I recently bought a 68 Camaro from Texas which the seller claims is a SS396.
I bought this car without engine and transmission and I would like to know how I can find out if this truly is a SS 396?
I have found out from the VIN that it is a eight-cylinder car with standard interior built at Van Nuys, LA and has the production code 325363.

Could anyone help me with this problem as I want to get the "right" engine for my Camaro?

Thanks
Erik.

First thing to check, if it is a bigblock car the heatercover should have its hoseinlets in the middle of the cover. Smallblocks have the inlets behind the passenger cylinder head.


Jan

big blocks also had different motor mounts there were offset toward the passenger side to give clearance of manifold on steering side.

big blocks also had different motor mounts there were offset toward the passenger side to give clearance of manifold on steering side.

What this means in terms of what you can see is that the engine mount frame stand (bolted to the subframe) should be taller on the driver side than on the passenger side.

http://www.camaros.org/diffs68.shtml lists all the things to check.

Thanks guys.

Seems like It`s a 396.
Any special signs to look for to conclude if it`s a SS?

Erik.

they did not make a big block that was not an SS

a 12 bolt rear end and the bb heater and all the stuff from the above link ...

IF it has a factory tach, the redline ...

IF an automatic, the Turbo 400 cross member

read the stuff on the link site

Yes, Factory Tach and gauge package is optional equipment does not mean it is a SS.
GM SS hood? and or at least a 12-bolt 3:31 posi with Multi Leaf suspension/shock plates, need to make sure it is original and or date coded. Most guys will swap the big block cover but you can tell a original one.

Jeff G.

Yes, Factory Tach and gauge package is optional equipment does not mean it is a SS.
GM SS hood? and or at least a 12-bolt 3:31 posi with Multi Leaf suspension/shock plates, need to make sure it is original and or date coded. Most guys will swap the big block cover but you can tell a original one.

Jeff G.
Why does it have to be at least a 3:31 posi?

and or at least a 12-bolt 3:31 posi with Multi Leaf suspension/shock plates, need to make sure it is original and or date coded. Most guys will swap the big block cover but you can tell a original one.

Jeff G.

It doesn't need to be at least 3.31 posi ... there a lots of original L35 cars with factory 2.73 & 3.08 non-posi 12-bolts ... including mine. Also, "original & date coded" is sort of moot since the engine & tranny are missing ... it will never be an original SS again.

Thanks again.
I`m gonna check it out when I`m back home.
I checked out the link above ands noticed that SS396 had tailpan blackout except on black cars.
It`s maybe a stupid question but was the tailpan on the black cars in another colour then?:confused:

Erik

no, it was just the body color, black, which was full gloss as compared to the satin or semi-gloss used for the BB tailpans on the lighter colors.