Need Help too ID Block

[2Slow4U]

I bought a 454 and need some help ID'ing the block. I'm new to BB so maybe I can get educated here.

The number on the front right just under the head (engine number?) is -14S164555- and the number on the back left (casting number?) is -3999289-. Also, in the same area is -T12- and a -P-


I'm just now looking around the web and a few manuals I have to find out what I can about the block.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[2Slow4U]

OK...I just read that it was a 72-79 2 bolt main for cars and trucks. I'm guessing it's out of a truck because of the -T12- on the backside.

Anybody have more info?

[jpdeuce]

Try mortec.com. Lots of codes and such there.

[ProdigyCustoms]

It is a 454 block. You need to look over on the flange area where you found the casting number, behind the distirbutor and find a

letter . number . number

Like B 13 71
or L 28 74

That will be the date. The first letter in the month, A being january, B being February, C being March, and etc. The second number (s) will be the day of the month, the 3rd number (s) will be the year

[2Slow4U]

OK, I just checked again. I know it's been a while but I just got back in town. I'll lay it all out again.



The number on the front right just under the head (engine number?) is -14S164555(very clear)- Also, there is a VX001801.(clear)

The number on the back left (casting number?) is -3999289-. Also, in the same area is -T12- and a -P- (all very clear)


On the opposite rear side is H 8 78. So August 8th 1978?

Edit--->This isn't making sense to me.

The H 8 or 9 and 78 or 73. I can't tell if its a 8 or 9 and a 78 or 73. I guess it would have to be a 73 if the 1(4) indicates the model year 74.

I can't nail down the VX001801 though. Any thoughts?

[2Slow4U]

OK, this is it. A mystery motor.


We have an I.D. problem. From 1970 and newer engines are identified by a three letter code on the boss where the VX001801 # was at. I can not find anything for the #'s you gave in any of my catalogs so I called GM Parts Technical Help line. Scott at GM says the #'s show the block to ONLY fit 72-75 454 2 bolt main car line (not truck) applications. the date stamp is correct that the engine was produced in 78. So the best we could come up with is it was brand new replacement engine produced in 1978 to fit 1972-1975. This is somewhat verified by the missing three letter I.D. (which is not put on replacement engines). The only problem is the 164555 should be the last 6 of the VIN, this would not have been on a replacement engine. So we are at not sure why it would not have the other code if it was indeed put into a factory production vehicle. In short we do not know for sure what or where this engine came from, since the #'s do not match, we are not even sure if any of them are correct. There are a few people out there that still have the build sheets from the 78-79 model line. If you could find one of them, they will be able to look up the last 6 of that vin and match it to a certain car. It will probably only match 2 or 3 vehicles per year, and then you could see from those 4 or 6 vehicles if any of them came with a 454 (once you find the last 6 on the sheet, it will list the complete vin and all the options the car came with). If you could find someone with the build sheets (called broadcast sheets), it would probably take about 4 or 5 minutes to do the rest.