[Buckley]

Hey everyone,

With any luck I am buying the engine for my car in a few weeks. Was just wondering if anyone knew anything about this specific engine.

Tried looking it up myself but could only determine that its a 68-69 BBC engine.
I called Chevy and they were unable to find the numbers in their system (not sure how long they would keep that info on record, as it is 40+ years old).

Anyways, the engine numbers read 3965440 with the label hi-perf truck.

Thanks for any info you guys might have.

 

[Buckley]

Well according to wikipedia the 1969 396 ran at four different power ratings. The 1968 had similar results.

1969: 265 hp (198 kW)(2bbl)/325 hp (242 kW)/350 hp (260 kW)/375 hp (280 kW)

Any input as to which of these four power ratings 396 trucks followed? (I'm assuming it was originally in a truck from the hi-perf truck label.

 

[Buckley]

Alright well I was able to get a little bit more info from the current owner.

engine block #3965440
# on the heads B23
Manifold: GIMP2
Unknown #'s: GM3, K28 73

Does that help to identify it at all?

 

[Buckley]

He said he would have someone look for him when they get a chance. I'll post back if I get any more info but thanks for the quick reply.

 

[Buckley]

Alright so the person I am buying from gave me the VIN/ID numbers:

TO228ED and 18K209350

Not sure if im reading them right but from what I was able to look up,

18k209350 - 18K is the Kansas motor division. 209350 is the VIN
TO228ED - The engine was built in Tonowanda on 2/28. Not sure what ED means?

Any ideas what this might mean in terms of power? I wasn't able to find a way to identify what vehicle that vin number belonged to, and was unsure what that block in combination with those 73 heads would equal out to power wise?

Anyone able to add any input?

 

[Buckley]

Yeah it was starting to look like a 325 from the sites I was looking at too.

Just out of curiosity, what would go into converting this engine to a 350 or 375?

I'm assuming I would have to bore out the block, buy new heads to accomidate the larger bore size, and new pistons. As the deck height wouldn't be changing would I be able to keep the same connecting rods / cam chafts?

Kind of debating whether to leave it a 325 or upgrade it a little

 

[Buckley]

Hmm that actually doesn't seem like much work at all to upgrade then. Wonder if the engine is already tuned up to 375 hp (since from the looks of it it has non-stock heads).

I'm guessing the upgraded pistons have domed heads on them and the heads have a matching enlarged cavity?

 

[Buckley]

Awesome, might have to take you up on that.

Probably not going to be able to pick up the engine until the end of the month tho.

 

[Buckley]

Alright so I finally got the engine. So far i've just done some cosmetic work, stripped and painted the valve covers, oil pan, and timing cover. Everything seems to be in pretty good shape except for some dents in one of the valve covers that popped out for the most part. Should be sending the heads in to get surfaced this coming week, and it looks like the cylinders are already bored out. The engine also came with some new valves and aftermarket pistons.

I am kind of curious as to what I have here. Here are the numbers on the components

Air Intake Casting - 336789
Heads - 3933148
Pistons - 385624 / 21 Also has a set of pistons 340204
Cam Shaft - Looks like it says 19 L65, but its hard to make out. Had to rub flour over the lettering cavities to try to read it.
The engine also has the above mentioned heads.

So I guess ultimately I would like to build this engine up to a 375 hp output. Since the heads are from a different year from the block, any chance they are the 375 hp heads? Also, how do I tell if these pistons are compatible?

Thanks guys

 

[Buckley]

Hmm ok that makes sense, it looks like those cams are for a 325 hp engine too.
Should those heads, pistons, block, and cam be compatible if I were to rebuild it as a 325?

Also, would you have any recommendations as to what heads, pistons, and cams to use to upgrade to the 375?

Sorry for all the questions