Accuracy of engine decoding

[rlsllc]

A buddy has a motor in his dad's barn that he wants to move. It has the code 14010207 on the left rear, and T1221TDA on the right front, along with TAF711516 (which I beleive to be a partial VIN) stamped below it on the right front. It is a factory 4bbl.

From what I've found on decoding sites, such as
http://www.ajgeneral.com/sbc_block_casting_numbers/
http://www.mortec.com/
http://www.nastyz28.com/
http://www.73-87.com/chevy_ids/scode7.htm,

14010207=80-85 350, 2 or 4 bolt main, Pass,Malibu,Camaro, and truck;

T1221TDA breaks down to T=Tonawanda, 1221- December 21, and TDA=C-10,15 (1/2 ton truck).
There is another code that looked like a time code, like L149, but it was hard to see.

It would be cool if it was a 4 bolt steel crank, but that's unlikely. I would be cool, though.

Anyway, does anyone know how accurate the charts tend to be?

He won't name a price, and I'm hesitant to offer. I'm thinking $100, any thoughts?

I may just break it down to see what it is and the condition inside. Prolly needs freshened up anyway. I was given permission to do so whether I buy it or not.

[Rebel]

That's a fair price for a bare 4 bolt and what else is with the block ? just the crank or what ? If there's more, like crank and rods and they can be used,,even a little better deal. If the crank and rods can't be used and the block is good, you still didn't get ripped off. Will he give you your money back if the block is cracked or any other issues that may need to be done like a sleeve ?

[rlsllc]

Actually Larry, it is a complete motor, all accessories, belts, manifolds, even has a TC mounted to the flex plate. My buddy's brother wants the carb (Quadrajet), but it's even on there.

It was dropped into a Camaro and was running poorly, and leaking oil, so they pulled it back out. It turned out that the fuel pump housing was busted, and was the source of the oil leak and lack of power. It was hanging on by a thread, and snapped off by hand.

My buddy's brother thinks that it came out of a Impala , but may not have been original.

As far as a conditional sale, once money has changed hands, that's it in our group. It's buyer beware, but I can disassemble it for inspection as long as I reassemble it if I don't want it, that's fair enough for me. I suppose I could have it tanked and checked out...I'll have to think about that one. Most of the accessories, manifolds, even the heads prolly wouldn't be used by me. That may change dependent upon what they are. I'm looking for another 350 short block, they're getting scarace around here.

I guess if I was Peter, I'd just go buy a nice used truck and cut it up for parts.

(J/K)

[BLAZER]

Roy, stick with the TDA code from the front right pad under head. I've always used the nastyz28 codes ( since I had 4- 2nd gens).That was one of most accurate codes up until 85-86 when they got away from it some. Looks like that motor was out of a truck. 2 bolts can be built to hold up to around 400-450 without grenading. I would grab it anyway if price was right. I hope to do something with the 80 motor I got in my garage that's been in same corner since 2000....hopefully one day!!!!!

[Smiliesafari]

I agree with Larry and Marty. If you can get it for $100 grab it. Here in central Florida a good rebuildable core motor is worth $300, whether it's a two bolt or a four bolt.

[Mr_Roboto]

yeah a running 350 is worth $100 IMO, they are hard to find when I was in Carbondale.

[GEJ]

Roy,
Look at the pads on the cyclinder heads.If it has a diamond Y stamped on it,it's one of my engines that I tested and for sure one of the good ones.LOL