ENGINE IDENTIFICATION The engine identification code consists of the engine assembly plant, the engine assembly date, and 3 letter suffix indicating the cubic inch displacement, the horsepower rating, and generally, what type of transmission was to be installed with the engine. Manual transmissions required a bushing in the rear of the bellhousing where an automatic transmission did not. Many engine "accessories" such as the carburetor, distributor, and exhaust manifolds were not installed at the engine assembly plant but rather at the final assembly plant. K = McKinnon Industries assembly plant 0818 - August 18 CKD = 350/175 L48 w/TH350 Engine Assembly Plant - 1st letter | Code | Assembly Plant | F or V | Flint, Michigan | T | Tonawanda Engine Plant | *K | McKinnon Industries, ON | | |
Assembly Month - 1st and 2nd numbers | Number | Month | Number | Month | 01 | January | 02 | February | 03 | March | 04 | April | 05 | May | 06 | June | 07 | July | *08 | August | 09 | September | 15 | October | 11 | November | 12 | December | | | | |
Assembly Day - 3rd and 4th numbers 01...31
Engine | Transmission | Notes | Code | Size | HP | | | CAH | 250-1 | 110 | Manual-3 | Low Compression Engine | CBA | 250-1 | | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CBD | 250-1 | | Manual-3 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), taxi NB2 | CBG | 250-1 | 110 | Manual-3 | | CBJ | 250-1 | 110 | Powerglide | | CBK | 250-1 | 110 | Powerglide | Taxi | CDL | 250-1 | 110 | Powerglide | A.I.R. | CDM | 250-1 | 110 | Standard | A.I.R. | CSD | 250-1 | | Powerglide | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | 307 ↓ | | | | | CAY | 307-2 | | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CAZ | 307-2 | | Powerglide | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CKG | 307-2 | 130 | Standard | | CKH | 307-2 | 130 | Powerglide | | CMA | 307-2 | | TH-350 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CTK | 307-2 | 130 | TH-350 | | 350 ↓ | | | | | CAR | 350-2 | 165-L65 | TH-350 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), Police NB2 | CDA | 350-2 | 165-L65 | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CDD | 350-4 | 175-L48 | TH-350 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CDG | 350-2 | 165-L65 | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CKA | 350-2 | 165-L65 | Manual-3/4 | | CKB | 350-2 | 165-L65 | TH-350 | | *CKD | 350-4 | 175-L48 | TH-350 | | CKK | 350-4 | 175-L48 | Manual-4 | | CMD | 350-2 | 165-L65 | TH-350 | A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2 | CSH | 350-2 | 165-L65 | TH-350 | Police | CTL | 350-2 | 165-L65 | TH-350 | | 402 ↓ | | | | | CLA (1) | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | Manual-4 | | CLB (1) | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | TH-400 | | CLS | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | Manual-3 | | CTA | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R./Police - Taxi | CTB | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | TH-400 | A.I.R. | CTJ | 402-4 | 240-LS3 | TH-400 | A.I.R./Police - Taxi | 454 ↓ | | | | | CPA | 454-4 | 270-LS5 | Manual-3/4 | | CPD | 454-4 | 270-LS5 | TH-400 | | CRW | 454-4 | 270-LS5 | TH-400 | A.I.R. | CRX | 454-4 | 270-LS5 | Manual-3/4 | A.I.R. |
(1) CLA, CLB, and CLS engine codes are shown in numerous publications but there is an ongoing debate if a 402 engine without A.I.R. was ever installed in a 1972 Chevelle, regardless of final assembly plant. If anyone has documented proof such as a build sheet or warranty Protect-O-Plate card showing either CLA, CLB, or CLS engine codes, please contact me via the Contact page. |