Correct Engine 68 RSSS 396

[Michael4yah]

I have a 68 RSSS 396 without an engine and trans. I have found the correct 396/350 hp engine but IM worried about the dates being too far ahead of the cars assembly. The car was built on the 2nd week of Jan 1968 and the engine was stamped August 21st. All of the dates on heads, manifold, waterpump etc are within 60 days of the engine date. Is 4 months too far ahead of the build date?? It was built in Van Nuys

[William]

This is one aspect of the hobby I don't understand. Once the original engine is gone what's the difference?

You have a correct, vintage '68 engine. Slap it in there and start enjoying your car.

[William]

This is one aspect of the hobby I don't understand. Once the original engine is gone what's the difference?

You have a correct, vintage '68 engine. Slap it in there and start enjoying your car.

[Michael4yah]

I guess you could say the difference could be 10,000 or more in the cars value. I own a 04 GTO 6 spd so Im not in that big of a hurry. I would rather get it right. Restoring any car is a lot of work. Id like to end up with something that is worth the money Im going to put into it.

[SuperNovaSS]

$10,000 or more? Are you going to restamp the engine?


Jason

[Stuart Adams]

Without the original engine or POP, you WILL put a whole bunch more money in the car to restore it than it will be worth. Sounds like you could put the motor you have in it and have fun and enjoy the car. Or you could put a ZZ502 in it and really have fun. Good luck with it.

[William]

When we had the business, over time we had 2 customers fastidious about locating correctly dated components for their non-OE engine cars. Both cars have since been mis-represented as having original drivetrains. I still see one of them at local shows: a '69 Z/28 with a repro body tag displayed as a "numbers-matching" Z/28. So when I see guys asking about casting dates it makes me wonder what is really going on.

Since the VIN stamp on a '68 engine is very easy to read what are your plans? It still won't be the OE engine...

[68SSCamaro]

I'm in the same situation that you are in. My car was also built at Van Nuys, 3rd week of January 68 but it's a 325HP car. I was lucky to find a late November MW block and a late December Muncie case. I would guess that a late December block is probably closer to what was in it originally.

It's really up to you to decide what block to use. There are really no judging guidelines for Camaros (as discussed in another post). I've never really seen a consensus on what is more desirable (correct coded block, CE block, any block) so go with what you feel comfortable with.

I'm restoring mine to correct casting numbers and dates because that's what I want to do. I don't plan on restamping so there will be no questions on originality. I'm just trying to get it as close as I am able to what it was originally.

Good luck.

[WILMASBOYL78]

You can't see the numbers on the engine pad while you're shifting gears. If it is not a vin #'s engine or documented CE motor than it doesn't matter. Make it look period correct, if that is your thing, http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif and just enjoy it!

wilma

[Belair62]

Michael take a second to fill out your profile...I would say 4 months is too far and if thats what you feel like doing you should try and get closer....not sure exactly what the "accepted" average timeframe is....peoples opinions vary....

[Michael4yah]

No not going to restamp the engine just get the right one for a "Correct engine" .

[Michael4yah]

Thanks, it sounds like youve been there before. Ive tossed this around in my mind for about 6 months now. I grew up during those years and one of the most common things to do with a 396 after a few years was to pull it and put in an L88. Ive had chances to buy NOS L88 shortblocks because Id still like to put it back to stock. All in all its still an investment. Id like to get as much for it as I could in the end.

[Belair62]

Thanks for the profile...although it may turn out to be somewhat of an investment...make sure you do it how you like it....who knows what cars will be worth next week let alone next year.

[Michael4yah]

When I was 15 I bought my first car a 57 2dr Belair. Fixed it up and sold it and bought a 64 Ford Custom 427/425 when I was 16. Fixed it up and sold it and bought a 58 Vette when I was 17. By the time I got to be 18 and a senior in HS I had made enough on the previous cars to buy a new 69' Nova SS 396/375. While I dont think I will make that kind of money on this Camaro I still hate losing money on cars. I look at it like you would war. The battle is won or lost before the 1st shot is fired.