[dougefresh1982]

Hey guys, according to my dad I have a numbers matching 65 El Camino came factory with a 283 and Saginaw 3 on the tree. I have tried researching the stamp on the block and can't find exact specs. The odd thing is that all the 283 blocks are stamped with an E and the subsequent letter C,G, etc at least from what I have read. The stamp in the block I have is F042IC. Help.

Vic

 

[Dean]

Looks like TC to me

 

[dyno jonn]

IC was a 325 horse 396 in 65, 66, and 67. In 68, IC was a 385 horse 427.

If you assume that the I is actually a 1 (one) that would leave just a C. C shows as a 283 2 bbl.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

Flint engine plant assembled April second. The IC is odd, the only place I can find it shows
1) IC 65 396 325 4B,MT,TI PA
2) IC 66 396 325 4B,AIR,PG PA IC 67 396 325 4B,AIR,PG PA IC 68 427 385 4B,MT,PO PA
3) IC 68 427 385 4B,MT,PO PA

TC doesn't fly either.
TC 60 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 61 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 62 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 63 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 64 348 230 4B,MT

http://www.camaros.org/pdf/LimeBook.pdf

Grab the casting number and date from the backside of the engine over the bellhousing.

 

[dougefresh1982]

Flint engine plant assembled April second. The IC is odd, the only place I can find it shows
1) IC 65 396 325 4B,MT,TI PA
2) IC 66 396 325 4B,AIR,PG PA IC 67 396 325 4B,AIR,PG PA IC 68 427 385 4B,MT,PO PA
3) IC 68 427 385 4B,MT,PO PA

TC doesn't fly either.
TC 60 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 61 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 62 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 63 348 230 4B,MT TR
TC 64 348 230 4B,MT

http://www.camaros.org/pdf/LimeBook.pdf

Grab the casting number and date from the backside of the engine over the bellhousing.

Here it is

 

[dougefresh1982]

My dad said he has original paperwork for it. Haven't seen it yet but he did say it was a 250 hp 283....

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

IC was a 325 horse 396 in 65, 66, and 67. In 68, IC was a 385 horse 427.

If you assume that the I is actually a 1 (one) that would leave just a C. C shows as a 283 2 bbl.

I'll buy that. It's also backed by a note in the Limebook..."2. The letter 'I' is used in place of the digit '1' in pad stamps, except for the VIN derivative stamp."

 

[jeffschevelle]

Y'all are forgetting that the assembly date portion of the stamp requires 4 digits. In F042IC, the 042I is the date (an I was sometimes used for the number 1), so April 21.

So the engine suffix code is just C, not IC or TC.

C is listed as 283-2 barrel in passenger cars (Impala / Belair / Biscayne) in 1958 - 1964 (as well as a 57 265 2-barrel).

So that would not appear to be the original engine to your 65 Elcamino.

As suggested above, find the casting number and casting date on the block. That will pin it down better.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

My dad said he has original paperwork for it. Haven't seen it yet but he did say it was a 250 hp 283....

1964-68

3849852

283

But the C doesn't look like it was installed in a Chevelle or ElCamino.

1965 Chevelle Engine ID Codes

Decoding Chevrolet VIN, trim tags, cowl tags, engine, engine block casting numbers, cylinder head casting numbers, intake manifold casting numbers, transmission, interior codes, and paint codes.

chevellestuff.net

Leaves things open for debate.

 

[dougefresh1982]

So, from what you guys have stated. The block casting is from the correct timeline and the C dictates that it is in fact a 283 2bbl. I am confused how it's debatable? It is the original engine from what you have said.

 

[dougefresh1982]

I haven't seen the paperwork but will that have any of those numbers to confirm it?

 

[Bonkerman]

So, from what you guys have stated. The block casting is from the correct timeline and the C dictates that it is in fact a 283 2bbl. I am confused how it's debatable? It is the original engine from what you have said.

They are not saying it is the original engine. What they are saying is it fits the timeline possibly but the C stamp didn't come on a Chevelle or Elcamino. Also what is the date on the trim tag of the vehicle?

 

[dougefresh1982]

They are not saying it is the original engine. What they are saying is it fits the timeline possibly but the C stamp didn't come on a Chevelle or Elcamino. Also what is the date on the trim tag of the vehicle?

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

So, from what you guys have stated. The block casting is from the correct timeline and the C dictates that it is in fact a 283 2bbl. I am confused how it's debatable? It is the original engine from what you have said.

The block casting number falls in the correct timeline, the C however does not.

The date code just confirmed that is not the original engine. Bonkerman asked the right question.

1B is the body assembly date. The second week of January and the engine assembly date is April 21 which I assume is April 21 1964 since the suffix is C and I don't have a casting date. C is also not listed as a 65 suffix code.


