G day all.

This is my first post and I apologise for straight away coming online with a question and please excuse my lack of knowledge but im running at a loss with indentifying my chevy block that I was given many years ago. I would like to put it in a 72 HQ wellbody that I have but would like to try and ID it first. Have also put up photos of the ute I would like to put the chev in and the present VJ prefix 304 that I would like some clarity on as the VJ prefix seems to be a bit of a grey area?.

I have been told that the knowledge base here is very vast and accurate and If someone is able to assist me in any way I would much appreciate it.

I have tried to ID the block and have spent way too many hours on the interweb and still can't narrow it down due to the huge and very ambiguous info surrounding the 3970010 blocks.

Im guessing that its been decked at some stage making the stamped numbers on the front right pad very difficult to make out as there appear to be two lots with the bottom ID stamps still just partially visible.

Was this block originally out of a Holden?

I haven't been able to remove the pan as yet but will down the track.

I think its been stroked to 383? from originally a 350??

2 Bolt main? going on the size of the plugs near the oil Filter

What Year is the engine? I think maybe a 69? or 68?

What does the S Cast letter indicate? Im guessing short

Casting number 2 near main block casting number?

Why are the 010 numbers on both sides of the block?

The letters I can make out on the right front pad are Possibly U I T T (T on top and bottom lines) K L?. Numbers - 509861 with a 1 also on the top line?

2 Timing chains?

Was the harmonic balancer specific to an engine size?

Ha anyone seen the Block casting number facing the GM cast letters?

I have attached a photo with the VERY ROUGH measurement using a plastic set of verniers indicating the stroke?. Im guessing its a 350 stroked to 383?

There are two different number Pistons? They are dome top forged pistons?

The appears to be a D stamped near the Oil filter?

I look forward to your reply as Ive never had to try an ID such a mess before and Its left me scratching my head.

Cheers
Daniel

G Day DR Terry.

Thank you for your reply and Info, Much appreciated.

Cheers
DW

If it still has the original heads with it, VJ prefix VL 304s got the big valves from the factory, and induction hardened seats.
Even though it has been decked & re-stamped, the number sequence is correct for a later VL (late '87 or '88).

Hi DW , I can point out a few things , but more will come from the experts . Yes 80480 is Kingswood V8 ute , no you cannot tell from these early plates what V8 that was. 567-13884 is Chateau Mauve , which according to an August 1972 GMH colour chart was not available on Kingswood . Metallic paint was not normally available on commercial Holden's. Melb built 3 HQ Premier wagons with 350 up to 15/06/72 , so anything is possible . Thanks Mark.

Many thanks again HK1837 and also thank you justgm for your info.

The ute when I acquired it had a GTS wheel with a plain rubber centre cap minus the GTS badge and after looking up the U21 Instruments on Majestic vanners confirmed that is the GTS dash in the photo. would have the wheel been an option or due to being fitted with the U21 cluster have part of the deal?

The dash has a split in the plastic down near the adjusters on the right which I will be looking to get repaired or if easier just replace.

What badge would have the ute initially had on the tailgate? The V8 badge? someone has put the earlier badge on the tailgate with the 253 logo on it as there are two old holes just behind it.

The front end has the premier lights and was that an option to be fitted from the factory? I dont have the ute with me now as I would check to see it the CM colour was present under the overspray presently in place. What grill would have been in place initially for the period and options available.

It initially had the Hotwire rims on it which im certain wouldn't have been available from the factory and was wondering which rims would have been optioned with the ute at the time?

Attached is a photo of the diff currently in place.

Are the rubber mats available presently that would suit the model Requirements?

Would have the bucket seats been the normal black leather buckets found in the Kingswood?

What shroud would have been around the bottom of the Gear stick?

It initially had one steel GTS badge on the drivers side above the flutes which been press fitted and not bolted on? not sure if that has any relevance at all but it was there.

Thanks again

Cheers HK1837

Will bet onto the catalog ect and much appreciated for your time and knowledge.

All the best
DW

I doubt it. I have both Sandman prototypes recorded, both December 1972 cars, both 000M dealer codes. The ute is a Kingswood in Salamanca Red, the van a Belmont but specced up to Kingswood level (like a HX Sandman) in March 17th. I have seen the van in the flesh and the ute appears on GMH sales tender documents.

They were normally electrostatic red lead primer and got body colour overspray on them. All assembly plants differed a bit though. I'd say that colour is part of a respray at some stage.

Yes, they had vinyl there, it either sat flat on bucket seat cars or attached to the back of the bench seat for 3 seat cars. Not sure if that is the original or not, easily copied though.

10 trim had either black or neutral (lighter) headlining on Kingswood.

Not sure what you mean by FWD (front wheel drive) suspension? Discs were standard on all V8's.

Those are black WB door trims:
http://www.winnerproduct...AL-TOP-EXCHANGE%29.html

That vinyl between the seats looks very much the standard setup for a HQ bucket seat commercial 4spd that wasn't a Sandman. These had nothing between the seats so they put that vinyl there.