Can someone please decode this for me? I can't find it. I believe it to be a L79 327.

Thank you in advance,

Chuck

What is it? Block, intake, Head??

4378 I can't find. 4678 I can so you need to be more specific.

Irregardless, the block is generic. Meaning its could have been machined for many applications. You need what is stamped onto the machined pad on the right front of block in front of head. Thats what will tell you what the application was, not the block casting.

Could you be a number off?
Block:
3914678....302.....68....2 bolt...Z-28 Camaro
3914678....327.....68....2 bolt

???

Sorry about that. Here's the info from the front right and the VIN. It's seems to be a number off.

18B123365 VI003ES

VIN: 134378B123364

Thanks!!

It's a 1968 Chevelle 300 Deluxe, Tuxedo Black with Black interior with Bucket seats. Interior is almost all original and is in great shape. The rear end is a 12 bolt Posi 4.88. We think this is a real L79 car and I'm looking for verification. Right now it has an M-21 Muncies 4-speed. I think it came with a 3 speed originally. I've owned it for 14 years now and just started working on it again.

Thanks !!
Chuck

V" (Flint, MI. engine plant), 10, (oct)., (3rd), ES, (327-4, 325-L79, Manual-3, Spcl High Perf/Heavy Duty Clutch)

If the con-vin on the engine matches the vin on the car then it is a true L79 car.

Why is the VIN one number off to the block number?

VIN: 134378B123364

18B123365 VI003ES

They should match right?

But the chances of that engine happening to be in that car is very slim. I once read somewhere that they sometimes had a problem with an engine and just stuck the next one in line in the car. Is this stuff true?

Chuck

I've seen that as well.
The engine ass. date is about three weeks prior to your cars ass. date. That is within the "excepted" time line.

Why is the VIN one number off to the block number?

VIN: 134378B123364

18B123365 VI003ES

They should match right?

But the chances of that engine happening to be in that car is very slim. I once read somewhere that they sometimes had a problem with an engine and just stuck the next one in line in the car. Is this stuff true?

ChuckRemember that humans were stamping these drive train parts and it wouldn't be that much out of character that they (1) grabbed the wrong die number, (2) sneezed and lost track of the VIN, or (3) multiple engines might have been misstamped before they found out and got back in sequence. The odds of something like these happening is probably better than having two L79s Sport Coupes being assembled back-to-back and simply getting the engines mixed up.

Sounds like a great car with a not-too-often-seen engine/trans combination. :thumbsup:

Probably human error stamping it. Not likely they took another engine next in line unless it happened to be the exact same engine or there would have been a mismatch in other components later on.


Chevrolet Assembly - Engine Dress Line Operations Details
The beginning of the engine dress line was a sea of racks full of engines and transmissions; small-block V-8's from Flint V-8 Engine and Tonawanda, big-block V-8's from Tonawanda, and L-6 engines from Flint Motor, plus manual transmissions from Saginaw and Muncie and automatics from Toledo, Cleveland, Warren, and Willow Run.

In the engine schedule area, the operator grabbed the next Broadcast Copy from the printer, verified the sequence number, noted the engine code required for that car, and moved an air-powered overhead hoist on traveling bridge rails over the correct engine rack. The specified engine was hoisted out of the rack and transferred to the next hook on the overhead engine dress line conveyor, where the throwout bearing (on manuals) was greased and installed, along with the clutch fork boot. Another operator on the other side of the line repeated the process with the specified transmission, which was then installed and bolted to the engine; on automatics, an air tool was used to rotate the flexplate, and the converter bolts were driven, followed by the lower cover.

The VIN derivative numbers were stamped in the next operation on both the engine pad and the transmission, using a gang-stamp holder and a hammer. From here on, all the detail dress items were added (plug wires, coil, engine harness, battery cables, carburetor, pulleys, alternator, starter, fan and clutch, A/C compressor, power steering pump, transmission cooler lines and fill tube, A.I.R. pump, diverter valve and air manifolds, drive belts, dipstick and tube, oil filter, engine and transmission mounts, PCV plumbing, vacuum fittings, fuel pump and fuel line, radiator hoses, and (if applicable) the transmission-mounted 4-speed manual shifter and linkage was installed and adjusted (3-speed manual floor shifters were mounted on the cross-member and adjusted later on the Chassis line). Engine oil and transmission lube were added, and the completed engine/transmission assembly was conveyed to the Chassis Line for installation in the (sub)frame. The engine line inspector wrote the engine, transmission, and carburetor codes on the Broadcast Copy and put the sheet in a box for pickup by a Scheduling clerk (needed to create the P-O-P at the end of the Final Line).

I want to thatnk everyone for the information provided.

Chuck

There is a 68 Identical to yours for sale at a High Perfomance Dealer in NW Arkansas. Nice Chevelle, Not Cheap.http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/detail.aspx?id=88748
Mike

There is a 68 Identical to yours for sale at a High Perfomance Dealer in NW Arkansas. Nice Chevelle, Not Cheap.http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/....aspx?id=88748

That looks like the Bill Estes car (1 of 37) on this months Chevelle calander that Greg sells.

That looks like the Bill Estes car (1 of 37) on this months Chevelle calander that Greg sells.

Bill sold his '68 to a dealer for crazy money so it's quite possible.

Bill sold his '68 to a dealer for crazy money so it's quite possible.
They're asking $65K.

http://www.classiccarsinc.com/current/1968%20Chevelle%20L79.htm
BillL

ya but that chevelle is only a 300 not a 300 Deluxe Chucks car is exactly like mine L79 and everything but i have the 4.11 gear rear end and a 4 speed also mine is Ash Gold if that car is originally Tuxedo Black 300 Deluxes are very hard to find if the original color is Tuxedo Black, the 300 L79 that everyones talking about is Fathom Blue not Black it looks black from the pics but really is Fathom Blue, hey Chuck can we get some pics i want to feature your car on my 300 Series car website send them to my email classicamericanmuscle@hotmail.com my website is www.freewebs.com/chevelle300 (http://www.freewebs.com/chevelle300) well thanks Chuck gotta love them 300s:thumbsup:

it is a true L79 your a lucky man Chuck good luck i wouldnt get rid of that car if you do let me know thanks man Ryan

They're asking $65K.

http://www.classiccarsinc.com/current/1968%20Chevelle%20L79.htm
BillL

That looks like Bill Estes' car but the price is a lot lower than what I thought it would be.