These are the engines I can confirm came in a 65 Chevelle.

283 ↓​	​	​	​	​
DA​	283-2​	195​	Manual-3​	​
DB​	283-2​	195​	Manual-4​	​
DE​	283-2​	195​	Powerglide​	​
DG​	283-4​	220-L77 *​	Manual-3/4​	​
DH​	283-4​	220-L77 *​	Powerglide​

Like Jeff stated in post #8, "C is listed as 283-2 barrel in passenger cars (Impala / Belair / Biscayne) in 1958 - 1964 (as well as a 57 265 2-barrel)."

These are the years the C suffix appears. MT means manual trans and PA means passenger vehicle which are the 3 listed in Jeff's quote. Chevelle would be CH and elCamino is also listed as TR in this chart. See the Lime book.

C 57 265 162 2B,3S PA,TR
C 58 283 170 2B,MT PA
C 59 283 170 2B,MT PA
C 60 283 170 2B,MT PA
C 61 283 170 2B,MT PA
C 62 283 170 2B,MT PA
C 63 283 195 2B,MT PA
C 64 283 195 2B,MT PA

 

[dougefresh1982]

I appreciate the responses. However, can you explain to me how the cast number on the block is the correct timeline but the stamp is not. I'm no rocket scientist but I have enough sense to know those two statements are conflicting. How can I have a cast number time lined 65-68 but you guys are telling me that the block is a 64 based because of a letter C. Doesn't add up in my book.

Vic

 

[dougefresh1982]

I misread the responses sorry. Where can I find the VIN number to the car? Is it the plate riveted in the door jamb?

Vic

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

I appreciate the responses. However, can you explain to me how the cast number on the block is the correct timeline but the stamp is not. I'm no rocket scientist but I have enough sense to know those two statements are conflicting. How can I have a cast number time lined 65-68 but you guys are telling me that the block is a 64 based because of a letter C. Doesn't add up in my book.

Vic

The letter C was a suffix used from 1957 to 1964 model year 283 engines. These engines were used in passenger cars, Impala / Belair / Biscayne. The C suffix was not used for 1965 model years and as far as I can prove was never installed in a Chevelle or ElCamno. Even if the engine was built in 64 for the 65 model year it would use the 65 suffix.

Your car is a 1965 model year so it should use the Chevelle/ElCamino 1965 suffix codes below.

Code	Size / Carburetor	HP / RPO	Transmission	Notes
283
DA	283 cid 1x2bbl	195 hp	3-Speed Manual	-
DB	283 cid 1x2bbl	195 hp	4-Speed Manual	-
DE	283 cid 1x2bbl	195 hp	Powerglide	-
DG	283 cid 1x4bbl	220 hp L77	3/4-Speed Manual	-
DH	283 cid 1x4bbl	220 hp L77	Powerglide

The 3849852 block casting was used from 1964 to 1968 283's. So the casting number falls in line.

I don't have a casting date for that engine. Unfortunately, I don't think a casting date will help me prove that the engine is original to the car. On the contrary, it's likely to add more proof that the engine is not original to the car.

The casting date will look like these pictures and is on the side of the engine or the right side above the bellhousing.

You might try to Contact Dale Macintosh and ask him if he has ever seen a C suffix engine placed in a 65 ElCamino. He has more data than I.
Send him a pm by using the start conversation on his profile. DaleM

Your VIN is riveted in the driver's door jam. Unfortunately, the only 65 engines to receive a CONVIN on the engine were the high-performance engines. A CONVIN is a condensed version of the entire VIN.

 

[dougefresh1982]

Where would I find the convin if it has one?

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

Where would I find the convin if it has one?

I don't think you will find one on that engine because for 65 the 396's and high performance engine got them. They were just starting to phase in the federal mandate. It would be located on the engine pad before the engine plant stamp or in the rough near the oil filter. I only mention the rough near the oil filter because I saw this on a 68 Z28 small block.

You can read more and do more research at Dale's site here........http://chevellestuff.net/1965/vin.htm

 

[dougefresh1982]

So the cast date of the block is C164. So it was cast march 16, 1964. From what I read, the engine needs to precede the build date which it does. My dad said it was a high performance 283 from factory. This whole situation has got me thinking now. I mean engines have to be built before the cars are assembled. This car was assembled January 65. I have no idea when my dad's uncle ordered it. He could have ordered it early in 64. I don't think it's unrealistic for the motor to be built and assembled in Michigan and shipped to Fremont California where the car was assembled. Even if the engine was built in 64, it doesn't mean it's not the engine that came in the car from factory. I mean in my mind how would you ever truly know it wasn't unless the engine was dated after the assembly date. It's a seven month gap from engine to car assembly. I don't know how fast Chevy was turning these cars over.