How to Tell What Size of Chevrolet Engine You Have

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For many reasons, it's important to know the engine size of your Chevrolet vehicle. When you visit an auto parts store to purchase replacement parts or items for maintenance, a parts salesperson may ask you about the size of your vehicle's engine in order to get the correct parts. There are several ways to determine the size of your Chevrolet engine, such as checking the owner's manual, looking at the exterior markings on your car for the information and checking under the hood for the size.

Steps

1. 1
   Check your owner's manual for information concerning the size of your engine. Engine size is usually referred to in a couple of ways. The first is by cylinder. Many cars have a V-8 engine (8-cylinder), V-6 engine (6-cylinder) or a 4-cylinder engine. Other ways to describe an engine is by liter. Chevrolet engines come in a variety of sizes including the 3.4L, 3.8L, 4.6L, 5.0L and many more options both smaller and larger. Your owner's manual should refer to your engine size in the maintenance portion of the book. Look for either of these types of references.

   
   
2. 2
   Pop the hood of your vehicle and examine the engine case. Often, the size can be found stamped onto the engine, or on a label that is attached to the exterior of the engine. Look on both sides and the top of the engine for this information. Keep in mind that if your vehicle has been running, you should shut it off and take caution when touching anything under the hood in case it may be hot.
3. 3
   Count the spark plugs. Pop off the plastic engine cover. In most Chevrolet vehicles, you can see the spark plugs after removing the engine cover. Count them. If you see four spark plugs, you have a 4-cylinder engine. If you count 6 spark plugs, you have a V-6. A V-8 engine has eight spark plugs. The number of spark plugs directly correlates to the number of valves your engine has.
4. 4
   Look at the exterior of your car. Many times the exterior markings on the body of your vehicle indicates the size of motor your vehicle has. This marking is usually designated in liters.
5. 5
   Write down the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and use it to determine the engine size. Call your local Chevrolet dealership to inquire about the engine size using the VIN, or check online for the engine size. Many websites allow you to enter your VIN number and receive information about your particular vehicle model.
6. 6
   Take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic to find the size of your engine. If none of the other steps worked, or if you know for a fact that your engine was put in as a replacement, a mechanic may be your best bet when attempting to identify your engine size.

   
   

Things You'll Need

• Owner's manual
• Notepad
• Pen or pencil

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