rockit

iTrader: (3)

hey guys, in my process of verification im checking the block to make sure its the hyd roller it supposed to be (previously replaced motor). what should an 87 l98 block have for digits on the drivers rear corner of the block? and that is the location of the number that will answer the question im asking right?
i've looked around a lil, what are the cam specs on the 87 l98's, dunno if it makes a diff that its a pontiac motor.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Casting # ends in 638. Yes that's the place.

No you can't tell if it's a roller motor, or even if the block is fully machined for the factory roller setup, from the outside. The provisions are cast in, but may or may not have been completed, if the block was destined for a TBI truck or Caprice.

Cam specs are on the Tech Data pages of this site.

It's not a Pontiac motor; it's a Chevrolet motor, like any other L98. No need to worry about that. Odds are, if it's a "rebuilt" motor, it doesn't have a factory cam, regardless; so it's probably a non-issue.

doc

I am the only owner of my '87 IROCZ so I know this number is factory correct. The block number of an 1987 L98 is: 14093638. My production code is E127 (however, I do not remember how this is coded).

rockit

iTrader: (3)

WTF? ive double checked and triple checked, im lookin at the right spot, the block says "gm SG1" googled it, nothing. its about an inch inboard of where the block casting turns straight own and just ahead of the trans. right place for a casting code.
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quadruple cecked and SGI

doc

Well, the part number is on the pass side on the back side of the china wall in line with the dizzy hole. The production date code is on the drvr side behind the china wall. Also, there is a 5.7L casted into the block which is next to the production date code, close to cylider #7, but still on the back side of the china wall. To see all of these numbers, you must look down on to the block from above.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

wait aint it reverse of that? my old chevy block has the code on the driverside

onebad89RS

what a coincidence, i have the exact same block and mine was out of a full size gmc Jimmy. but the production date you have is from may 12th of 87. E is the 5th letter, so the 5th month is may, 12 is the day, and 7 is the year. luckily your the only owner of your engine so you know it's an 87. but if it were any block laying around, it could be 57, 67, 77, 87, or 97.
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SGI is one of those few meaningless numbers cast into an engine block.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

allright? so i need to check another number? it was in the same spot my camaro and '76 sbc blocks had their codes. next to the sgi is a rather large "GM" stamp, haven't seen that before in that location

onebad89RS

What exactly do you wanna know? IIRC your orginal question was if it's a roller motor. only way to tell is to get the casting number off the engine and date code...if it's an 87 or up block it will have provisions for roller cam machined into the engine. pre 86 didn't have roller cams from the factory.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

so if the casting number isnt where its supposed to be then where is it? and where is the date code?

rockit

iTrader: (3)

according to doc the date code is on the driverside behind the china wall. is SGI a date code? that's where its located. both of my other smallblocks had the code on the driverside just ahead of the trans on the block.

onebad89RS

as your looking from the back of the block. the casting number will be on the passenger side. date code is on the driver side near top, and will be a letter, and 3 numbers.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

As you are looking from the back of the block (flywheel end), the casting number will be on the driver's (left) side.

That's the same block I have, ZZ3 crate engine, 1991 era.

TransAM Joe

iTrader: (6)

If you follow the number eight piston up the china wall the set of numbers you see right behind the wall is the block casting numbers, see if this picture helps.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

allright thanks for the help, im going to jack up the trans first chance i get to see if i can get a better view of the back of the block. this really threw me for a loop because in the past the number i have used to identify a block has always been on the driver side inline with the dizzy, as it is on the 350 4 bolt main i have in the barn, however its been awhille and as usual my memory is suspect for the error. ill get back on soon as ai have more info and thanks for the effort