I bought a 69 casting date 396 awhile back and am getting to trying to figure out what it was. I used my Chevy by the Numbers books to ID it with the casting numbers, but that doesn't tell me which hp rating it was. I mostly want to know out of curiosity. It isn't really critical, but the only stamping on it is CE954876. Thats it. I can't find anything else anywhere. I checked the pad in front of the passenger side head, and the spot by the oil filter on the tranny flange, but can't find anything. Does anyone know what CE954876 is? Thanks.

Hey Rad, graemlins/waving.gif
CE is an over the counter, or warrantee replacement.
CE = Chevrolet Engine
954876 First digit is the year in your case 69
54876 is the sequence number. Starting with 50000
About the only way you'll be able to figure out the HP rating, would be to look up the head, intake, crank, and cam numbers...might give you some idea.
Should be able to look up all of those numbers at www.mortec.com (http://www.mortec.com)
Good luck smile.gif

Thanks Zman! I was starting to think it was an over the counter engine. Could it have been ordered as the shortblock only? I don't have it apart yet to measure the bore(check whether it is standard or over), but I looked in the bores and the pistons are the large peaked dome of the L78 style motors, but the heads and intake look like they should be from a 325 or 350hp engine. I suppose the cam would be the best place to start for nailing down the original hp rating. Thanks again Zman! graemlins/beers.gif

I looked in the bores and the
pistons are the large peaked dome of the L78 style motors, but the heads and intake look like they should be from a 325 or
350hp engine. I suppose the cam would be the best place to start for nailing down the original hp rating.Assuming all those pieces haven't been changed since the engine was new...

Some other things to look at:

All L78 engines used 4-bolt mains (most 325/350 HP used 2-bolt mains), and usually 4-bolt main blocks have 2 large fittings above the oil filter for oil cooler supply and return lines (as opposed to the usual smaller fitting only for the oil guage sender).

L78 engines will use a large 8" balancer. I think most 325/350 HP engine use the 7" balancer (and corresponding timing cover).

I think 325/350HP engines still had domed pistons, just smaller domes than the L78s (not flat tops like small blocks)

LOL. Ok, here is some stuff I found.
The block is drilled and tapped for 2 huge plugs above the oil filter. I assume these are the line connections for an oil cooler. But, it is a 2 bolt block casting number 3955272. It has 3/8" rod bolts. The crank is casting number 3856223, Chevy by the Numbers says, 65-69 396 forged steel, 65-66 all engines, 67-69 Hi-Perf. A, F car. What does A, F car mean? Can't get anything off of the cam. I don't want to disassemble it to find out since I am going to try and run it the way it is. The heads are casting number 3964290. The intake is 3931067. It didn't have a distributor or carb with it. Kind of starting to sound like it may just be a collection of parts engine. Something scrapped together. It does have very tall valve springs in it. About 1.9" installed height. Is that normal for a big block? tongue.gif This is the fun part of buying an old engine. graemlins/hurray.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by Rad Racer:
...The crank is casting number 3856223, Chevy by the Numbers says, 65-69 396 forged steel, 65-66 all engines, 67-69 Hi-Perf. A, F car. What does A, F car mean? ... A or F body cars, ie. Chevelles and Camaros.

It's an excellent crank, good for plenty of horsepower and RPM.