Ok here is the pictures of all the engines I got with my 1969 SS convertible on May 21/05. I have 2-396 Engines & 327 Engine which one to use?? Iam going to get rid of the lil 327, but which 396 engine should I use thats the question? Also I have someone that might want to trade all 3 of the engines for a 69 Nickey L88 so wtf should I do? The Ls6 engine on my site is not going in the 69 convertible that is for a different project at a later date. I will have pictures of the Nickey 69 427 L88 today its supposed to be all original. But if that deal dont happen which 396 should I use for my 69 convertible 4 speed M22? Iam not using any A/c on the car because it did not come with A/c. Or should I just eBaY em all?
You can view all of the engines here (http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/iservemp3/album?.dir=5ff2)! slow loading lots of pictures

396 engines has a 2 barrel intake
intake cast #3962300
Block cast# 3955272
Water Pump pulley# 3932430DW
water Pump# 39310657 date K-5-9
Dist# 1111950 date 8J27
Exhaust R/H 3916178
Exhaust L/H 3914818
A/C brackets # 3940948
A/C model # 5910608 Code# 110781
_______________________________________

396 engines has a 4 barrel intake
intake cast #3966948
Block cast# 3855961
Water Pump pulley# unknow at this time short pulley
water Pump# unknown but is a short pump
Dist# 1111109 date unknow at this time
Delco Remy 5 1
Inside of dist # 2769047
Exhaust R/H 3884504
Exhaust L/H 3892307
A/C brackets # unknow at this time
Fan Blade G5 912239 SC
A/C model# 655961 Code # 073151

I assume you are going to rebuild either of these 396, or the 427, right?

The 4-barrel 396 appears to be out of a 65/66 full-size/Impala. 2-bolt main block) The exhaust manifolds are for the Impala, and will NOT fit the Chevelle frame. The block (#961) and intake (#948) are extremely common, almost every 65/66 Impala 396/427 and 66 Chevelle 325/360 HP used these pieces.
IF you run THIS engine, you will need to have your camshaft grooved for oil flow (only 65/66 engines need this done).

The 2-barrel 396 appears to be from a 1969 full-size car (the only year/model to use the 2-barrel). The block #272 is correct for 1969 vehicles (Chevelle included). Most likely a 2-bolt main block. The exhaust manifolds are also for a 69 full-size (The #178 will fit the Chevelle, but the other manifold will not fit-full-size ONLY). BTW, are you sure the manifold is #3914818? I only find 3914613, so I assumed the numbers were misread...

You can mix and match parts. If both blocks are sound and rebuildable, then the #272 is probably the better choice, as you don't need to groove the cam. You can switch the intakes IF you want a stock (heavy) iron piece, although you will have to run a square-bore carb (Holley/Edelbrock). Stock 1969 Chevelles only used a spread-bore Q-jet on the iron manifolds...

While either will work, the Long water pump (brackets and pulleys) will be correct for the 1969 Chevelle. The Short setup is for 1965-1968 vehicles.

Probably use the corresponding heads with whichever block you choose, although they can be switched (but be careful on piston selection then).


Assuming the "427" is rebuildable, I'd consider it... An L88 SHOULD be a 4-bolt main block, and a 4-bolt 427 is going to be worth more than either 396 (assuming they are all in sound condition). The L88 should also have Rectangular Port heads. While possibly not the best choice for a street engine, they are worth more.

Whats the difference between a "Nickey" 427 L88 and a regular 427 (L88 or not)? I know who the Nickey dealership is, but is there ANYTHING special about the engine that makes it a Nickey? Or did someone just bolt some Nickey valve covers to a regular old 427 engine?

Do you know the owner of the 427? Is there a guarantee that it rebuildable, without any special work (no sleeves, etc?)...

The 427 is very tempting, but I would ask "Why" would someone want to trade a 427 straight across for 2 regular (NOT high performance) 396s that obviously need work? Maybe I am pessimistic, but sounds fishy...

