Guys, looking at a 69 engine. Block casting # is 3932388, date is L-29-8. Was this block available in 2 and 4 bolt main? The front pad number is HD 350/250 horse 2bbl. The car does have the 2 bbl on it.Thanks.

The "388" block is semi-rare and it most closely resembles a "386" block. It came with 4 bolt mains according to my references but since there is little info on it who knows.

-Mark.

Chevy by the Numbers shows it as a 69 block used in Passenger cars and Camaros. Passenger cars were 350/300 HP 4 bolt blocks. It states that at least 2 were used for the 69 Z/28 302 rated at 290 HP and at least 4 have been found to have been used in the SS 350

CBTN " Very little is known about this block. It seems that most #3932388 blocks werwer Tonawanda cast and built, but some norwood-assembled Z28's used this block with Flint-produced engines. From all indication the block is identical to the #3932386. It has been found in Passenger cars with the 350/300HP engine suffix code stamping. At least four SS 350 and at least two Z28 Camaros were built with this block, with casting dates ranging from L 20 8 to C 11 9. At least one Camaro was built in September 1969 with this block. Other cars could have received this rare block. It is unknow which or why. most #3932388 blocks are dated from September to December 1968"


looks like you got one of the last ones since yours is a Dec 29 1968 build HD went into Nova's/Chevelle's and Camaros. Is there a partial VIN stamped on it on the front pad or on the rear tranny flange?
This will tell you what the car came out of depending on with a VIn of 19X00001-299999 being passenger car and 19X300001 -499999 going for either Nova or Chevelle and VIN 19x500001 to 699999 for the camaros and VIN 19X700001 and up for Vettes. happy hunting hopes its one of those 500001 and Up VIN's http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif


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Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442
chlupsajeff@hawaii.rr.com
jeffrey.chlupsa@hickam.af.mil

The VIN is down by the oil filter. It is a 600000 series number and matches the VIN of the car. The car also has a 051 build date on the cowl tag. The front engine pad reads T0505HD.This is also a convertible with an X-11 code.

Aloha/

Can you post all the info on the VIN/Cowl and engine so Kurt S or Daniel can record it for CRG. Also I think they would be interested in the Tranny and rear end codes since to me it appears that the block casting being made in Dec of 68 sat around until May of 69 to get inserted into a car. Neat that its has a Camaro Partial Vin stamped on it though , that i will say

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Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442
chlupsajeff@hawaii.rr.com
jeffrey.chlupsa@hickam.af.mil

Danzo,
Definitely interested in your car's data. Only seen one other 05I car.

And the 388 block is rather common. It was used as much as the 386 block. I believe Alan was going to update that note in the next edition.

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Kurt S.
CRG www.camaros.org (http://www.camaros.org)

How did you get a December of 68 block in a May of 69 car? Thing must have been lost in the corner of the factory for quite a while.

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Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 L48 - 350/300HP Engine (http://www.townisp.com/~markcanning/camaro/transparent%20air%20cleaner3.jpg)

I have seen a bunch of 388s too. I have one cast in April 69. Maybe that is one of the last? http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Kevin

The ..388 was also used as LM1 in 350/255 thats what I have here. LA built Oct 19,1968
thought Id throw that in
click http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

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69RS 350/255 LM1,TH350,Dover White,Blue Vinyl top
F&R spoilers,pdb,ps,am/fm,4.10 Posi.,A/C,
fold down rear seat.
My RS www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS (http://www.brainerd.net/~knudsen/69RS)

Once the blocks / heads get machined, they get used quickly. But I've seen a few blocks that were sitting for a while like this.

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Kurt S.
CRG www.camaros.org (http://www.camaros.org)

I picked up an engine from a mechanic I work with , 3932388 casting , date , J 23 8 , front pad TI026HA. He bought it out of a 69 chevelle back in 1970 from a junk yard , it had been backed into a tree at a rather high speed {silly kids}.