Thread: Chevy engine decoding with Vin on block

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I've got a car I'm looking at that had an older engine swapped in it and wondering if we can find out exactly what it is. It's got double hump heads so I think it might've been out of something worthwhile.
But the numbers on the block 3914678 decode to a 302/327/350 68-79 Car & Truck 2-bolt. The engine is Chevy red paint, camel hump heads with a short water pump so I know it has to be a 60s engine right? Trucks didn't come with camel humps did they?
Well...even better I've got a VIN on the front of the block. Can we find out what car it came out of with that?
There's 2 sets of numbers...
18K180469
VO3O8EI

What do you guys think?
Thank you in advance.

Ok so nastyZ28 had a little bit narrowed down info for this block. I think this is more accurate as I think it is a 1968 block. So which engine is it if it's got camel hump heads on it?

1968 3914678 302 290 290 2/4 Camaro, Z-28
1968 3914678 327 210 350 2 car & truck
1968 3914678 350 295 295 2 Camaro/ChevyII

what makes you think it's the original heads? And those 302's weren't any good on the street, they needed a lot of revs to make power. it was the same deal with the boss 302 ford, the heads on the boss 302 were to big for the street. Most aluminum heads today are better than any double hump.

I believe they are the original heads because the amount of grease and the paint matches perfectly. This car was sitting for quite a while so I'm pretty sure the engine hasn't been tampered with. Not a guarantee though you're right. As far as me wishing it was a 302 is because it's rare and worth more. I don't really care about it being a dog on the street I know they are.

It'll have a wow factor as they were a rarity. If you get it, I / We will be harrassing you for pics! LOL..

302 327 or 350?

IMG_20220907_170930320.jpg

Well... Looks like after some deep digging I may have answered my own question. EI on the engine suffix code means it came in a Chevelle with a 327 250HP with a Powerglide. So nothing special here.

Originally Posted by 69elko

Well... Looks like after some deep digging I may have answered my own question. EI on the engine suffix code means it came in a Chevelle with a 327 250HP with a Powerglide. So nothing special here.

Kinda sorry to hear that! Would've been neat to say the least.

:…… 327 250HP with a Powerglide……”


Whatever the VIN number says it “used to be” is usually exactly that…..“what it used to be” after it goes thru it’s first rebuild.

Normally on a rebuild, guys (especially hot rodders) will end up over boring the engine and the compression will land where it lands based on the pistons chosen to fill the holes, head gaskets used, milling etc. Often times the cam will be replaced with something that’s not even close to the factory specs. Of course, if you happen to have a better set of heads laying around chances are you end up throwing those on too. In the case of the double hump heads there were 2 flavors; one with 1.94/1.50 valves and the more desirable 2.02/1.60 valves.

From red paint and what looks like what may have been an aftermarket timing cover I would guess that chances are the engine has at least been partially gone thru at sometime in its life.

Anyway if it’s in a driving car and runs good enjoy it…….if it’s a candidate for a builder, I sure wouldn’t pay a premium for it. That said if the price is good it would be as good a start as any for an engine project provided it’s not already bored to the max or the crank turned to the minimum.

Unless you’re a hardcore numbers guy DZ302 or Corvette LT1 blocks are pretty much just bragging rights unless they are in the original car.


.

The “VO3O8EI” stamping is key here for engine ID:
V = Flint Assembly Plant
03 = March
08 = 8th day of the month
EI was only used in 1968 for 250 and 275 horsepower 327 engines (both horsepower ratings had 4 barrel bolted carburetors) and all were matched to Powerglide transmissions.

18K180469 is a partial VIN. It needs to be looked at as 1 / 8 / K / 180469;
The 1 is the last digit of the number of the body type:
15411 – was used for 2 door Biscayne V8
15611 – was used for 2 door Bel Air V8
The 8 indicates 1968 model year.
K = Kansas, MO assembly plant
180469 = production number. Chevy II, Chevelle started with 300001, Corvair and Corvette started with 700001 and all other Chevrolet cars started with 100001 – so this was number 180469 off the line.

It would appear that you have a 1968, 327 from a 2 door Biscayne or Bel Air. Nothing special, just one of a gazillion 327 engines produced. If you can get the number off the heads we can tell if it’s the 250 or the 275 horsepower model.

Thanks all. The engine is in a 70 nova, it runs but has a lifter tick or something worse. So who knows what kind of condition it's in internally. The car is a project but on the pricey side so I was trying to determine if the engine was at least worth something. Doesn't look like it is so I may pass on the deal.

If it's running,and has a "tick" use that to your advantage and get the price down. It's a Small Block Chevy so it's cheaper to overhaul and make it into something more to your liking.

Originally Posted by 69elko

Thanks all. The engine is in a 70 nova, it runs but has a lifter tick or something worse. So who knows what kind of condition it's in internally. The car is a project but on the pricey side so I was trying to determine if the engine was at least worth something. Doesn't look like it is so I may pass on the deal.

In these days of LS swaps, the old Gen I SBC's only impress the "period correct" crowd. Like Mike says, try to use the "tick" to your advantage, but also throw in that you'll probably be looking at an LS package just to keep it current, and that the "value" of the project doesn't really include the power train. Those double hump heads were added just to attract attention of those who remember when they were the hot ticket, and as was said above the aftermarket aluminum heads will give you more across the board.
Good luck! Hope you find the new project, and then keep us in the loop on your build!