Study the Engine you Seek

• 1). Look at the color of the engine block and the shape of the valve covers. The colors can indicate not only the make of the engine, such as Chevrolet or Ford, but also the model from which the engine was originally taken. For instance, many early Ford blocks were painted blue, while Chevrolet V8 blocks from passenger cars were frequently orange between 1955 and 1968. Chrysler engines used a variety of different colors through the years for all different applications, but predominant colors included turquoise, blue and orange. Color coding of engines ended in the 1980's, and so it is not a good indicator for latter year engine identification. Finned valve covers with a "Cobra" insignia indicate a Ford Racing engine, while early Chevrolet engines in the V8 family frequently include a script "Chevrolet" logo on the engine.
  
  
• 2). Look at large and small block engines to help you learn the difference between the two. Frequently, this is more difficult than you might expect. A Chevrolet 400 cubic inch engine is a small block, while a 396 is a large block. Look for larger valve covers on large block engines, as well as a much larger intake manifold than a small block engine.
  
  
• 3). Learn to determine the year of an engine based on common indicators. If you need a fuel-injected Camaro engine, for instance, avoid engines that have round air cleaners on top, as these are carbureted engines. The presence of an electric fan also indicates that the vehicle was a latter year engine rather than an early engine. While air conditioning became common after 1960, with as many as half the cars on the road featuring air conditioning, the presence or absence of an air conditioning compressor or the mounts for an air conditioning compressor can indicate a pre- or post- 1950 engine.
  
  
• 4). Determine the vehicle identification number stampings on the engine you are looking at. Use the VIN identification guide to determine further details about the engine. When you find an engine that is the correct age range, color code and size that you require, use the VIN identification book to decipher the VIN code you will find stamped on the back or front of the engine block. This will tell you precisely what car the engine originally came in, the options the car came with from the factory and even the original color of the car.