[tim68rsss]

Just picked up a complete (carb to oil pan) fresh 396 engine that has less than 50 miles on it. I plan on putting it in my 67 Chevelle project (SS clone).

Casting # 3969854
Date Code D7 70
Front Pad CE0A57331

It is a 4-bolt main block, not sure if it has a forged crank, got to find the number, it looks like one though. Stock rods with new pistons (not sure of bore yet) and new cam. Evidently tall cam because the reason for taking it out was he wanted a setup for an automatic, wife couldn't drive car.

It has a Performer intake with Holley 750 Street Avenger (new).

For some reason it has 454 heads on it casting # 336781. Don't know if anything special has been done to them.

Was told this could be for a 70 Chevelle SS or Camaro SS since it is a replacement block (396/375HP). Is this the case and if so what would be the value of the engine?

 

[Dean]

With that date code, it should be a 402 .

 

[tim68rsss]

Okay, didn't know when it switched over, book I have says 396 or 402 block. Thanks!

 

[MEJ1990TM]

Wasn't it in 1969 they changed from 396 to 402?

 

[Mike]

69 model year ran late on some vehicles due to strike.

 

[tim68rsss]

Hope to checkout the crank and rods this weekend, anything special to look for?

 

[tim68rsss]

Got to check out the bottom end a little better, here are some pics. Any comments on what I have will be appreciated.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22461221

Looks like a 4-bolt with forged crank (turned 010 and 020), not sure about the rods. Also, not sure why the previous owner used 454 oval port open chamber heads (336781). Anyone know if they are okay to use?

 

[MEJ1990TM]

I don't see why they wouldn't be ok.

I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm wrong.

 

[Jim_66SS]

I believe that in 1970 that was the only 402 CE block produced in both the 2 and 4 bolt configurations. An acquaintance had his 2 bolt machines to be a 4 bolt. Produced in only the 350 and 375 cams and with a steel crank only. Two different tradmarks on mains might mean something was replaced.

 

[69bu]

Looks like a forged crank to me.

 

[Tod74]

without a doubt it is a forged crank.

 

[Jim_66SS]

The information I have, says all the 70 402CE blocks got a forged steel crank from the factory.

This post also brings up a different question I have and you may have Tim regarding the 70 CE blocks. Looks like in 70 they had a 265HP 402 and a 350HP or 375HP 402. Regarding the Rods, my information says that 1st design rods were used in the standard 1970 402's and the the 2nd design rods(dimple ) were used in the high per 1970 402's. I would guess standard would mean the 265HP and high per would mean the 375HP versions; but what would the 350HP version be? (In Previous years the 360/350HP verision of the 396 were considered high per, and the 375HP were considered Sp Hi Per).

Since the 1970 CE blocks came with the forged steel crank and the 350HP cam, would they have also come with the dimple rods? Sorry to kind of steal you post; but also thought this might interest you Tim.

 

[WILMASBOYL78]

I believe that in 1970 that was the only 402 CE block produced in both the 2 and 4 bolt configurations. An acquaintance had his 2 bolt machines to be a 4 bolt. Produced in only the 350 and 375 cams and with a steel crank only. Two different tradmarks on mains might mean something was replaced.

After the 854 block...Chevy used the 290 block (1972 and up)...we have a CE 290 4 bolt block in a 70 L78 car....as for the oval port open chamber heads...if they retained the 11 to 1 pistons...it's probably now a 9 to 1 motor or maybe less. The chamber volumes varied greatly on both the open and closed chamber heads during that era...without measuring all the variables it would be hard to know for sure.

wilma