l recently purchased a 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 that was owned by an older man. The motor blew at some point so he went to a Chevy New car dealer and had them install a brand new Chevy 350. l already took the motor out of the truck and junked the rest of the truck. l assume the motor is a GM Crate Motor, but know nothing about it. Without the truck is VIN # is there any way l can tell what model the motor is and what the HP and TQ numbers are?
The man loved this truck and bought it new. He spent THOUSANDS of dollars on it to install the new motor. When l went to look under the hood he had it lock down with a chain and pad-lock. l assumed it was at least the 290 h.p. version, not a stock replacement.
The motor was probably installed in the last 10 years.
Mike A,
Did you actuallly read the description or just post wildly? The motor is not imstalled in anything, so it could not be left intact. And l did not purchase the motor, It was installed in the truck that l was given, like it said in the details question. So there was no way that l got ripped off. And I am not as stupid as you make me sound in my ad. The motor did not cost me anything, l was simply asking a way to find out if the motor was worth anything the way it was. So thanks for your completly idiotic answer.

On the back side of the motor, where it would bolt to the trans, there will be a casting number, will probably start 150xxxx or something similar. Take that number & go to mortec.com & look it up. If u pop the valve covers off there will also be a casting number for the heads. Chances u probably have the 290h.p. version. Good relaible motor. l took one & now making 400h.p. Its got 4 bolt mains & one peice rear main seal. It should also have ceter bolt style valve covers.

Do not get yourself excited. What ur considering a crate motor is an advertising thing. Today's, hyped up crate motors r rebuilt, hot rod engines. What ur truck got was a standard dealership replacement engine. A nice '78 350 smog bog engine. Do not get me wrong, this is a good foundation block to begin with. Look on the rear flange behind the right head.There will be the casting number. It will tell u some about the block. Not much of any importance,best to rip it down & start a good rebuild. l made a few good screamers outta these smog blocks.

Get the casting number on the block & call GM parts, they can help find where the engine originally came from. This wo not tell u the output though.

l hope it was really cheap, u can buy a better starting point direct from GM for around 2 grand. Your 'crate engine' is simply for function, will need to be bored/stroked with a new rotating assembly if u want decent power. Save the heads/pulleys/belts/manifold/etc etc. to bolt on there afterward, these would be advised to upgrade as u go along or have the money. Basically this is a very overpriced block (hope it is a four bolt or u got ripped off), unless it is simply going from point A to point B. Then u could just keep it in tact & cruise around, no worries.