Hello all... I was able to score a SBC block(was told a small journal 327), crank, and rods for $75... I was able to somewhat ID the block using the numbers but I want to be 100% sure with what I have... I am going to get the block hot tnked and cleaned up cuz it needs Cam bearings and freeze plugs and i also can't read the year due to slight corroison... the crank numbers read that its a forged crank from a 265/283... the crank number is 3815822... the block number is 3959512... on the bellhousing, the numbers read H25 HB 338512... the numbers above the oil filter pad follows 371 386 103 N and the numbers in the timing cover area read 618 632 639.... the reason I'm curious is I was reading on a forum and a guy had the same number block as this and it was a replacement 302 block, which would be a cool find... the block came from a guy who raced Street Stock/Sportsman/Late Model circle track classes in the 80s and early 90s so anythings possible... thanks for any assistance.

 

3959512: 1962-67 327, 2 bolt main. Was also used as a replacement block. H25 is a date code: August 25 (H=8th month). Is there a number (2-7) after the the H25, that would denote the year. However, the crank is from a 1967 302. Someone rebuilt that engine as a 302. Chevy Small Block Engine Casting Codes

 

Do I have any options for more CI? I know with it being a small journal, I can't throw a 350 crank into it unless I machine the crank, which wouldn't be cost effective since I already have a good block/crank... I was considering just staying with the 302... the block has slight rust and the cylinder walls have surface rust so an overbore might be necessary... I guess I could duplicate the DZ 302 build... but I need something light to put it in... maybe the S10 heheh... or I could find a cheap rolling chassis

 

I'd keep it built as a 302 myself. Does it have solid or hydraulic lifters? Just curious how closely it was built to 302 specs.

 

The motor had a solid lifter Cam... it was an old circle track motor in the 70s... I brought it to my machine shop and the guy said it needed to be glass beaded before he hot tanked it and even then he said the probability of media contaminating the motor are high... the block/mains/Camaro bearing surfaces are severely rusted and with the prices of used shortblocks, I think its more cost effective to go with a different block anyway... at least for $75, I got a good forged 302 crank and rods which I can reuse.

 

Maybe it's a 302 crank: Parts Identifier
I also looked up the crank in my casting numbers book, and it lists it as a 283 crank, no mention of 302.
Yet some online sources show it strictly as a 302. Doesn't really matter much though, since you're not building a vintage restoration engine.