Engine ID

[Bill]

I've just bought a 72 C-10 Chevy pick up and are trying to ID the 350 small block that's in it. On the front passenger side of the block the following numbers are there: VO922TBD (top) and directly under is: C9F323039.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[hurst01]

Bill, I don't have information on the numbers you gave except for the TBD. Below is what i have on it.

TBD 1970 350 4 convfwd cab, m/t
TBD 1971 350 255 4 conv. & fwd cabs
TBD 1979 350 165 4 conv. cab,m/t, fed

 

[Bill]

Ed,
Thanks, these numbers I found on the passenger front deck. I'm also going to try finding other numbers on the rear of the block if I can get to them, the engine is still in the truck. If the engine is worth anything, I may sell it as it starts without any problem and runs pretty good. The only thing I'm concerned about is it only produces about 15 pounds of vacuum.
Regards,
Bill

 

[hurst01]

Bill,
If the engine has a pretty decent size cam it can cause the vacuum to be low. if the timing is to slow it can also cause the vacuum to be a bit low. 15 inches of vacuum really isn't that low. Vacuum is measured by inches, not by pounds. Typically, a good running engine will pull 17-19 inches of vacuum at idle so I wouldn't be too worried about it.
But, to check for leaks you can spray something like Gum Out carb and choke cleaner around the base of the carburetor and around the intake to see if the RPM changes. You might check the idle air mixtures to make sure they are adjusted correctly. Do you know how to do this? If not, get back to me, it is pretty simple.

 

[Bill]

Ed -

Thanks for the reply and information. I'll try the carb cleaner to see if it makes a difference.

Regards,

Bill