What motor/tranny/t-case do I have exactly?

[loosescrew79]

I recently bought my 87 4x4 longbed. My question is "how do I find out exactly whats in this thing?".

When I got it the guy told me the motor is a 1999 motor. I know that 87 was the first year for the TBI, but this motor is carburated. I want to know what year the motor is (roughly) and is it a 2 or 4 bolt main. If I can find the serial #s on the motor is there a way to use those to answer my questions?

The truck has a four speed tranny with a hydralic clutch. Could this be the original tranny?

On my t-case there is a small round tag rivitted to the back of it and the top line of numbers on it says "c208" on it. I'm pretty sure this mean I have a np208 t-case. But do I?

Ok, one last question..... Everybody on here reffers to their trucks with k10, r10, c20, etc. I don't fully understand this. I know the 10, 20, 30 is for 1/2 ton and so forth. But what does the letter stand for and what do I have?

These might be stupid questions but this is my first chevy truck.

[NEUMANNZZ]

go here to find out what engine you have:

http://www.mortec.com/

np208 came in jeeps. unsure what you have.

whats the title say you have as far as letter designation. k is
4x4

[loosescrew79]

So my truck is a K10...correct.

[NEUMANNZZ]

what does it say on the title/ or decode the vin.

[loosescrew79]

I had to put in for a title. I put in for an official title at 4 days ago. Thats why I am tyring to find out info from you chevy pro's

[Barc]

Originally Posted by loosescrew79

So my truck is a K10...correct.

Is it 6 lug 4wd? Then yes K10.

[loosescrew79]

Yes it is 6 lug. thanks.

How about the other questions.
Can you guys help me with those

[Barc]

http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...case_np208.htm

Some reading for you, looks like you have the 32 spline input shaft because it's a SM465 tranny. So yes the tranny and transfer case should be original.
Now if you look below the Alt, there is some extra block sticking out from the head, there should be cast numbers there. I'll try to dig up the casting breakdown.

[NEUMANNZZ]

for the motor your gonna need a block casting number.
for the tcase, maybe post a picture.

[Nasty-Z]

You should have a SM465/NP208 Trans and T-case, probably stock for that year , and yes it is a K-10 .

Good luck with the truck

TOM

[loosescrew79]

Thanks for the link, I saved it. I will have to take pics of the t-case tomorrow. Kinda late for taking pics.

The motor is dirty and oily. I have to do some cleaning before i can get to the casting #.

[Barc]

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

here's a page to help you decifer it.

[6 Pack]

Hydro SM465/NP208 would have been stock for that truck.

C= 2WD
K= 4WD

10,20,30 is 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton respectively for Chev.
1500,2500,3500 is the designation for GMC's

Here is where it get's a bit confusing. In '88 GM intro'd the new body style, but not for all their truck models. The changeover to the new body style for all modles was complete for '92.

From 88 to 91 they added the "R" and "V" designation.

R = 2WD square body (10,20,30 etc was same
C = 2WD new body
V = 4WD square body
K = 4WD new body.

By '92 when the square body stuff was done the R and V went away and things got simpler again.

As an example a 91 Suburban would be either a R10, or R20 if 2WD and a V10 or V20 if 4WD.

[BowTieOgre]

I think they actually started in with the R/V designations in '87.

Do your valve covers have bolts in the center or around the outside? The casting number located on the drivers rear side of the motor (facing up) will tell you what you need to know for sure.

[6 Pack]

I have an '87 one ton crew cab. It's a C30...

[loosescrew79]

Thanks for making sense of the c/k/r/v thing.

My valve covers have bolts around the edges. What do you mean by in the center. Like 3 or 4 on the top of the cover.

I looked on the front of the motor for the casting # and its not there. Thats where it would be on older motors, right. Are you saying on the newer motors it will be on the back.

[BowTieOgre]

I have a '78 sbc 350 that I am currently putting together in the garage to make its way into my '80 and the casting number is on the top of the block just behind the rear of the drivers side cylinder head and #7 cylinder. It is in the same place on the '95 4.3L Caprice motor I have. Here is a pic showing the bare block and casting number. View is as if you could see thru the firewall sitting in the drivers seat. As far as the vavle cover bolts are concerned '87 and later heads are Vortec style heads and have the valve cover bolts down the center, '86 and earlier have the bolts around the outside.



The R/V transition year was 1987. Check out the sale brochures on THIS site. They dont have the Chevy trucks under '87 but you can see the GMC truck Tech Info page (2nd to last) is using R/V.

[loosescrew79]

I will have to climb in the engine comartment to see if I can find the casting # by the firewall. Not sure if I will be able to see it, but I'll give it a shot.

My motor has a mechanical fuel pump on it. Is that something that could be added to newer blocks or did they stop putting the opening for those at some point?

[BowTieOgre]

You can always take the hood off and make it a lot easier to get to. I put a new dist. in a '73 Blazer i had and i took the hood off by myself (was a little bit of a pain) but it was well worth the extra room. Let us know what you find out.

[GreaseDog]

Originally Posted by NEUMANNZZ

np208 came in jeeps. unsure what you have.

and Dodges... and Chevys from 81-87. if the shift pattern on the trans has reverse to the right and down on the shifter, its probably the original 465/208 combo which your truck should have. the hydraulic clutch setup is 85-87 specific, and very rare in 88-91 R/V series trucks. if you ever decide to go automatic, keep in mind this setup is worth $$$ in the offroad community since its so rare. i've sold several setups for $350+ before.