Identifying pre-04 blocks?
 

I have a lq4 shortblock and was looking for head bolts/studs for it but I'm not sure what year it is. How can I go about figuring out which year it is?

Run a long head bolt in all the holes and see if it is too long.

Read the VIN off of the block so you get all of the correct parts.

Where is the vin located on the ls motors? this would be my first voyage into ls land.

Never been able to see that on the back of the block but there is a casting date on the front right. usually 1 letter followed by 3 numbers. E064 is what's on the one in front of me. Will post a picture tonight when I het home.

You can also stick a coat hanger in the holes 04 up will all be the same depth roughly 2.777 from hole bottom to the deck surface. Early will be deeper.... except the ends will be shorter.

Well I ran the crankshaft casting number, #12552215, comes back to a 99-00, other than it having the thicker crank flange are there any downsides to it? I plan on running a th350 behind it and a s480 in front lol

Also the only numbers I see cast into the front besides the 6.0L is G01 on the passenger front

Just as 1FastBrick was saying, you can see the location of the Julian Date Calender and stamping area here in this picture of Copper&Black's build.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...k/61815618.jpg