CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Decoding/Numbers => Topic started by: MCrum on April 21, 2015, 02:09:39 PM

Title: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: MCrum on April 21, 2015, 02:09:39 PM
All,

I have a block I bought thinking it was a 1967 327 but the numbers are a bit confusing.  The rear block casting number is 3892657 and the front stamp is V05I8HY.  It was nearly complete from carb to pan and was stored in an older gentleman's garage shortly after he removed it from a wrecked city police car in 1967.

Any help would be grateful.  Thank you, Matt
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: bcmiller on April 21, 2015, 02:32:43 PM
Casting number you posted is correct for 302/327/350 in 1967. 

Is there anything more than V0518HY stamped on the front pad of the block?  And you are sure the letters are H and Y  ?

Post a pic if you can.
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: 1968 Z28 on April 21, 2015, 02:43:13 PM
The only "HY" code I can find at the moment is from a 1969 350ci full size car. I imagine that if it came from a "Police car" that the car would have been a full size one.  Maybe the original owner thought that it was in 1967 and it really was 1969.  But the  3892657 casting doesn't correspond with a 1969 so it is confusing.  My GM parts manual I am using for a reference only shows HA, HB, HC, and HF are used in 1967 and they are for a 327ci engine.
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on April 21, 2015, 03:37:42 PM
The only "HY" code I can find at the moment is from a 1969 350ci full size car. I imagine that if it came from a "Police car" that the car would have been a full size one.  Maybe the original owner thought that it was in 1967 and it really was 1969.

HY was also used for 350/300 hp engines in 1969 Corvettes (4B, MT)...
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: 1968 Z28 on April 21, 2015, 04:07:32 PM
The only "HY" code I can find at the moment is from a 1969 350ci full size car. I imagine that if it came from a "Police car" that the car would have been a full size one.  Maybe the original owner thought that it was in 1967 and it really was 1969.

HY was also used for 350/300 hp engines in 1969 Corvettes (4B, MT)...

YUP....noticed that, but ignored that application due to the "Police Car" remark in the original post.
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: MCrum on April 24, 2015, 01:24:09 PM
All,  thank you for the replies and the thought process.  Here is a pic of the front of the block stamping.  Since the story goes that this was out of a police car, so my question is:  Would there be an option of a "police interceptor" motor or something like that?  Since it is a 1967 block casting for either a 302, 327, or 350 could it be a performance 350 from a 1969 car?

Thank you, Matt
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: Stingr69 on April 24, 2015, 02:39:03 PM
Looks like a '67 low compression 327 head.  What is the casting date on the block?  Does the head have accessory bolt holes?  I am guessing the application may have been a commercial truck chassis. Our books don't have much info on those commercial engine suffix applications.  Lack of a VIN derivative makes me believe commercial truck as well.  Careful removal of the paint on the engine pad will reveal a lot here.  Solvent on a soft rag is best.  DONT USE ANYTHING ABRASIVE AT ALL. A picture of the back of the engine to see the crankshaft flange would reveal a lot if it is currently out of a vehicle.  I am betting against the police car engine at this point.
Title: Re: Do I have an Original L-48 Block?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on April 24, 2015, 03:17:10 PM
All,  thank you for the replies and the thought process.  Here is a pic of the front of the block stamping.  Since the story goes that this was out of a police car, so my question is:  Would there be an option of a "police interceptor" motor or something like that?  Since it is a 1967 block casting for either a 302, 327, or 350 could it be a performance 350 from a 1969 car?

Thank you, Matt

Since it is stamped for 69 Production (either in Passenger car - 255 hp, OR Corvette - 300 hp), I hardly see how it could be cast in 1967!   Your heads may be from '67, but these parts get swapped around a lot, and in 46 yrs, there's lots of time/opportunity to do that.   Believe less of what you were 'told' by the previous owner, and MORE of what you find facts for.     If you want to know what the block is, for certain, you need to find a VIN.  VINs for all corvettes and passenger cars in 1969 were stamped on the pad in front (to the left of your application code).   Check carefully.   You should also check the block casting no and casting date on the back of the block.   It is also possible (maybe even likely) that the internals of the engine may not match the block app code since the heads have been changed.