Is there any way to visually differentiate an EJ253 short block from an EJ255 or EJ257 short block?   I have no VIN, or any other information, available to help with the identification.

EJ253 will have an open deck.  EJ255/257 will have semiclosed decks.

The piston tops are different between the three.

There may be a vin stamped on the passenger side of the block. It is on a flat surface above the axle.

Will have to clean first.

O.

the piston shape is the main way to tell.

shoot us a pic of the pistons and im sure one of us can figure it out

 

On 12/6/2019 at 8:02 AM, ocei77 said:

There may be a vin stamped on the passenger side of the block. It is on a flat surface above the axle.

Will have to clean first.

O.

This. Vertical surface on the RH side right next to the bellhousing should have the VIN (AFAIK, all the US-made ones have this).

Thanks everyone.  Took a while to get access to the block again, and the cleaning tip revealed the VIN.  2003 U.S made, naturally aspirated 2.5.