Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

[Robert George]

I am trying to decode an engine code suffix. The letter is "S". All that I have been able to find is that the "S" suffix was used on a 1962 327. No other information was given. The engine is described as a 1964 327/365hp. I have doubts about that. Thank you in advance.

Robert

[Chuck G.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Not sure what the "S" by itself means, but the "T" indicates assembly in Tonawanda, NY on March 10. Automatic transmission equipped Corvettes in the 62-64 time frame used 2 letter codes, SC, or SD for example. With the possible exception of some "3858180" small blocks in the late 64, possibly early 65 time frame (don't have book here to check), no Tonawanda small blocks were used in Corvettes. All big blocks were Tonawanda cast and assembled. What is the casting number and the casting date ? Typically, Tonawanda small blocks will have 2 digits for the year in the casting date, F1164 for June 11, 1964. Flint blocks have a single digit for the year, F114 for June 11, 1964. Others with more knowledge might elaborate further. Hope this helps. Chuck Gongloff

[Chuck G.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Not sure what the "S" by itself means, but the "T" indicates assembly in Tonawanda, NY on March 10. Automatic transmission equipped Corvettes in the 62-64 time frame used 2 letter codes, SC, or SD for example. With the possible exception of some "3858180" small blocks in the late 64, possibly early 65 time frame (don't have book here to check), no Tonawanda small blocks were used in Corvettes. All big blocks were Tonawanda cast and assembled. What is the casting number and the casting date ? Typically, Tonawanda small blocks will have 2 digits for the year in the casting date, F1164 for June 11, 1964. Flint blocks have a single digit for the year, F114 for June 11, 1964. Others with more knowledge might elaborate further. Hope this helps. Chuck Gongloff

[Robert George]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Thanks for the quick and insightful response Chuck. Using the VIN #, the car was 18,604 off the line in 1964, so maybe it did have a factory "T" motor. I need dig a little deeper. Thanks again.

Robert.

[Robert George]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Thanks for the quick and insightful response Chuck. Using the VIN #, the car was 18,604 off the line in 1964, so maybe it did have a factory "T" motor. I need dig a little deeper. Thanks again.

Robert.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Going back through the library, i can find only one reference of the use of a single letter "S" suffix on a 327, and that is 62-64 Pass Car Powerglide applications (250 hp) There has not been documented use of a Tonowanda block in a '64 to date, and an original Corvette application would carry the VIN of the car on the pad in addition to the Engine assy number. I doubt that you'll find this an original combination based on your description.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Going back through the library, i can find only one reference of the use of a single letter "S" suffix on a 327, and that is 62-64 Pass Car Powerglide applications (250 hp) There has not been documented use of a Tonowanda block in a '64 to date, and an original Corvette application would carry the VIN of the car on the pad in addition to the Engine assy number. I doubt that you'll find this an original combination based on your description.

[Jack H.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Interesting. Saw this configuration once on a 1959 GMC 60-Series bus engine. The pad on it's 283, 512 casting, was neatly wacked "F 1118 S".......

[Jack H.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Interesting. Saw this configuration once on a 1959 GMC 60-Series bus engine. The pad on it's 283, 512 casting, was neatly wacked "F 1118 S".......

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Jack-intresting-could be, many 283 combo's were single digit. I don't carry many truck codes in my library.

Clup

[Bill Clupper]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Jack-intresting-could be, many 283 combo's were single digit. I don't carry many truck codes in my library.

Clup

[Robert George]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Well, this is getting better all the time. The engine block casting number is darn hard to read (ie poorly cast). 3858180 is a definite possibility. The 3, 5, and 80 are pretty distinct (ie 3x5xx80). We also can sort of see the 1 mainly due to the spacing. Had four different people look at it and nobody really could say for sure that they could read all the numbers. Below and a little to the right is a much smaller "| | | 64" cast into the block. Above the block casting number (up on top but before the distributor if I remember right) is a large "3T" or "8T" and what looks like an analog clock casting about the size of a half dollar. That is a bunch of dots in a circle with an arrow in the middle. Thanks again for any ideas.

Robert

[Robert George]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Well, this is getting better all the time. The engine block casting number is darn hard to read (ie poorly cast). 3858180 is a definite possibility. The 3, 5, and 80 are pretty distinct (ie 3x5xx80). We also can sort of see the 1 mainly due to the spacing. Had four different people look at it and nobody really could say for sure that they could read all the numbers. Below and a little to the right is a much smaller "| | | 64" cast into the block. Above the block casting number (up on top but before the distributor if I remember right) is a large "3T" or "8T" and what looks like an analog clock casting about the size of a half dollar. That is a bunch of dots in a circle with an arrow in the middle. Thanks again for any ideas.

Robert

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Robert----

Block GM casting number 3858180 was a 327 cid block used in model years 1965 and 1966. It was used in full size passenger cars, Chevelles, and Corvettes(1965). It may also have been used in truck applications, but I have no reference for those.

Your block, being a Tonawanda cast block, was not originally used in a 1964 Corvette. Although you can only read the year portion of the casting date, the fact that it reads "64" would indicate that this was a block originally used in an early-build 1965 application, cast in the later half of 1964.

The "3T" or "8T" is probably a mold number with the "T" indicating a Tonawanda mold. The "T" on your engine pad stamping and the two digit year date code are further proof that this was a Tonawanda cast block.

I can find no reference to the "S" suffix code, but I strongly suspect that this was a truck application. Truck blocks were basically the same as passenger cars. If some previous owner had purchased a "rebuilt engine", the block came out of a rebuilder's core stocks without any concern whatsoever for suffix codes.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Code Suffix (T0310S)

Robert----

Block GM casting number 3858180 was a 327 cid block used in model years 1965 and 1966. It was used in full size passenger cars, Chevelles, and Corvettes(1965). It may also have been used in truck applications, but I have no reference for those.

Your block, being a Tonawanda cast block, was not originally used in a 1964 Corvette. Although you can only read the year portion of the casting date, the fact that it reads "64" would indicate that this was a block originally used in an early-build 1965 application, cast in the later half of 1964.

The "3T" or "8T" is probably a mold number with the "T" indicating a Tonawanda mold. The "T" on your engine pad stamping and the two digit year date code are further proof that this was a Tonawanda cast block.

I can find no reference to the "S" suffix code, but I strongly suspect that this was a truck application. Truck blocks were basically the same as passenger cars. If some previous owner had purchased a "rebuilt engine", the block came out of a rebuilder's core stocks without any concern whatsoever for suffix codes.