engine id.

[terry speth]

My valve covers say 350hp the engine pad Has FI223HE is this a 350hp or 300hp Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: engine id.

Terry-----

If you're talking about a 1966, 1967, or 1968 Corvette, the "HE" suffix code indicates a 300 hp. Considering the valve cover decals you mention, I presume that it's a 1966. If so and if the valve covers are aluminum, then BOTH the valve covers and the decals have been "retrofitted".

If the car happens to be a 1965, then the engine was originally a 250 hp.

It's possible, of course, that someone "upgraded" the engine internals and decided to call it a 350 hp. That can easily be done. However, it's more likely that just the valve cover decals and/or valve covers were added.

Also, keep in mind that the 350 hp engine for 1965-67 used an aluminum intake manifold; 300 hp used a cast iron. So, that's another identifying feature unless it's been changed, too. The harmonic balancer for 350 hp engies was 8" OD. 300 hp were about 6-1/4" OD.

[terry speth]

Re: engine id.

Thanks Joe It is a 66. I bought this vette at the mecum auction in fl. The owner clames to have rebuilt the original engine. And they have been calling it a 350. however The intake is alumium and the balancer is 8" This seems to be an upgrade. Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: engine id.

Terry------

Performance-wise, the engine may have been upgraded to L-79 configuration. It's not too hard to do. Internally, only the cam, pistons, and valve size needs to be changed. The existing heads can be re-worked to install the larger valves. However, I really doubt that this was actually done. The cam and pistons may have been changed, though.

Apparently, the intake manifold, harmonic balancer, and valve covers have been changed to L-79 configuration. The distributor may or may not have been recurved to L-79 specs.

In any event, while the engine may perform to L-79 specifications, the current configuration of the engine as can be easily discerned is not consistent with the "HE" engine code. So, from an NCRS or NCCB judging perspective, the car would take a significant judging penalty. If that's not in your plans, then there is no problem. If it is, then you would need to return the engine, at least externally, to the 300 hp configuration.