Repair And Fix it

Find the engine serial number. According to Old Car Manual Project, all 235-cubic-inch engine serial numbers are on the passengers side of the block, either near the oil dipstick or to the rear of the distributor. Pre-1954 engines have a two- to three-letter pix followed by a six-digit assembly number. Later engines begin with a seven-digit assembly number followed by the plant designation, model year and type designation; for example, 0123456 F 55 Z.

Decode the pre-1954 engine number. Old Car Manual Project decodes the example JAM 123456 as follows: "J" is the code for 1951. This year identification system began in 1941 with the letter "D" and continued in sequence until 1953 with the letter "L." The second letter, "A," is the vehicle designation and "M" is the plant code. The following six digits are the production sequence number. To decode the model designation and plant code, consult a listing similar to the one found on Old Car Manual Project. This listing has specific pixes identified as belonging to the 235-cubic-inch engine.

Decode the 1954 and later serial number. According to the website, 1954 and later serial numbers follow a different system, 0123456 F 54 Z, for example. The first set of numbers is the assembly sequence number, "F" is the plant designation, "54" is the 1954 year designation. The final set of letters -- in this case, "Z" -- are engineering codes. "Z" represents a standard 235 engine.

Remove the valve cover and the cylinder head to measure the stroke. Crank the engine until one of the pistons is at dead bottom. According to Museum Stuff, the 235-cubic-inch engine has a stroke measuring 3.9375 inches from the top of the piston to the top of the cylinder wall.

Open the vehicles hood and examine the engine compartment from the passenger side.

Find the engine code stamped on the upper portion of the engine block, below the cylinder head, near the mounting bracket for the alternator. The engine code consists of eight numbers and letters that will provide pertinent information about the engine.

Write the engine code down on a piece of paper.

Examine the first letter in the code. The first letter determines the manufacturing plants location. The second, third, fourth and fifth number positions in the code signify the day and month of manufacture.

Examine the remaining two or three-letter block of code. The block of letters at the end of the code represent the engines displacement, horsepower rating, specific vehicle application and fuel induction type.

Decode the first letter of the code using an online Chevy Engine Code Information Web page. Scroll down and click on the appropriate code suffix link, under the "Small Block Engine Suffix Code Menu" heading.

Locate the matching suffix code on the Web page to gain specific information concerning the engine. You also have the option of contacting the service department at a local Chevrolet dealer. Ask the service department representative to provide information regarding the engine code.

Count the number of spark plugs. The 350 is an eight-cylinder engine

Inspect the engine compartment to locate identification tags. GM usually places various tags, decals and other identification devices throughout the engine compartment. These usually provide any necessary information if it is not worn off.

Locate the casting identification number on the engine block. This number is stamped on a pad just forward of the right-side (passengers side) cylinder head and may be hidden by the alternator. Remove the alternator if necessary. The ID number usually consists of eight digits in a combination of numbers and letters.

Decode the ID number according to Chevrolets code system. For example, the number V0908CNJ breaks down as follows: V is the engine plant, followed by the month and day of manufacture and the engine suffix code. ID number V0908CNJ was manufactured at the Flint engine plant on October 8 and was originally installed in a 1970 Caprice with 250 horsepower. To decode the engine suffix, cross-referencing is necessary.

Slide under the vehicle to view the transmission pan. The transmission is under the center of the vehicle, immediately behind the engine. The pan is located on the bottom of the transmission and attached by 14 bolts. AOD, AODE and 4R70W transmissions all have the same pan shape, illustrated on Fordification.coms AOD section on the Automatic Transmission Identification page.

Look for the electronic cable and electrical plug. AODE and 4R70W transmissions have a plug on the drivers-side rear of the transmission housing. This is where the electronic control cable plugs into the unit and is what differentiates the older AOD transmission from AODE and 4R70W units.

Identify differences between the AODE and 4R70W. Although essentially the same transmission, the Thunderbird and Cougar Club of America identifies their differences as different gear ratios and the 4R70W having a larger outside diameter slip yoke on the drive shaft, requiring a different extension housing. Another identification tool, found on The Ranger Station, identifies the 4R70Ws transmission code as "U," which is located on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the inside Drivers side door post.

Locate the VIN number on your EG33 Subaru engine. The VIN number can be found stamped on the machine pad on the front portion of the engine block. It will begin with a "1."

Write down the VIN number. Copy every digit precisely, reading from left to right. Your Subaru VIN will consist of 17 digits.

Circle the 10th digit of the VIN. Start with the first digit on the left and count to the right. The 10th digit of the VIN on a Subaru represents the year of production. The EG33 engine was used in the 1990s as Subarus stock, six-cylinder engine. Therefore, if the 10th digit of the VIN is "6," the production year of your EG33 engine is 1996.

Park the car in a place that is easy to work in if the car can be moved. Lift the car engine hood and prop it up to stay open on its own. Locate the carburetor assembly on top of the V-8 engine.

Use a flashlight to help see the engine parts if you cant see well with the regular room or area light. Locate the exit side of the carburetor where the air-fuel flow will go to the engine. Look opposite the side of the air filter and fuel lines connected to the carburetor.

Follow the carburetor to the metal tubular channels that go from the carburetor into the engine casing itself -- this is the intake manifold. Note how the manifold is bolted to the engine case to maintain its connection.

Check underneath the engine if the intake manifold is not visible from the top exiting the carburetor unit. Look for a manifold that enters the engine from the side after looping downward vertically from the carburetor.

Pick up the bolt and look at the hex end. The hex end is the end on which you place the wrench.

Count the number of slashes on the top of the bolt. A grade 5 bolt will have three slashes radiating out from the center in a "Y" formation.

Pick up the nut. A grade 5 nut will have a raised or depressed insignia identifying the manufacturer. There will also be three small dashes radiating out from the perimeter.

Find the Chevrolet engine ID number. According to Nasty Z28, it is found on a machined pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head. Removing the alternator may be necessary to access the number. The number consists of a four-position prefix and a three-letter suffix, V0315-CDH, for example.

Decipher the prefix portion of the ID number. Nasty Z28 decodes the prefix as follows: the first letter, "V," represents the manufacturing location, in this case Flint, Michigan. The following four-digits are the date of manufacture, "0315," or March 15th.

Locate the engine ID suffix on a Chevrolet code listing. Nasty Z28 and Chevy-Camaro both have extensive listings. The suffix code gives important information concerning the block, such as year of manufacture, horsepower designation, model car, etc. The Suffix "CDH" translates as a 1972 350 with 200 horsepower.