I am just getting started on a full resto on a 56' chevy pick up. I have a chevy small block that i think is a 350. Cast # 3970010 yet i do not know how to identify the year. I know that if it is 68' its a 327ci. this is the first resto ive ever done. please help

 

Either next to the 3970010 number or on the other side of the block back there, there will be a LETTER and 2 - 4 NUMBERS. LOTS of times the YEAR is just shown as 1 number. For example D13 9 in raised letters/numbers. The LETTER = MONTH
A=Jan
B=Feb
C=Mar
D=Apr
...
H=Aug
BUT! Sometimes they use I & O and sometimes not. IF not, then they have 24 Letters for Jan-Dec twice. M=Dec and N=Jan P=Feb Q=Mar etc.

Then 1 or 2 numbers next to the letter will give you the day of the month and the last one or two numbers separated from the others by a small space will be the year.

In D13 9 the 9 could be 69, 79, or 89. That block casting number was used on blocks from 1968 until 1992. And NO, it doesn't have to be a 327. Blocks in 1968 could ALSO have been 350 blocks.
In fact, in Prosis, AERA software, 3970010 doesn't show as a 327 number.

327 large journal numbers shown are:

3794460 3914660 3914678 3932368 3932373 3932386 3932388 3933180 3955618 3956618 3970014 3970020

Small journal 327 blocks have these numbers:

3782870 3789817 3791632 3794460 3853174 3858174 3858180 3858190 3876132 3892657 3903352 3908852 3933180 3953512 3959512

 

I have the following number on my block, 3976810 - all the other number plates have been ground down. what does " 3976810 " break down to ? Thanks in advance..

 

You have a 1969-79 3970010 350 185 low power, 370 high power 2 or 4 main caps car, truck, Vette

 

rebuilding my 350 as well, able to tell that it's a "87-95 - Car & Truck 2 & 4-bolt Passenger stick 1-piece seal" but having trouble understanding what this other line of numbers is. The date maybe?... it's on the drivers side, back of the block. Anyone? I1440?