decoding bbc

[AnthonyF]

Hey guys I'm new to this forum! I have read a lot of info on this site about the subject of decoding chevy big blocks thus making me want to ask my questions here. I have attempted to find the info i seek by searching and reading numerous sites, but i cant decipher all the information out there. last weekend i bought a 78 chevy silverado k30 to use all of the 4wd components to convert my 79 c20 to 4wd. this truck had everything i needed and a plus, it came with a great running "396 out of a 67 chevelle". today i pulled the motor and got a look at the engine numbers. being only 21yo i am a complete rookie at anything to do with motors. after a little research i came to find the numbers and came up with this:
front passenger side under the alternator: 19C013942
B 3963512
(sideways T)
also found:
CONV 2
GM6
have pics included. motor is still very dirty (just pulled today havent washed it yet)
ill know tomorrow whether it is a 4 or 2 bolt after i get the tranny off and engine on an engine stand
from the info i found earlier, am i correct to say these numbers would put this motor as a 1969 427 or 454?

[jannes_z-28]

Welcome to the site!

There should be another stamp next to the VIN you have posted. 19C013942 is the VIN from the original car the engine came out of. Next to this stamp there should be another stamp that tell us the engine configuration and what model of car it came out of.

The casting number 3963512 (called 512 block for short) were used for 427 and 454 engines in 1969-1971 in both 2 and 4-bolt setups. They were used for the high-performance models of Corvettes, Chevelles and COPO Camaros.

The 9 in the Vin before C says that it is from the model year 1969.

I don't know which plant C stands for but I guess it is a Chevelle plant and if it is a 69 that would mean a COPO Chevelle ?? Others may confirm that if it is correct.


Anyway a nice find!


Jan

[jannes_z-28]

Checking some more on the plantcode it must be the Southgate Assembly plant in Los Angeles, they made Chevrolet Fullsize cars in 1969 so your engine probably came from a 427 Impala SS.


Jan

[AnthonyF]

I found another number under some grease it says T110ILE

[Fast67VelleN2O]

427-335hp out of a 1969 Impala with an automatic. It will be a 2 bolt block.

[TAR6569]

What's the casting date on the back of the block? Can you post a picture of the T1101LE code?

[AnthonyF]

Here's the T code next to the 19C code. I couldn't find a date code

[AnthonyF]

I pulled the oil pan off and confirmed it is a two bolt

[jannes_z-28]

FYI,

The I in the stamp represents the digit 1. The number 1 stamp worn out first and were replaced with an I, it is common.

The stamp says it was made in the Tonawanda engine plant on November 1 in 1968 (The VIN says the engine was for a model year 1969 car.

LE is the application code for an 427 335HP with TH400 for Chevrolet Fullsize (Impala)


Jan

[RichSchmidt]

Go buy a powerball ticket,you just found one of the most valuable big blocks ever made. It can be converted to 4 bolt caps and have the pipe plug on the side machined out,all for under $500 or so,and unless it is cracked it is probably worth about $4-5K. Pretty much it is a date code and casting correct block for somebody's Yenko/COPO car.

[Tracker1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichSchmidt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go buy a powerball ticket,you just found one of the most valuable big blocks ever made. It can be converted to 4 bolt caps and have the pipe plug on the side machined out,all for under $500 or so,and unless it is cracked it is probably worth about $4-5K. Pretty much it is a date code and casting correct block for somebody's Yenko/COPO car. </div></div>

hold yer horses hombre. The suffix code &amp; partial VIN will always peg this as an Impala block so... $4-5K? Not a chance. Save your $500 OP

[firstgenaddict]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichSchmidt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go buy a powerball ticket,you just found one of the most valuable big blocks ever made. It can be converted to 4 bolt caps and have the pipe plug on the side machined out,all for under $500 or so,and unless it is cracked it is probably worth about $4-5K. Pretty much it is a date code and casting correct block for somebody's Yenko/COPO car. </div></div>

hold yer horses hombre. The suffix code &amp; partial VIN will always peg this as an Impala block so... $4-5K? Not a chance. Save your $500 OP </div></div>

Yes and decked or REBROACHED blocks which have been restamped are quite easily discernible. It will always be a low HP 512 block whether it is doctored to look like something else or not!