So I have a numbers matching 327 out of a 68 Malibu. My goal is to slowly rebuild it and put it back into my car. The question is where is the best place to start on the engine? Heads?, Block? Does boring it out ruin the fact that it is a number matching? I'm fairly new at this and would appreciate any help. THX

So I have a numbers matching 327 out of a 68 Malibu. My goal is to slowly rebuild it and put it back into my car. The question is where is the best place to start on the engine? Heads?, Block? Does boring it out ruin the fact that it is a number matching? I'm fairly new at this and would appreciate any help. THX

fisrt step is dissasembly . Then have the parts checked out (magged for cracks etc.etc) after you have the parts blessed by the machinist gods ,make a list of parts needed . Boring a block is ok ! its the numbers that matter when it comes to a matching # car . Hope fully all you will need will be pistons,rings,bearings,camshaft,lifters,oilpump(oh and gaskets)... hopefully the heads are ok and most parts can still be used (i would upgrade springs though) .

good luck

fisrt step is dissasembly . Then have the parts checked out (magged for cracks etc.etc) after you have the parts blessed by the machinist gods ,make a list of parts needed . Boring a block is ok ! its the numbers that matter when it comes to a matching # car . Hope fully all you will need will be pistons,rings,bearings,camshaft,lifters,oilpump(oh and gaskets)... hopefully the heads are ok and most parts can still be used (i would upgrade springs though) .

good luck


Thanks a bunch Jason. Thats a good roadmap!

The shop will check the decks of the block for warpage or low spots. If it has need of being machined that process is called decking. That's when you lose the numbers. It's quite possible that your block will not need this operation at all but if it does great care will need to be exercised to avoid wiping out the numbers.

Be sure to post questions here along the way as issues arise. There's accumulated many hundreds of years of experience in this process.

Thanks, thats a very interesting point. Another question. I have been having doubts now that maybe it isnt a numbers matching. =( I thought that i had matched the numbers, but now i cant find where i was. I checked the numbers on the front of the heads, and on the block behind the distributor. Am i checking the right place?

Please look at Mortec's great site for numbers.

http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm

pdq67

Yeah i looked there, but is the casting number supposed to match your VIN? or is there another number? Im kinda confused on how the whole "numbers matching" works.

My casting number is 3914660
My VIN Number is 136378Z150072

No, matching numbers is a comparison to the numbers stamped into the block and the VIN. At the front of the engine block on the passenger side you'll find a little pad in front of the cylinder head. Two sets of numbers will be stamped in this spot. One number is the engine number, the other set is a partial VIN. If it is original to that particular car, that partial VIN will match the VIN on the body.

what year did they start stamping the VIN on the block? I never can remember.

Okay i checked and the same number is on the driver and passenger side, on the bottom of the head. 10740 is the number. does that sound right?

no. the last part of the VIN should stamped into the machined pad on the front of the deck surface of the block on the passenger side. Also at that location is the engine identifying code, stamped in. The numbers are stamped in a different "font". Casting number for the block is cast into the rough unmachined surface of the block behind the drivers side cylinder head.

Cylinder heads have casting numbers only, no stampings with VIN or engine code. The rocker arm cover is removed to see it.

what year did they start stamping the VIN on the block? I never can remember.

I believe Corvette started in mid 1960 production. Don't know about passenger cars.

I think passenger cars started in 1968, passenger car L79s earlier than that.

This should help. You want to look for stamped in numbers where the illustration shows "engine ID/VIN code":

http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/Id_info/gm_engine_id/gmidimages/endinedetail1.jpg

Thanks for the help fellas. Rich that helped a lot. So it looks like i need to remove my valve covers to see it.

Well I have good news. It is a numbers matching. Im very happy.:hurray:

Thanks again.


Can you get reproduction VIN plates that go on the driver side cowl? Mine seem to be nearly impossible to read, or should i just leave them like they are.
And if i do get new, does it ruin the value of the car, etc?

leave the stock ones no matter what condition they're in. If you change them your car will forever be suspect as some phony deal or even stolen.