Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 78 chevy g-20 engine ID

I have searched and searched for info on the engine that I have in my van but have come up with nothing. Someone changed the motor in this van before I got it and it is not the stock 292 with intigrated intake manifold. The number that is stamped on the pad behind the distributor is FO13OTUH. According to some of the literature that I have found this means that it was made in June on the first day of the third year. I am assuming that the third year meaning 1973. As for the remaining four didgits I have been unable to decipher what they mean. I need some help with this as I am in desperate need of mechanical parts.
Thanks for all the help.
Brien

[This message has been edited by brienkd (edited 02-04-2004).]

The sum total of my 292 knowledge ends w/ the '72 model year, but I think you are confusing the block casting numbers on the passenger side rear [above the dipstick] with the dress numbers stamped into the distributor pad.
On my old '67 block they stamped FO626UH. Looking up the last 2 letters in the LMC catalog shows "UH" was stamped on blocks in 1967 and 1968. I'm pretty sure the rig I pulled this block from was a '67 longbed stepside in forest service green. The block that originally came in my '68 orange stepside was stamped FO627XAE. The "XAE" I've never seen explained on any chart. Leo Santucci says "the numbers stamped into the distributor pad indicate where the block was cast and its dress: (what compression ratio and accessories it had)."
As for casting numbers and date code, I have a '63 model year 292, its dress # is F III 6 PG, cast on Con 2, K 12 2 and casting # 3789404. That means it was cast on November 12 1962 on Conveyor 2.
On the '67 block [dress: FO626UH] it reads: Con 2 F 22 7, casting # 3921970. (June 22 1967). But I can't get to the '68 casting numbers tonight w/o waking up the whole neighborhood.
Hope this helps.

If this chart is correct maybe you have an '81 250.
http://www.73-87.com/7387stuff/engineid.htm

Short or tall side covers? (tall is 292)
Fuel pump in center of engine or motor mount? (Fuel pump in center is 292)
Hope this helps.


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Pete Geurds
64 Malibu SS
64 Chevelle 2dr wagon
64 Malibu 4 dr sedan

[This message has been edited by Chevelle292Wagon (edited 02-05-2004).]

Thanks for the replies. I posted this query to another site and got some interesting info back.
So armed with this new info I took a second look at my motor. Here is what I found.
On the block next to the starter is CON 2 A 78
In the center of the block behind the fuel pump is 377129.
Now I went to inliners casting#'s and looked up this info and it tell me that it is a 73- 84 292.
Ok great. Now here comes the confusing parts, yes parts.
1: The 78 292 had an integral head\intake manifold. Mine does not. So what you say someone could have changed the head. Well that is a possibility. Brings me to another question. What head is on that motor and where do I find the casting marks\numbers to ID it.
2: "To tell the difference between the LD (low deck 230 or 250) and the TD (tall deck 292) check the motor mount and distributor location. TD from the front is oil filter - motor mount - distributor, LD is oil filter - distributor - motor mount."
My configuration is oil filter - distributor - motor mount. This brings me back to the F0130TUH number. According to one of the truck sites (can't remember what one I have broused so many) the TUH suffix states that it is an 81 250 fitted in a C-10, K-10, C-20. I have a 78 G-20. That in it self doesn't mean much as most of these parts are interchangeable, It just adds to my utter CONFUSION.
Short or tall side covers? If I had to guess I would say tall (8 or 9 inches) as I don't know what you mean by Short or tall side covers?
Fuel pump in center of engine or motor mount? (Fuel pump in center is 292)
Fuel pump is in center of engine.

HELP PLEASE
Brien

Brien,
Sounds like you have a 292. Good. While I'm not perfectly expert on the later motors, I seem to recall hearing that some 292s made for commercial applications did not have the integral cast manifold head but were issued from the factory with the older style head. Did the original owner of your van run it in a fleet or a delivery service? If so, you may have the original head after all. I think the castin #s for the head are on the passenger side vertically, between a couple of plug holes. Good Luck,
Brian

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'71 GMC Jimmy 350, sm465, np205,3.73 posi.
'68 C/10 Stepside 292 (.030 over) Offy I,Holley 390,Clif ex, sm465, 3.73 posi.
'67 K/10 454 project.
'72 K/5 rolling frame project.

Brien,
Just in case there's any doubt:
The smaller engines have side covers that are 4 1/4" tall.
The 292's are just a hair under 6".
No confusing the two.
The part about the low deck and tall deck engines I find confusing. Is that from "the book"? All you need to know is the motor mounts and fuel pumps are opposite on the 292's from the other motors.
When you try to put a 292 in a car and find the fuel pump is now sitting above the crossmember and the motor mount holes are out in space you'll have no doubts about what you're dealing with!


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Pete Geurds
64 Malibu SS
64 Chevelle 2dr wagon
64 Malibu 4 dr sedan

Brian, Pete,
I have to agree that it is a 292. Almost everything that I've read points me to that conclusion.
I have read somewhere that some of the commercial 292's did not come with the integral head design which just adds to the confusion.
I did find two sets of numbers cast on the passenger side of the head. The one that is near the back of the motor is 1184 the one that is near the front of the motor is 1182. I'm not sure that these are the numbers that I am looking for. I think that I have to take the valve cover off.
This was a custom van in its former life so who knows how it was ordered.
The side covers are atleast 6" tall maybe more. I didn't actually measure them but they are not 4 1/4".
The part about the low deck and tall deck engines I got from a posting to another board. I found it confusing also.
Another thing that I find confusing is the F0130TUH number stamped on the pad behind the distributor. The TUH suffix states that it is an 81 250 fitted in a C-10, K-10, C-20.
I got that from 73-87.org.
"the book"? What book? I need "the book". Where do I get "the book"?
And yet another thing. Yea, I know you all are getting tired of this.
I've been looking for a reman head. Seems that there are several varities.
The main thing that I have found are:
63-66, 67-72 and 73-85. Aside from the smog stuff is there any real difference between these heads or are the all interchangable.

Thanks for all the help that have provided.
Brien

Yes, the earlier style, pre emissions head fits on the newer block, I've been told. Also the heads for 194, 230, 250 and 292 all use the same blank casting, how they differ is in the valve size and spring tensions and types. Could be some milling on the chamber above the piston, but I'm guessing here.

Check on "Club Stuff" page:
Leo Santucci's
Power Manual is here!
For a limited time get yours for $19.95 (includes shipping!)

I remember him id-ing 292's as tall deck and others as low deck. At least I think it was like that.


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Pete Geurds
64 Malibu SS
64 Chevelle 2dr wagon
64 Malibu 4 dr sedan

In "Santucci Speak," a 292 is a heavy duty tall deck (HD/TD) and the 230,250s are standard duty low decks (Std/LD). He deliberatly does not use the manufacturer's cubic inch designations because most hotrodders enlarge the bore, creating a larger displacement. So a 292 L6 bored .030 over is actually 296 CID, .060 = 301, .080 = 304, .090 = 306, .100 = 307, .125 = 311. But if you went into a parts store and asked for stuff for a '296' you will get either the wrong part or a puzzled look.