- 1). Look for the engine ID number. It is typically found on the front of the engine block, on the passenger side, between the bottom of the cylinder head and the timing chain cover. The ID number is stamped on a machined pad that may be concealed by the alternator. To access the ID number, it may be necessary to clean the metal pad with cleaning solvent and a wire brush.
- 2). Write down the engine ID number. Normally, the engine ID number consists of six to seven numbers and letters. The format consists of a prefix, followed by a number and ending with a one to three-letter suffix. For example, "F0519QQ."
- 3). Decode the engine ID number. The first section of the engine ID number is decodable and identifies information such as the date and location of manufacture. Using the example "F0519QQ," the "F0519" portion means the engine was manufactured in Flint, Mich., on May 19, according to Nasty Z28. Each Chevrolet engine production facility has a unique letter code.
- 4). Reference the suffix of the engine ID number to a Chevrolet listing. In the example "C0519QQ," the suffix "QQ" identifies a 409-cubic-inch Chevy big block, originally installed on a 1964 Chevrolet Impala with 340 horsepower, when cross-referenced to the listings found on Nasty Z28. This website provides complete listings of Chevrolet engine suffix codes grouped alphabetically.
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