I am interested in finding a correct engine for my L78..
Here is the auction :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2487858677&fromMakeTrack=true

However, I cannot determine what that engine code is.. any ideas?

Thanks guys!!
Eric

The block number is correct. The engine pad should look something like this.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ccarney69/eg.JPG

This engine came out of a 68 Chevelle 396/375 4 speed car. The cast date on this block is K7, December 1967. The casting numbers on my block are not as clear as the one you show on ebay though.

Originally posted by ccarney69:
The block number is correct. The engine pad should look something like this.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/ccarney69/eg.JPG

This engine came out of a 68 Chevelle 396/375 4 speed car. The cast date on this block is K7, December 1967. The casting numbers on my block are not as clear as the one you show on ebay though. If you still have that EG block kicking around and you want to let it go.. Just let me know!! :D (im being serious).

Cool thanks for the information!

The ad says;


THE ENGINE BLOCK HAS BEEN DECKED BUT THE CODE THAT WAS ON THE PAD WAS MQ AND WAS REMOVED FROM A CAMARO.
Is "MQ" correct for a 69 Camaro L78?

I guess it dosen't matter since the code has been decked off

Looks like a 68 Camaro engine if it did have "MQ"

First to be Correct, you should find out your Build date of the Chevelle. Then once you Determin that, try to find a Motor built before the Build Date of the car. Dont worry about the Code since it wont be original anyway. You should be concerned with the Casting#S for the Date and Type of Application.
MIKE

Originally posted by L7870_cortez:
First to be Correct, you should find out your Build date of the Chevelle. Then once you Determin that, try to find a Motor built before the Build Date of the car. Dont worry about the Code since it wont be original anyway. You should be concerned with the Casting#S for the Date and Type of Application.
MIKE Here are the info for our car

what do you think guys - should I buy it or not ??

Build Date: feb 09 68

engine code: EG

And if I buy it anyone interested in a 71 - 402 heavily Modified engine from pan to carb ???

And if I do buy it does anyone live near Kentucky to check it out for us ????
:D

To me if it's not the original engine it dosen't really matter about the numbers at all.
I can't see what difference it makes what the date codes are, It's still just an engine that came from another car that was transplanted.

Now if I wanted to try to fool people into thinking it was the original engine or I thought maybe someday I might want to try to sell it to someone who would want to try to fool somebody, then numbers would matter.

Roxxy,

The seller of the engine lists the casting date as B 12 8 which is Feb. 12, 1968. That is a few days after the build date of your car. An original engine would be dated before the build date of the car. This engine would be period correct for your car, though.

I think a correct engine in a restoration is just as important as having the correct seat pattern in the interior. It is especially more important to have a 4-bolt block for an L78 restoration. I would go for a block with a correct casting number and 4-bolt mains and maybe be less picky about the casting date. (Although my personal preference is to get the casting date within a week or so to a month before the build date of the car).

323 blocks were made in both 2-bolt and 4-bolt versions. 4-bolt blocks are machined differently near the oil filter; there are are two pipe plugs for a possible external oil cooler. Make sure the block being sold is a factory 4-bolt and not just a 2-bolt block converted to 4-bolts. The pictures in the listing didn't show this area of the block.

"Period correct" restoration (IMO) has value. It is probably an affront to someone with a numbers matching (original engine, etc., out of factory) car. I believe numbers matching is the real deal, but period correct comes in somewhere before nothing (See Barrett Jackson auctions). It's vital to do your period correct restoration with integrity and not go messing around with the numbers. It's not easy, but it's fun.
Bob

Holy moly, if it wasn't 4 hrs from me, I'd be glad to check it out. Do we have any members in bowling green ky?

Except that everyone is going to know you have the wrong seats but no one is ever going to see the numbers.
As long as the engine "looks correct" when seen like the seats do, who cares. (except for the person trying to pass it off as original like I said)
My 69 has the original engine with the VIN stamped on it and in the 19 years I've owned it not one person has ever looked at the numbers that I know of.

But, like I always say "different strokes for different folks"
smile.gif

I still have my 323 EG block. Its an original 4 bolt main and the cast date is K87. I bought it along with my 69SS Chevelle and all I know about it is that it has new 30 over 11.25 pistons, not sure what was done to the crank, no cam. It's covered in plastic and the seller said its been rebuilt for over 10 years just sitting. I've had it for three more years.

I will CONSIDER selling it (don't want to mislead you). If you don't find an engine that suites you, contact me and we'll see where this goes.

Chris