebuild so I can get the 216 out of the 49 chevy and the rebuilt 235 in.

Are there any manuals or websites that will help guide me through the rebuilding process? Any suggestions or tips will be gladly accepted.

A factory shop manual for the year of engine should be enough for a rebuild. You can find them used or new reprints at most larger swapmeets, on Ebay, or though vendors in Hemmings Motors News. Most places that sell parts for the older cars will also carry a selection of manuals.

Which year manual do I need?...the engine code is December 60 which would make it from a 1961 model and the JC from the distributor stamp would make it a truck. so should I look for the 1961 or 1960 manual and should it be a car or truck manual?

Any 59-62 car or truck manual will work. The only difference might be if it has solid or hydraulic lifters. I would probably go for the truck one to get the specs for the solid lifter adjustments.

These engines prefer solids, so if it has hydros, you may want to change it over...