aluminum bb engine
 

i found this engine in a barn (no joke)it is casting # 3960452 the heads are casting #3919842 are these the correct heads? also i believe the block has been decked and restamped. is there anyway to found out what the vin # should be?...is it worth it? the # stamped on the block is T 0117 ML. any information greatly appreciated...john

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

John, if the block came from a ZL-1 Camaro, the VIN will be stamped vertically on the block near the oil filter. All ZL-1's were built at the Norwood plant and they did not stamp the VIN's by the assembly date you mentioned it is near where the bellhousing bolts to the block. There is also a raised casting date and inventory number on the side of the block that will tell you when the block was cast. The Tonawanda plant produced extra ZL-1 engines that were not installed in cars also. W/out the VIN no way to tell.

I don't have my book in front of me, but I believe the #842 heads are closed chamber L-89 heads. The ZL-1 heads were #074 open chamber.

Let us know what you find.

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

I would be intereted in the heads if you get it. I need them for my Chevelle.

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

i found 074 stamped on the front of the heads. i did not find any vin# near the oil filter housing. it appears that it has never been stamped there...the surface is still somewhat rough.
thanks
john

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

John, you are looking for a casting number on the heads. This is a RAISED number located under the valve covers. It is not stamped. You need to have the heads off the car to get the casting date as it is located on the underside of the runners. The casting number for the ZL-1 open chamber heads ends in "074" it is a 7 digit number.

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

John, was there a VIN on the block by the oil filter and what was the casting date?

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

could not find a vin # anywhere...where would the casting date be?

Re: aluminum bb engine
 

It is a raised number on the driver's side of the block near the front. The number is upside down.