Well just pull my BBC out of my 69 Camaro, the last owner said it was a 454 solid cam +30, found out different... 427 block 1969 #3963512 4-bolt, Steel crank #7115, TRW lightweight pistons 12.10 +.060, Hyd cam, #3873858 rectangle port 106.9 closed chamber heads.

Not much for the street, don't know if it is a vette block, but beening a 427 it's worth more than the 454... LOL

Any way to see if this is a dimond in the rough? Vette or COPO the block has been decked so stamp pad is clean.

Best to find a casting date. Casting dates on early blocks are near the starter. Later block casting dates were relocated to the back of the block. Use of the 512 block was carried over into the 1970 454 LS6 Chevelle

Also, look for the VIN by the oil filter. I don't think any of th COPO vins were on the engine pad.

ok, by the oil filter, all it has is HIPERF K 8 ? also I got these # off the back think it is a the first number or letter is hard to read J81 (space) 8or9

ok, by the oil filter, all it has is HIPERF K 8 ? also I got these # off the back think it is a the first number or letter is hard to read J81 (space) 8or9

Try to post a picture of the casting date.

Also if there is a partial VIN, it will be STAMPED, not cast into the metal. Numbers and letters will be about 1/4 inch in height.

I am betting the casting date is October 69. If it was October 68, casting date would most likely have been on the passenger side of block - on the side not in the back on the bellhousing flange.

427 and 454 used a different crank the 454 being a longer stroke the bore was the same.

427 and 454 used a different crank the 454 being a longer stroke the bore was the same.

Right. In the original post he said it had a 7115 crank, which is a 3.76 stroke (same stroke as 396 and 402). Bore is now 0.060 over - so the engine is now about 439 cubic inches. But that BLOCK could have originally been a 454 block. The 3963512 block was used for 427 in 1969 but for 454 in 1970 and 1971. So if the casting date is October 69, it could be either one. We may never know for sure what it was originally if the block has been decked. Normally that block would have something stamped on the front pad, even if it was a CE motor.

If it's October 68, it is not likely to be a COPO motor, and definitely not a 454. It would most likely be a Vette motor, but could be a full sized car. If it's October 69, it could be a COPO motor, but that's toward the very end of the extended 69 model year. If it's October 69, and there is no stamping down by the oil filter, then it is most likely a 454 motor. Go to Camaros.org, and find the writeup on VIN stampings for 69. Then look again at the motor. The stampings are often very faint, and hard to read as they were stamped on a rough cast area, not a machined area like on the engine pad. Worth a hard look, as a COPO motor is worth 8-10 times a decked 454.

after cleaning and scraping I found a stamp on the side by the oil filter on the bellhousing flang guess, it is hard to read T1114MN? it is barly visible stamped on the rough casting (any help?) well talked to the shop where the engine and asked them about this number?? and they said can't tell the first number or letter in fact most of the #'s thanks to my scraping/cleaning job. (was not me it was that big screwdriver) they said they have some dye that they can try and see if it helps to read it. :(

Ya right ????????????????????????post pictuers

Post a pic of that stamping.
Tonawanda didn't put the engine id stamp down there ,just the partial VIN.
Sounds like a restamp.

pic's will come, and the heads these are non-block matching or could they?

Those heads are 66-67 L-78/L-72 Rectangular port.
That MN code was used on the COPO Camaro and seems someone was trying to clone one.
As I said ,not likely with the engine id stamp down at the oil filter.

Now, if the MN code was on the engine pad........ something stinks.....plus, that's pretty late for a COPO.

Yeah.

It doesnt sound like anything stinks.The last owner said it was a 454,and he ended up with a correct year 427.doesnt sound like anybody thought it was the original engine.Lots of over the counter engines were sold,many were fitted blocks{as close as you could get to a bare block in the late 60's)and had no stampings.A friend of mine used to race pro stock in the early 70's and and Modified production back in the late 60's and ordered over a dozen of these blocks at a time to get bulk discounts for all the local racers.We sold 3 of these engines on Ebay as late as 6 years ago.He had everything brand new in boxes for 3 L88's including aluminum heads,cams,rockers,connecting rods,oil pans and all.Got $4500 each for them. all date coded early 69.There are tons of these engines around,but only the correct date blocks for the supercars get the big bucks.I sold a bare .100 over may 1970 block for $700 about a year ago,it wasnt much good for anybody other then somebody looking for a CE engine for an LS6 chevelle.In 1972 all crate L88,LS6 and 7's went to the later 289 block.

Have not heard anything back from the builder, I'll give him a call 2morror or later on in the week. They don't like it if you call them all the time. Well I'll just be selling this block when I get it back, I was just seeing if there were any real way to tell with out the stamp on the pad. Sounds like not and with my luck the numbers it will just be a 427. Which I think it still will sell? I hope. With all the extra's that will come with the engine, 2x4 intake with carbs, roller rockers, chrome pan/timing chain cover/valve covers, dist., and air cleaner. Also when I get the block back I'll figure out how to post the pic's in this form. Thanks everyone.

I'd like to know what you want for the heads and crank since you're selling the block?Thanks for posting,RSR

Rick, please keep the buying remarks in a Private Message to the other person. Site policy is no buying and selling in the forums, except in the Classifieds section. Thanks for understanding.

Sorry

It doesnt sound like anything stinks.The last owner said it was a 454,and he ended up with a correct year 427.doesnt sound like anybody thought it was the original engine.Lots of over the counter engines were sold,many were fitted blocks{as close as you could get to a bare block in the late 60's)and had no stampings.A friend of mine used to race pro stock in the early 70's and and Modified production back in the late 60's and ordered over a dozen of these blocks at a time to get bulk discounts for all the local racers.We sold 3 of these engines on Ebay as late as 6 years ago.He had everything brand new in boxes for 3 L88's including aluminum heads,cams,rockers,connecting rods,oil pans and all.Got $4500 each for them. all date coded early 69.There are tons of these engines around,but only the correct date blocks for the supercars get the big bucks.I sold a bare .100 over may 1970 block for $700 about a year ago,it wasnt much good for anybody other then somebody looking for a CE engine for an LS6 chevelle.In 1972 all crate L88,LS6 and 7's went to the later 289 block.

So you think a block with an MN code down by the oil filter appeared, how? by magic?

no need to post pic's, the marks by the oil filter was from my screw driver (and the shop playing me). So the shop had me wishing. But thanks, who knows what it is or was. No stamp on pad or by oil filter just casting marks 1969 427 I'll just leave it at that. Thanks everyone for your help.

I was just stating that he bought the car from a seller who claimed the engine to be a 454.Aside from wondering where 30 cubic inches went,I dont see any fraud.A real early dated 512 block is a find no matter what.I could see an MN stamped block being cause for your heart to flutter,but it seems that nobody was being cheated here.