Have you tried sanding the pad lightly, it may give you enough contrast if the numbers are still kinda there. You only need to catch the two or three letters of the suffix code (at the end of the # string).

 

Take a valve cover off and read the casting #'s on the head, might give you a better idea on what the mystery motor is.

http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/sbheads.htm

 

Your right. It wasn't that dark of a blue. But anyhow. What I was getting at is LOTS of people will rattle can a motor orange. Or blue for that matter. Its whats called a Mexican overhaul. No offense to anyone ethnicity. Just a name, like cracker.

 

ok i have the floor pans out now and wanna get them welded in before starting another project on the car. once i do i plan on getting this motor out and getting it apart. im hoping that everything will turn out good but right now with college midterms kinda hard to sneak away to have some fun

 

Engine paint is cheap. It's not the way to determine the year. I'm pretty sure that's what Damon meant. Anyone can paint an engine, regardless of what color it started out as.

 

yea i figured that and im going to end up painting it too cause its flaking badly but hopfully i can get all this done before december because i want to start new projects!