Well found the cowl tag and need help understanding it.

ST71-34257Z06559
TR977B80 67E PNT
04E 286321
320343

Also got this number off the engine will this tell the horsepower
395558. And a number 7 of the head .
Any info would be a great help.

Thanks

Hi rocketman,

Welcome to TOC.

For your cowl tag codes, go here. One of the handiest tools you will ever use.

395558 = block casting number, used for 350 CI engines, from '68-'72. Your '71 is defined by, how was machined and the parts that were used in its assembly.

# 7 = head casting number, used for 350 CI engines, only in '71.

Advertised HP for the '71 Olds 350:

2 barrel carb = 155 BHP

4 barrel carb = 180 BHP

Be aware, that factory HP numbers did not necessarily match the actual power output.

Norm

Thanks 88 Coupe
What do you mean by.
Be aware,that factory HP numbers did not necessarily match the actual power output. My Cutlass has a 4 barrel carb.

Dan

There were several reasons. Some were related to casting, forging, and machining during production. This could account for, as much as, a plus or minus 10% difference between two "identical" engines.

Starting in the early fifties, the numbers began to reflect marketing needs rather than actual power output. It got pretty outrageous by 1970, but the excesses stopped, right after that, when the Federal Government set testing guidelines.

Norm

were those numbers taken at the flywheel or somthing? its not really uncommon for a car company do that these days either. My sentra is rated at 125, according to nissan... but only makes 100 at the wheels.

Yes. An engine dyno is used to determine an engines power output.


By definition, "rated" says that the figure is an estimate. It may or may not be accurate.


Likely within a couple of HP of your engine, when it was installed.


Numbers vary, from car to car, but a 20% power loss between the crank and the ground, seems reasonable.

Norm

Tried 88 Coupe's " try here", but that Ebay site has been cancelled, Derek

Not surprising, since this thread is over a year old.

Norm