I would estimate that the two 396s together would be worth $750-$1000 (both)...

If hen can prove its a real Nickey L-88 then its probably worth a truck load of 396's. I would look into this trade if its the real thing.

I should be able to get some pictures of the Nickey today.

I dont know if I should waste my time on any of the 396 motors that I got with my resto car? I was wondering if I should just sell em or eay em or what to do with them? Any one know what they are worth they appear all original and untouched.

I dont know if I should waste my time on any of the 396 motors that I got with my resto car? I was wondering if I should just sell em or eay em or what to do with them? Any one know what they are worth they appear all original and untouched.

"Original and untouched", but they are not desirable (beyond being core Big Blocks).

Original would be nice IF they were in nice, clean, usable condition, as-is... Even moreso IF they were "Chevelle" engines... Untouched? Are you sure they have never been apart? Remember, they are 35-40 years old... alot happens... Standard bore is a little more desirable than overbored, but I have never noticed much, if any, price difference...

They are both low-performance variations from full-size cars, so I think realistically, $500-$1000 for both (not each)... The 4-barrel motor is probably the most common casting numbers available, with a very common intake...

Basically, you have two potential "cores" for a high performance (non-original) rebuild/swap...

BTW, I also editted my previous post above...

I would certainly like to see photos of the "Nickey" engine as well. Please post when available or send them to my e-mail.

Some of the early 396 engines could be bored to a 4.25" bore and still have good wall thickness. Both engines had the same casting, just different bore sizes. Could be built into a real sleeper.

Every Big Block ever made has been called an L-88. It should have alum. heads, 4bolt block, 7/16ths rods, special steel crank and a bunch of other different pieces. Post the block casting number that is a start.

"The 4-barrel 396 appears to be out of a 65/66 full-size/Impala." Correct me if I'm wrong, but this early motor should have a forged steel crank not cast like the later 396.

Should I take off the valve covers and check the head numbers on both engines? Also I am going over to the guys house tonight to get the pictures of the L88 427, he said he also has a motion Ls6 motor I dont know anything about motion. I will just take a bunch of pictures he said he has alot of stuff.

Should I take off the valve covers and check the head numbers on both engines? Also I am going over to the guys house tonight to get the pictures of the L88 427, he said he also has a motion Ls6 motor I dont know anything about motion. I will just take a bunch of pictures he said he has alot of stuff.

Sure, you could look at those head numbers, but they probably won't be anything special (206? or 702s on the 4-barrels, etc). I doubt you are going to find some rare desireably heads on those motors... just typical stuff that shouldn't make a difference on a trade...


I would be real leary of that guy, seems "to-good-to-be-true"... The guy seems to be tossing out some big names (Motion likely means Motion Performance, Baldwin-Motion, pretty famous Supercar builder (like Nickey/Yenko/Dana, etc)... I think someone was reproducing Motion or Nickey, etc valve cover emblems/stickers, so be careful...

Check the engine carefully... Even if it is not a "factory" L88, any performance motor from Nickey/Motion should have 4-bolt mains and large Rectangular port heads, large balancer (8")... Even if the oil pan is on (and you can't see the rods, etc), you should be able to see these other pieces.

Get all the numbers... And before you close the deal, ask about getting the block magnafluxed/checked before closing the deal... If he's on the up-n-up, he shouldn't balk...

Sounds like he's blowing smoke to me. Not you 1badss396, but the guy with the engine.

If it somehow turns out to be at least a good 427 core. I would at least say the trade may be worth it. Even if its not a L88.

OK Pictures are HERE
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/iservemp3/album?.dir=dc3b&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

The aluminum heads are worth more that both your 396s. I would trade before he changes his mind.
James

Trade

But what about all the cars?

see if he'll throw the cars in on the trade also.

