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Z-28; engine stamp DZ 16563; fake ?

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vince70

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
hello,
I need a little help here.
I found a 1969 Z-28 camaro built in late 1968. The block casting number is 3956618 which I understand was built in mid 1969 and was used for the 1969 302ci, 327 and 350.
The problem is that the engine pad is not stamped wit the car partial VIN and the original engine code.
Only the number DZ 16563 is showing on the pad (see picture).
Any clue whether it my be fake, restored, etc. ?
I am new to this world , any help is very much appreciated.
Thank you
Best
Vincent
 

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Discussion starter · #6 ·
thank you for your posts.
So I guess it is not even worth considering making an offer ;-(
The engine looked pretty much like a DZ to me. Any chance it could be stamped with such a number after being fully restored or rebuilt ?
Whats's even weirder is that the car come with a full original FIVA certificate (including the engine) !!!!
 
#7 ·
vince70 said:
thank you for your posts.
So I guess it is not even worth considering making an offer ;-(
The engine looked pretty much like a DZ to me. Any chance it could be stamped with such a number after being fully restored or rebuilt ?
Whats's even weirder is that the car come with a full original FIVA certificate (including the engine) !!!!
Click to expand...
What do you mean "It looked pretty much like a DZ?"

Just about all small blocks look the same from the outside.
 
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#10 ·
In a word, no.
Any small block could be dressed like a 302, with a high-rise dual plane aluminum manifold, finned valve covers, 4-barrel carb etc.
 
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#12 ·
Slim chance a guy could have blown up his 302 and used the heads, intake and other parts on a used short block.

What heads does it have, intake, carb, dist, pulleys etc.
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
That's what I thought too. The block did not belong to the car originally as the car was first registered in late 1968 and the block 3956618 was built in mid 1969 for the 302,327 and 350.

According to the owner, the engine was rebuilt 6 years ago by the previous owner. That's all I know. I have no details, no document and no maintenance log, nothing. ;-(

All I have are some pictures. The number showing on the exhaust manifold is 3942529 which if i am right is for the 1969 307ci and 350ci, and not for the 302ci !!!

The registration card also shows 200 BHP of the 307ci not 295 BHP of the 302 ci which is weird too, maybe a mistake when they filled up the form.

Can we make a 307 ci out of a 3956618 block which I understand is only for the 302, 327 and 350 ?

Thanks
 
#15 ·
No you can't. The 302/327/350 engines are all a 4" bore. The 307 engine is a 3.875" bore. Not possible to make a 307 from a 4" bore block.

However, you're getting hung up on a block that was never installed in the car in the first place. The car was assembled in late 1968 and the 3956618 block wasn't introduced until January, 1969. Therefore, the original engine's been replaced. The 3942529 was used on the 307, 327 and 350 engines.

Going by what we know, the block's not original but the exhaust manifold might be, so if it is, your car started out life as a 327 or a 350.

Ed
 
#16 ·
I think it can reasonably determined that the stamper is right handed.
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
Thanks Ed, I guess this is it. Originally built as a 350 with matching block casting 3956618 and exhaust manifold 3942529 and then turned into a 302 DZ.

This explains the weird engine code DZ16573 on the engine pad and the absence of partial VIN.

Question is would you still consider buying the car ???? Probably hard to find a perfectly matched engine.
 
#18 ·
The engine was not turned into to a 302 DZ. can't be done any more then you can turn a dog into a cat.

Imho someone in fact stamped the block in order to deceive potential buyers such as yourself.

Without a doubt the car itself probably is not and never was a Z28.

If you still have interest it the car it it should be valued as a plain jane and is worth nothing more. Decision to buy and how much to pay should be based on the quaility of the car and the sum of the parts.

I don't think you've mentioned whether it's a Norwood or LA car however being a early build it would be pre X code. So without the original numbers matching drivetrain it is very difficult to verify as an original Z unless there is bullet proof documentation.
 
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#19 ·
Vince,
please attach a link if possible of the car you are considering, we all would like you to be HAPPY with your purchase.:beers:

Vince
 
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#20 ·
Question is would you still consider buying the car ????
Answer: It all depends.

Without original documentation, the value of the car should be determined by the condition of its body, undercarriage, options, interior, and drivetrain. Do not include the badging in considering value.
Evaluating a classic is tough to do. Post up a link to the vehicle you're considering in the "What's it Worth" forum and let the guys on here give their opinions on value.
 
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