How to decode engine #

Rael Fisher · Member

How to decode engine #

rebelrouser · Poncho Master!

First off check the vin. If you have 76367 then it had a 6 cylinder.Or if you have 76467 it had a V8.That is a good start.If it was a V8 chances are it was either a 283 or 327. It having a big block is very remote and 99% unlikely. Small blocks are very easy to find and inexpensive to rebuild. Hope this helps

Rael Fisher · Member

Thanks for the feedback. So based on my VIN I now know it was an 8, would be nice to know which one, but makes sense that it would be a 283 or 327.

68beaumont · Guru

The first two digits "80" of the engine number you have indicate a 283 195hp engine for 1965. Hope this helps.

Rael Fisher · Member

That's a big help, thanks!

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

If you send for the documents from GM Canada Vintage Vehicle Services it will tell you what size motor it was built with. Also the date built, the date shipped, selling dealer, number of that model built, all the options etc

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

From the 1965 Registry we see that 17% were 6 cylinder cars and 70% were 283 V8 cars, 12% were 327 V8 cars. A very very few came with the 409 V8.

68beaumont · Guru

Yes the 283 was the engine of choice in those days.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

68beaumont wrote:
Yes the 283 was the engine of choice in those days.

Today it seems like such a tiny engine but what an icon of a motor. GM must have built a billion of them. I was lucky to have owned an original 1957 283 220 hp powerpack in a 57 Chev i had. All hail the small block icon 283........... a heck of a great engine.

hawkeye5766 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

long stroke wrote:
68beaumont wrote:
Yes the 283 was the engine of choice in those days.
Today it seems like such a tiny engine but what an icon of a motor. GM must have built a billion of them. I was lucky to have owned an original 1957 283 220 hp powerpack in a 57 Chev i had. All hail the small block icon 283........... a heck of a great engine.

x2 Still have #match 283 in my 57. Just can't kill'em

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I am not about to dispute the iconic status of the 283 just pointing out that by today's standards it is not a tiny engine at all, at 4.7 litres it is massive in our current world of 1.6 and 2.0 litre engines.

long stroke · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
I am not about to dispute the iconic status of the 283 just pointing out that by today's standards it is not a tiny engine at all, at 4.7 litres it is massive in our current world of 1.6 and 2.0 litre engines.

Ray, i agree but i meant compared to many of the engines that die hard Chevy lovers are use to. After all the only Chev V-8 smaller was the 265 (1955 - 1956) and the 262 (late 70's - early 80's). Never the less that 283 made gobs and gobs of power. All hail the 283 icon.