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

CodeAssembly Plant
F or VFlint, Michigan
TTonawanda Engine Plant
*KMcKinnon Industries, ON
  
Assembly Month - 1st and 2nd numbers
NumberMonthNumberMonth
01January02February
03March04April
05May06June
07July*08August
09September15October
11November12December
    

Assembly Day - 3rd and 4th numbers
01...31

Engine

Transmission

Notes

CodeSizeHP 
CAH250-1110Manual-3Low Compression Engine
CBA250-1 Manual-3/4A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CBD250-1 Manual-3A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), taxi NB2
CBG250-1110Manual-3 
CBJ250-1110Powerglide 
CBK250-1110PowerglideTaxi
CDL250-1110PowerglideA.I.R.
CDM250-1110StandardA.I.R.
CSD250-1 PowerglideA.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
307 ↓    
CAY307-2 Manual-3/4A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CAZ307-2 PowerglideA.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CKG307-2130Standard 
CKH307-2130Powerglide 
CMA307-2 TH-350A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CTK307-2130TH-350 
350 ↓    
CAR350-2165-L65TH-350A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), Police NB2
CDA350-2165-L65Manual-3/4A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CDD350-4175-L48TH-350A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CDG350-2165-L65Manual-3/4A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CKA350-2165-L65Manual-3/4 
CKB350-2165-L65TH-350 
*CKD350-4175-L48TH-350 
CKK350-4175-L48Manual-4 
CMD350-2165-L65TH-350A.I.R./Smog CAM (Calif), NB2
CSH350-2165-L65TH-350Police
CTL350-2165-L65TH-350 
402 ↓    
CLA (1)402-4240-LS3Manual-4 
CLB (1)402-4240-LS3TH-400 
CLS402-4240-LS3Manual-3 
CTA402-4240-LS3Manual-3/4A.I.R./Police - Taxi
CTB402-4240-LS3TH-400A.I.R.
CTJ402-4240-LS3TH-400A.I.R./Police - Taxi
454 ↓    
CPA454-4270-LS5Manual-3/4 
CPD454-4270-LS5TH-400 
CRW454-4270-LS5TH-400A.I.R.
CRX454-4270-LS5Manual-3/4A.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.