Block casting: 3932388
Date: J 16 8
Stamped on front pad: T1oI8HB
0910457 (readable numbers of VIN(?) on front pad)

Possible early SS block?
Any help appreciated.

Block casting: 3932388 - Tonawanda SS block
Date: J 16 8 - Oct 16, 1968
Stamped on front pad: T1oI8HB - Tonawanda Oct 18 build 350/300 with TH350 trans
0910457 (readable numbers of VIN(?) on front pad)

If Camaro Vin should be 19N510457
if Chevelle Vin should be 19B510457

Would need a closeup pic to be sure.

http://www.integralsystems.com/388block.jpg

gandalf the block ending with ...388 and those ending with ...386 and possibly others were all used for various engine build ups. One block was not necessarily an SS block.
From my reading and from www.camaros.org (http://www.camaros.org) the ..388 also came in 2 bolt and 4 bolt as did the ...386. The guts and carbs and heads and intake determined whether it was an SS or not. The ...388 is not as rare as some books make it out to be.
Just an FYI for you. I have a ...388 4 bolt main block and its a LM1 350/255 engine. Not an SS.
smile.gif

Thanks Click - I know exactly what you are saying but please note I did not just post the casting number and suggest it was an SS. I posted the HB stamp markings too (which appear to be original) and am clear that still dosn't mean it's a Camaro block. Have referenced the usual MorTec & nastyZ28 sites but I could not find a reference for the VIN format and was hoping someone in here could help.

I have a set of 041 heads which came with the motor but I cannot say 100% if they "belong" to this motor originally and therefore I did not post. The casting dates are within a few weeks smile.gif

Anyway - thanks for the input.

Ok gotcha yes the Vin format is different than the camaros so I see your question better now. Im sure other gm gurus will input on it tho.
If it was a camaro VIN the 350/300 HB would be an SS then. smile.gif
arent numbers fun?

Jim, you are right to correct my post smile.gif I should have said 388 Tonawanda block was used for most higher HP engines, which your LM1 would qualify.

But HB is an SS350/300 block code, which was the direction I was going.

gandalf, 041 heads would be correct (almost manditory) for this engine.

Never saw a Vin stamp like that.

Me? correct your info Kevin? never lol I didnt think I did, only clarifying for gandalf that one block does not an SS make. Im still learning alot too. Summer has been brutle with work and family. The LM1 club will come along this fall. smile.gif
Could that Vin be Olds or Pontiac or Buick?

Could that Vin be Olds or Pontiac or Buick?
:D

Jim, Jim, Jim, Thanks for the chuckle. I assumed that gandalf has a chevy block, and not an Olds, Buick or Pontiac block (which are different :D )

I do not think GM did the Corporate block switching thing that early.

We have to see from the other guys if they've ever seen this kinda mark. Might be a rebuilders mark too. But I don't have a clue.

Did the B.O.P. blocks use the "T1oI8HB" style markings too? Any additional info/markings I could get from the block to help ID?

thanks,
g.

The HB code was used across the Chevrolet line in 1969. It is the code for a 350/300hp block. So it could have been in a Fullsize, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova. That doesnt look like a VIN derivative and could be a rebuilders stamp or something, but it is not a VIN stamping. The 041 heads are likely the heads that came on the engine.

It was very common for the engine stampings to use an "I" for a one. It is a Chevrolet block.