I wish ;)

you look like you were giving us a strip tease with the car covers

you look like you were giving us a strip tease with the car covers
Too many covers their...

Are the cars for sale? If so I would be interested. At any rate if those cars were done at Nickey it would be ashamed to separate them.

He has an extra Nickey 427 L88 motor I can buy. And yes they are real Nickey cars original just look at all the original stuff he got with the car from the dealer stuff I have never seen till today. Like the Nickey Clicker. Funny thing I rember that stuff now as a kid, LOL

I sure can find em ! I can smell them cars miles away and can hear the calling me from far away. :D

That might be only the pip of the iceburg of that I have found so far I have maybe found the ultimate 1970 Chevelle yet, details will be soon!

So he wants to trade the engine on the stand for your 396s????

If it was, I'd be at his house already, no hesitation... Or is he trading some other motor not shown in the pictures?


But you said he wanted to sell you an extra L88... Not the same as the trade?

Not only the heads are worth more than both your 396s, but the tri-power setup is probably worth more by itself than your 396s are together...

the engine on the stand for my 396s and the 327 that I have.
Also do you think that L88 tri power motor set up will be a ok motor in my 69 SS convertible?

you look like you were giving us a strip tease with the car covers LOL :cool: their was alot of covers on the cars...

Well, If I were you, I would trade, and if you find out the 427 isn't to your liking, I have a nice 454 you may be interested in :p.... TRADE!!!!!!!!

PM'd ya something too..

the engine on the stand for my 396s and the 327 that I have.
Also do you think that L88 tri power motor set up will be a ok motor in my 69 SS convertible?

The tri-power setup alone is probably worth more than your 3 engines... An "L88" (12.5:1 CR, etc) might not be the best choice for your car, but you could always rebuild the 427 to more driveable specs, and it will cost the same as rebuilding one of the 396s...

So I'd say if its a straight across trade, and that 427 is good or rebuildable, then its a great deal...

If you have to pay extra for that engine (either cash, or built into the restoration), then it might NOT be the best for you...

All three of those motors are worth probably $750.00 at most. I would piggy back them to him to trade. Any one part of that L88, intake with carbs, heads or short block are worth more then all three of those motors. As a mater of fact I would have been at his door with all three motors. Like I said earlier I would be interested in any one of those cars or motors that you are not interested in. I have not sent you a PM or emailed you but you can send me an email with your PH# and I will give you a call. I am not sneaking around I put my intensions straight up front.

Nelson

Well either the guy with the L-88 is not for real or he needs schooling. Why
would anyone trade the motor on the stand for 3 general service engines ?

This is one deal I would be highly sceptical of.

Just my 2c's

I have more info on the motors now just the Heads Info


396 engines has a 2 barrel intake
Head # 3933148 J 30 8 GM 4T
intake cast #3962300
Block cast# 3955272
Water Pump pulley# 3932430DW
water Pump# 39310657 date K-5-9
Dist# 1111950 date 8J27
Exhaust R/H 3916178
Exhaust L/H 3914818
A/C brackets # 3940948
A/C model # 5910608 Code# 110781
_______________________________________

396 engines has a 4 barrel intake
Heads #3872702 L 25 9
intake cast #3966948
Block cast# 3855961
Water Pump pulley# unknow at this time short pulley
water Pump# unknown but is a short pump
Dist# 1111109 date unknow at this time
Delco Remy 5 1
Inside of dist # 2769047
Exhaust R/H 3884504
Exhaust L/H 3892307
A/C brackets # unknow at this time
Fan Blade G5 912239 SC
A/C model# 655961 Code # 073151
The 327 motor heads are 3782461 B 236 or 9 hard to see

That guys place is a TREASURE HOUSE. If I could, I'd buy that guys entire house just for the garage

Damn, I just relized you are only 4 hours away from me... Maybe I will have to lug up some old and broke 454 to try and get away with a 427 from this guy LOL..

Any word on engine price?

-Todd