Year By Serial Number: Detroit Diesel Engine

| Serial Prefix Example | Approximate Era | |----------------------|----------------| | 2-digit prefix (e.g., 01A, 02B) | 1950s–1960s | | 3-digit prefix starting with '5' or '6' | 1970s | | 4-digit prefix starting with '7' or '8' | 1980s | | Prefix starting with '9' or '0' | 1990s (last two-strokes) |