I'm trying to identify a motor in my 68 convertible Camaro. I tried to look up the numbers on a few different websites however I'm confused. I know its not the original motor from the car. The info appears to be:

18S418054 (Partial VIN?)
V0314CLA (Engine Code?)
25 GM 3970010 (casting Code?)

Thanks Jesse

CLA on a SBC is a '73, '74 or '77 350 4bbl mated to an automatic in a Vette. HP would be 190, 195 and 180 respectively... Sure don't see how the vin works with the years but the 010 does...

... 18S418054 (Partial VIN?)

Thanks Jesse

Assembled on March 14th at Flint Engine.

Installed in vehicle with partial VIN of 18S418054 - decodes as;
1 = Chevrolet Division
8 = 1978 year model
s = St. Louis final assembly (Corvette assembly plant)
418054 = last 6 digits of complete VIN sequence of vehicle

3970010 = a 4" bore SBC casting ...

CLA 1977 350 180 4 a/t
CLA 1974 350 195 4 tur hydro. 400
CLA 1973 350 190 4 tur hydro. 400

3970010 1969-69 350 255-350 4 Truck/Passenger/Chevelle/Chevy II/Corvette/Camaro
3970010 1970-80 350 145-350 2/4 Truck/Passenger/Chevelle/Chevy II/Corvette/Camaro

This should be your standard 1978 Corvette L48 350cu engine having 180hp from the factory. Nothing stellar, but it may have 4-bolt mains and possibly could have a steel (forged) crank, but I'm not sure.

I think we all agree with that Bryan but the published data we are all finding doesn't show the "CLA" used in '78. So which is it?

1> incomplete data
2> transplanted block block placed in a '78 and restamped with '78 vin...
3> ???

Just one of those couriosity things, doesn't impact the Camaro it's in now that's for sure...

... but the published data we are all finding doesn't show the "CLA" used in '78.
So which is it?

1> incomplete data
2> transplanted block block placed in a '78 and restamped with '78 vin...
3> ???

...

Most likely 1 or 3 ;)
No reason to restamp a block then ...
I have personally run into several cases of the original GM information having incorrect references to Suffix codes. The published info on sites is most often extracted from these sources and reformated to fit the site, so the same inaccuracies get restated. Listings based on investigated applications are harder to come by, some sanctioning bodies and collector clubs have collected it but few publish this info and then only from time to time.

See if I were to speculate about this blocks origins it would be -
'This was probably one of the original Pace Cars built with a special one-off version of the RPO-L48 from a '77 and then highly modified to meet the needs of the Indy officials ... :D

Like said - 'it's a late 70's 4" bore block and may be a 4-bolt' - "party on dude"

As always JMHO's

OR - the "A" is really a misread 'R' ...
A photo would allow more info to go on.

This could very well be an L-82 out of a 1978 "Silver Anniversary Edition" Corvette equipped with all the forged goodies!.....Does this motor sound like it's got a long duration "lopey" idle to it?.....Do you hear a slight piston clattering sound, which goes away, after your first "cold" start up?.....This is a normal sound from forged pistons.

Thanks for all the information. I've tried to double check the information on the engine but as you can imagine, it can be hard to read. I looked for a date code on the engine but couldn't find one. I was going to include a picture of the stamped information however the alternator bracket is in the way and its nearly impossible to photo against the firewall. For now I'll go with the information above as my guideline.

Thanks Jesse

There was no "CLA" suffix used in the 1978 Corvette; the only one that's close is "CLR", which was a 175hp L-48 California THM-350. '78 Corvette #418054 was built on January 31, so it wouldn't have had a March engine. Suggest re-checking the stampings.

:beers: