How do you know what year a Chevy 283 engine was made?

The year a Chevy 283 engine was made can be determined by identifying various casting numbers located on the engine block. These casting numbers provide information about the engine and indicate the production year and details regarding engine specifications. Here's a breakdown of casting number locations and how to interpret them:

Identifying Year of a Chevy 283 Engine

Casting Number Location- Front (Passenger Side) of Engine Block

- Before 1968:

1. Look for a 2-digit casting number stamped near the oil filter mount. (Example: Casting Number = 3798357, the engine was made in 1957).

- 1968 and later:

1. Find the Casting Number stamped towards the back, beneath the cylinder head casting at the front part of the engine

2. It may start with the letter "8," with the last few digits indicating the manufacture year (Example: Casting Number = 8190548, Engine made in 1980)

Additional notes on Chevy "W" Engine 283 casting numbers:

1. If a Casting Number includes a suffix or prefix:

- Prefix letters (C35070B1) indicate changes to valve covers.

- Suffix numbers (#F412212C01) indicate production location and plant/block variations.

2. "C3-C10" Engines manufactured after January 1, 1966 (1C166279C1), which have an extra prefix indicating cylinder bore or piston size of the block.

For more assistance in decoding Chevy 283 engine casting numbers and identifying production year(s), refer to reliable automotive reference manuals or use specialized online resources that can decode Chevy 283 casting numbers to accurately pinpoint the manufacturing year.