HELLO TO EVERYONE ¡¡¡
I´m new here and would like some help as I´m trying to verify the numbers of my chevelle smile.gif . The car is a 1970 SS396 and the VIN number is 136370K121450 and the data plate is like this ST70 13637 KAN230837 BDY, TR 791 75 APNT, 10D 07925 L. I always thougt that the car was a numbers matching, but as things are going on I´m starting to suspect that I've been always wrong. Problem started yesterday when my mechanic tried to change the cam for a crane cam (energizer 270 H10) and it just would´nt fit, so I check the engine number to verify if it really is a 396 and found this number on the block 3969854, any comments would be apreciated. Thaks in advance

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Dean/bbcast2.jpg

3969854 is a 69-72 396 but there is no way to verify if it is an SS from the numbers.

<a href="http://chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html" target="_blank">Check out this page on How to spot a genuine SS Chevelle / El Camino
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You need the stamped codes found on the block. Located in a small machined part of block in front of right hear (passenger side). Should be 2 set of code stamped in there looking similar to these examples;

Engine code T1225CTX shows the plant, date and engine application suffix. (note this just an example)

Vin derivative 10K121450 will be there if you have the original engine, if it does not match, its a replacement.

Let us know what you find

I forgot to mention that the original title of the car designates the motor number as follows: T1013CTW-10K121450 but I don´t be able at the time to found this number on the block, so tomorrow I´m gonna try to find it and take some pictures of it. thankyou for the help¡¡¡ smile.gif

T1013CTW
T - Tonawanda Engine Plant
10 - October
13 - Day
CTW - 1970 396-350 HP RPO L34, TH400 transmission


10K121450
1 - Chevrolet Division
0 - 1970
K - Kansas City (aka Leeds)
121450 - Last 6 digits of VIN

Everything points to a real SS 396. The CTW (RPO L34) suffix was only on a SS 396 Chevelle. Lets hope you have the original engine and can find these on the block.

3969854 was also used in trucks and if you have a transplant from a truck that could explain why the cam is a no fit. Many truck blocks were machined differently then the same block that went into a car. The deck height is taller among other things.

I´ve already found the engine number on the block, it was in the in front of right hear (passenger side)as elcamino pointed out. The good news is that the first part of the engine code does match, the bad news is that the second part, the vin derivative, lacks some digits and it apears to be remarked, so I believe that I do have a replacement :confused: . I already have the photos of the engine codes, but don´t know how to post´em here, if you like to see them, let me know your e-mail. Thakyou again smile.gif .

antonio
I tried to answer your email but it bounced back

Looks like the original engine to me


http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/temp_70block_stamp.jpg

Looks like the 121450 is a hand stamp and might have been done long after the fact. The first part of it 10K, is missing and would have been part of what they stamped on the assembly line.

Also the dies were held in a gang holder and then struck with a hammer. That being the case, they should all line up much better than this.

I have seen the VIN derivative stamped upside down, askew to the engine code but not like this. Also almost all the VIN derivatives I have seen have a slightly smaller font then the engine code but this is the opposite.

That my opinion anyway.
http://www.synthetic-oil.com/images/stamps.jpg

After looking at Mike's picture, I agree, it does look like a re-stamp.

But the CTW code is correct for the car

whats with the 136 on the vin? mine is 138

whats with the 136 on the vin? mine is 138

68 was the last year the 138 vin was used for the SS. It became an opition after that.

After almost 7 years you think he is still wondering?

Kinda what I was thinking........Maybe he had the wrong cam.