Rebuilt L-78 396-375 hp 1969

[Nova Research Project]

CamarosRus;

I am curious. What is teh date code for your example CKO block shown above?

Thanks,
Greg

[WILMASBOYL78]

I'm with Sully. Never saw an L78 Nova VIN on the block near the oil filter.(and I have looked at few) And by the way Rod, I see you just joined and it seems like you set up shop. Is this a business or hobby program with all the items for sale??

wilma

[CamarosRus]

Everyone, The Longblock above that I show VIN stamping on was assembled T0912CKO.......BUT here's the deal on the VIN stamp.....What I report as a W really doesnt show.....The LETTER(??) didnt strike the block as the NUMBERS did.
After writing Mark Meekins I received back a letter on Jan 28, 1998. In part he wrote.........

" Without a letter code in the VIN there is NO way to tell what the original application was. The one problem usually encountered when the VIN is struck on the bellhousing boss is the loss of characters or what appears as partial digets.
....................
The proximity of month closest to the assembly date of the engine, T0912CKO could make this a Nova engine( Sept VIN)or a Chevelle engine(November and Decemeber VINs). Of course, it could have also been used in January built Chevelles, but these are slim as the LS6 was geared up for production in mid to late Decemeber(actual date is unknown).
The Chevelle VIN for March is out of the question. I know this doesnt clear up your mystery, but I hope it gives you some insights.

Sincerely, Mark Meekins "

His letter gives other info about what months that VIN could have been used on Chevelle and he says that only month it could have been in a Nova was Sept 1969.....

If you guys know better about my eng I APOLOGIZE for misstating the truth. If it matters I can scan and display entire Meekins letter
regards, Chuck Sharin

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Actually I think I ran across this guys add somewhere while searching the web and thought some of you might have needed what he had for sale. Being a lot of you guys are looking for special date coded HP engines and parts, so I invited him to go to this site and check it out to see if anyone was looking for what he had.It sounds a little rude to me to ask the guy if he just set up shop.That would make me feel not welcome,I feel bad for the guy now because I invited him to come here.Should I not invite anyone else or let you guys know if I run across something you might need.If so just tell me.I am not for sure this is the same guy that I ran across but it very well may be.Is this site just for members only now.

Bobby Dodson

[Mr70]

Chuck
I'm curious,what is the Casting Date of your engine block shown?

It is possible it could be a 1970 Chevelle/El Camino application,if not an actual "W".
Only Chevelle/El Camino plant possibilities:
B-Baltimore plant December 1969.
K-Kansas plant November 1969.
L-Van Nuys plant September/October 1969.I favor this plant,as I have seen more Van Nuys built cars,stamp the VIN# by the oil filter then the other two mentioned.

Rick

Rick it would be very unlikely (read..have yet to see a car I thought was righteous) that the Baltimore plant stamped the VIN by the oil filter for a 1970 Chevelle application. The timeline of the Tonawanda stamping indicates it would most likely be a Van Nuys or Leeds car. The later L78's that I've documented seem to have 1 or 2 weeks in between the Tonawanda stamping and the VIN stamping.

Repectfully,

Greggory Carlson

[Jonesy]

The stamping looks more like an "N" than a "W".

[Rodbbc]

Is stamped only on the front pad.

[Rodbbc]

Mike let me know if your interested in the L-78 contact me at [email protected], can ship this also.

[Rodbbc]

This L-78 has only the stamping on the front pad, none over the filter area, dated is I-11-9 block castings of #854 if interested contact [email protected] can ship. Thanks