Did they make a 67 Elcamino that had a big block in it, that was not a SS?
It has a BB 4 spd, 12 bolt, how can I tell what it is?
thanks.

Did they make a 67 Elcamino that had a big block in it, that was not a SS?
It has a BB 4 spd, 12 bolt, how can I tell what it is?
thanks.

Yes, they did make a 396-powered El Camino in 1967... There were NO "SS El Caminos" in '67... This was the Only way to get a 396 in a non-SS "Chevelle"...

How can you tell what it is... Several hints...

1) Are the engine codes still present on the front deck surface (in front of the passenger-side cylinder head)? Does the engine "serial number" match the VIN (last 7 characters)? Going further, do the casting numbers and dates match between the car and the engine? How about the transmission and rearend? rearends are unique to '67, but 65-72 12-bolts will all bolt-in and function... Muncie transmission (all BB used the Muncie, not Saginaw 4-speeds), the original cars VIN should be stamped on the case...

2) Where does the speedo cable exit the firewall/floor? Are there "tabs" attached to the underside of the floor pans to hold the speedocable in place? Where? 4-speed cable and routing is unique.

3) Does the rear suspension have the "braces", bolt-on reinforments that connect the lower and upper rear control arm mounting points (on the frame side, not the rear-end side)?

4) Where was the car built? What assembly plant? Are there "codes" on the bottom of the cowl/trim tag? Some factories listed "option codes" for 4-speeds, consoles, tinted glass, etc... they won't tell 396 or not, but can give alot of other info...

5) front brake lines, passenger side is unique to Big Blocks (different routing). Different motor mount frame pedastals. BB pieces are unique, but Big Block engines will bolt DIRECTLY to Small Block Mounts (BB have safety reinforcments on the rubber mounts, and the frame pedastals are clearanced and reinforced for these)...

6) clutch bell cranks are different...


Unfortunately, EVERYTHING noted is available repro or easy to find used (and generally has been for years)... the engine stamps are not as easy to do correctly...

So, If its "original", needing some work, then you can get a pretty good idea... restored/fresh pieces, then harder to tell... To "prove" anything, you need documents...

Did they make a 67 Elcamino that had a big block in it, that was not a SS?
It has a BB 4 spd, 12 bolt, how can I tell what it is?
thanks.Yes. All three big blocks were available as options in the 67 (and 66) El Caminos and you are correct there were no 67 (or 66) SS versions of the El Camino. All the same options could be ordered on the El Camino such as bucket seats, big block, TH400 (in 67), rear end ratios, special instrumentation, etc. but the El Camino DID NOT have SS396 badging, trim, or the 'scooped' hood.

There should be at least one and probably two sets of stamped numbers on the engine pad in front of the passenger side head. The first set would be something like T1025ET that identifies the engine assembly date, hp and transmission type and possibly a second set in a different stamp font that would identify the year, plant, and sequence number of the engine's original home.

A 1967 big block should have casting #3902406 found on bellhousing flange area on the driver side. Other year's blocks will have different casting numbers. There should also be a block casting date located below center freeze plug on passenger side of 396 engine, something like J 10 6 indicating the month (J), date (10), and year of casting (6).
http://www.chevellestuff.com/qd/engine_stamp_numbers.htm
http://www.chevellestuff.com/qd/block_casting_by_year.htm

The rear axle housing will have some letters/numbers stamped on the passenger side axle tube (sometimes not too deep) that will identify the original ratio, date, etc. There will also be letters/numbers in the center housing webs that will identify the date and casting number of the rear end housing itself.
http://www.chevellestuff.com/1967/rear_axle.htm
http://www.chevellestuff.com/qd/generic_rear_axle_info.htm

Post any stamped and/or casting numbers or PM me and we'll see what we can find out.

Added:
The RPO L35 396/325 was the base engine in the /6667 SS but also available as an option in the 13480 & 13680 El Camino. In 1967 2,565 L35 options were so ordered and would have only gone into the El Camino. These 2,565 plus some quantity of L34 and L78 engines went into El Caminos as well. How many L34 and/or L78 options went to El Caminos is not known since they were optional in the SS396 coupe and convertible as well. Chevrolet did not break down engines to specific body styles.
http://www.chevellestuff.com/1967/options_by_model.htm

Here are a few pics, I did not have a light to research all the #'s on the motor.

Can i email some one a few pics so they can post them. thanks steve

Can i email some one a few pics so they can post them. thanks steveYou've got mail.

Dale, sent you pics.

Here are the pics. From the engine stamp of 1122 and sequence number for Baltimore it looks like either a November 1965 built 1966 engine or a November 1966-built 1967 engine. Definately doesn't match up with the 03D (March 4th week) body date. The ED suffix was used in both 66 and 67 for a 396/325 w/manual transmission. The addition of the "H" on the suffix code indicates the engine came with a Holley in place of the Rochester Q-Jet and I believe that was only done in 1966; 1967 325hp engines didn't get a Holley.

The only way to really tell would be the block casting number on the bell housing flange on the driver side (look for 3855962 or 3902406) and the casting date on the passenger side between the freeze plugs. The latter is probably pretty hard to read due to road grime as well as its location.

Edit: disregard "but the trim tag says "M" meaning a Powerglide. " in original post. This is a Baltimore tag and Baltimore didn't put group codes on the trim tag but for some reason the Baltimore El Caminos did have this "M" on the tag beginning in November of 1966 for the 1967 model year. Sorry, my bad.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x274/396guy/Misc/IMG_2489.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x274/396guy/Misc/IMG_2490.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x274/396guy/Misc/IMG_2491.jpg

Dale the part on the engine pad that has B and the #'S is that a partial vin?

Dale the part on the engine pad that has B and the #'S is that a partial vin?
Yep, if it's the original motor, and hasn't been restamped, it will match the VIN on the car.
BillL

Yes. That is the partial vin. It is from a Baltimore car but the engine suffix has the prefix for Holley carb which was a 66 only thing. So this engine is from a 66 chevelle from Baltimore. The engine date lines up perfect with the partial vin for 66.
Warren

Yep, if it's the original motor, and hasn't been restamped, it will match the VIN on the car.
BillL

Yes. That is the partial vin. It is from a Baltimore car but the engine suffix has the prefix for Holley carb which was a 66 only thing. So this engine is from a 66 chevelle from Baltimore. The engine date lines up perfect with the partial vin for 66.
Warren

Ditto x2 - sorry I was watching some TV and just got back. :)