Engine ID by VIN or other code?

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gzig5

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I'm on the prowl for a 360 LA block and last time I was at the yard I found that most of the trucks you couldn't see the block casting numbers and a few I couldn't tell if they were 318 or 360s. I was on another mission so didn't spend too much time looking then. I'd like to get a 89-92 360 with roller lifters and LA head oiling, but just being able to tell what size the motor is from the VIN or an emission sticker would be helpful. Are there "tells" for the various generations of trucks? I found some reference to the 8th digit of the VIN on early 2000's? What about the early 90's and the 80's. I don't think they had anything from the 70's but maybe.
 
First think I look at is the harmonic balancer. A 360 will have either an add-on weight or a notch in the balancer. All years.

There is a way to tell from the VIN, pretty sure "Z" is 360/5.9 for a lot of years, but there might be are other codes as well. Someone else will have to fill that in.
 
Also look at the pan. A 318/340/273, the front/ rear pan "half moon" cutouts are same size. A 360 the rear cutout is considerably smaller
 
You just need to look at the casting numbers on the driver side where the starter is located. It has the size 318, 340, 360, ...
Identification
All Magnum engines are stamped either 360 or 318 on the driver’s side near the rear of the block. The casting number found on all 360 Magnum blocks is 5302006, whereas the 5.2/318 Magnums are 53006714 or 53006657. Otherwise, the 5.2 and 5.9 appear pretty much identical. Scroll down to page 14 for all the part numbers.
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/Mopar_Drivetrain_Numbers.pdf
 
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Yet another "look" is right below the head/ block deck line on the front of the block, driver side. There is a long stamped number, unless the block is a rebuild, and the CID is in the first few numbers.
 
MoparLeo said:
You just need to look at the casting numbers on the driver side where the starter is located. It has the size 318, 340, 360, ...
Identification
All Magnum engines are stamped either 360 or 318 on the driver’s side near the rear of the block. The casting number found on all 360 Magnum blocks is 5302006, whereas the 5.2/318 Magnums are 53006714 or 53006657. Otherwise, the 5.2 and 5.9 appear pretty much identical. Scroll down to page 14 for all the part numbers.
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/Mopar_Drivetrain_Numbers.pdf
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the numbers that’s very helpful. Unfortunately many of these trucks are sitting down on the frame with no front wheels are suspension under them so getting underneath is next to impossible. But I just remember that I have one of those wireless borescope cameras but I got off Amazon and I should be able snake that down along the block to see the numbers numbers
 
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