Used Chevrolet C10 and K10 Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 1973–1987 Chevrolet C10 and K10 — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your truck and we’ll match the exact engine.
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Engine Options
Which engine does your C10 and K10 have?
The 1973–1987 “square body” half-ton ran through four engine families: the 250 and 292 straight-sixes, the 305, 350 and 400 small-block V8s and the 454 big block, a 6.2L Detroit Diesel V8 from 1982, and the 4.3L V6 that replaced the 250 as the standard engine in 1985. For 1987 the trucks were renamed R10 (2WD) and V10 (4x4) and every half-ton gasoline engine moved to throttle-body fuel injection.
The table below shows what was offered when. The same displacement often came in two versions in one year — light-duty and heavy-duty emissions, 49-state and California, carburetor and injection — so we confirm the engine from the VIN before we quote.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 250 (4.1L) straight-six | Code: LD4 / LE3 | Standard engine. LD4 one-barrel to 1978; LE3 two-barrel from 1979. |
| 292 (4.8L) straight-six | Code: L25 | One-barrel; on some half-tons. |
| 307 (5.0L) V8 | Code: LG8 | 1973 only. |
| 305 (5.0L) V8, two-barrel | C10 from 1977. | |
| 350 (5.7L) V8 | Code: LS9 | Two- or four-barrel to 1976, four-barrel after. |
| 400 (6.6L) small-block V8 | Code: LF4 | K10 only, 1975–1979. |
| 454 (7.4L) big-block V8 | Code: LE8 | C10 only, 1973–1979. |
| 350 Oldsmobile diesel V8 | Code: LF9 | C10 only, 1978–1981. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 250 (4.1L) straight-six | Code: LE3 | Standard engine to 1984. |
| 292 (4.8L) straight-six | Code: L25 | On some half-tons. |
| 305 (5.0L) V8, two-barrel | Code: LG9 | 1981 only. |
| 305 (5.0L) V8, four-barrel | Code: LE9 / LF3 | LE9 is the 49-state engine, 1982–1986; LF3 the California version. A four-barrel 305 was also offered in 1981. |
| 350 (5.7L) V8 | Code: LS9 | Four-barrel. On some trucks in these years; an L or M in the eighth VIN character confirms it. |
| 6.2L Detroit Diesel V8 | Code: LH6 / LL4 | From 1982. LH6 (VIN C) is the light-duty emissions version, 130–135 hp; LL4 (VIN J) the heavy-duty one, 148 hp. |
| 4.3L V6, four-barrel | Code: LB1 | 1985–1986; replaced the 250 as the standard engine. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3L V6, TBI | Code: LB4 | Standard engine. |
| 5.0L (305) V8, TBI | Code: L03 | |
| 5.7L (350) V8, TBI | Code: L05 | Offered on the 1987 R/V line; a K in the eighth VIN character confirms it in a half-ton. |
| 6.2L Detroit Diesel V8 | Code: LH6 | Carried over. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
Carburetor or injection
Only the 1987 trucks have throttle-body injection. The TBI engines differ in their heads, intake and distributor, among other parts, and depend on the truck’s computer and electric in-tank fuel pump, so a 1986 carbureted engine is not a drop-in for a 1987 truck, or the reverse.
Rear main seal and flywheel — 1986
The small-block V8s moved to a one-piece rear main seal for 1986, with a different flywheel bolt pattern and an externally balanced flywheel or flexplate. Some early 1986 blocks kept the two-piece seal, so we check the engine rather than the year.
Light-duty or heavy-duty emissions
Most engines came in more than one calibration — light-duty or heavy-duty emissions, split at 8,500 lb GVWR from 1979, and 49-state or California — and the RPO code follows it: LH6 or LL4 for the diesel, LE9 or LF3 for the 305. The heavy-duty LT9 350 from the 3/4- and 1-ton trucks is not a half-ton engine, and a state inspection may expect the equipment your calibration came with.
Reading the VIN
The engine code is the third VIN character on 1973–1980 trucks and the eighth on 1981–1987 trucks. Z means a 454 in 1973–1975 but the Oldsmobile diesel in 1978–1979, and H is a carbureted 305 to 1986 but the TBI 305 in 1987, so give us the whole VIN. The stamp pad is just ahead of the right cylinder head on V8s and V6s, and on the right side behind the distributor on the sixes.
Have your VIN ready
With the VIN we can confirm the engine, model year and whether the truck is a C10 or K10 before we quote, which avoids ordering the wrong version.
Common Problems
Common C10 and K10 engine problems
Cracked main-bearing webs — 6.2L diesel, 1982–1987
The 6.2L and the later 6.5L are both known for cracking the block’s main-bearing webs, which ends in a replacement engine rather than a repair.
Crankshaft failure — 6.2L diesel
Broken crankshafts in these diesels are linked to a worn harmonic balancer, accessory pulley or dual-mass flywheel. Fit new ones with a replacement engine rather than carrying the old parts over.
Steam holes — 400 small block, 1975–1979
The 400 has siamesed cylinder bores with no water between them, so its heads and head gaskets have steam holes that a 350’s do not. Replacement heads and gaskets must have them, and the truck 400 has two-bolt main caps.
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FAQ
C10 and K10 engine questions, answered
Which engine does my C10 or K10 have?
On 1981–1987 trucks the eighth VIN character is the engine: D the 250, T the 292, G, H or F a 305, L or M a 350, C or J the 6.2L diesel, N the 4.3L V6 in 1985–1986, and in 1987 Z the TBI 4.3L, H the TBI 305 and K the TBI 350. On 1973–1980 trucks it is the third character, and several letters were reused for different engines in different years, so send us the whole VIN.
Will an engine from a 1988 Chevrolet C1500 or GMC Sierra fit my 1987 R10 or V10?
The 1988 trucks on the new body kept the 1987 TBI engines — the 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L and 6.2L diesel — so the engine families are the same. A 1986-or-earlier carbureted engine is the one to avoid for a 1987 truck. Give us your VIN and we’ll confirm the match.
Does a GMC C1500 or K1500 use the same engines?
Yes. The GMC half-ton of these years — badged C15 and K15 to 1980 and C1500 and K1500 after, all called Sierra from 1975 — is the same truck with the same engines and transmissions. GMC VINs begin with T on 1973–1980 trucks and 1GT from 1981; Chevrolet VINs with C and 1GC.
Is the engine covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every engine we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your C10 and K10 engine?
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