disassembled 375 HP 396 from 69 camaro

[abiddle]

I've heard of this local sale, her late husband was the original owner but kept the engine and disassembled it when he sold the car. I was told the car was subsequently totaled, also local but that doesn't mean its still laying in a nearby boneyard. Assume the car is gone. Engine had < 40k miles on it. I was told she has the original title for the car which I think is strange, I don't know if she has anything else.

I don't know much about the 396, but I wouldn't mind a new project. Any tips on what I should look for that would make the engine worth 4k disassembled? My wife will kill me if I bought another camaro.

Thanks - Andy

[cook_dw]

Is it just the shortblock, longblock, does it have accessories?  4K is high especially if the car is no longer around..  If you end up getting it I might know a guy that can rebuild it. 

[abiddle]

I was told "everything" including carb and exhaust manifolds. I don't know how much is true yet. I didn't speak to her directly and I didn't ask much because I wanted to know more before I started asking questions. And I don't know how much she knows anyway, hopefully more than I was told.

You're near me Darrell, I'm south of Knoxville just off I40. Are you looking for a project too? 

[cook_dw]

Not looking for a project just work plus I love building old big blocks.

[Bob Jenkins]

let us know what you find out, I could always use some original 396/375 parts if they come up for sale 

[L78 steve]

If all the high $ parts are included 4k is reasonable. Pulleys, carb,499,alt, etc.

[abiddle]

I would hate to see a whole original 396 parted out, sorry Bob. I actually feel like I want to save it from being parted, but I don't know what to do with it when I don't have the original body. I could buy it and start to hunt for the body, I know it was totaled nearby.

I will look at it this week. Can someone educate me on what to look for, or what to read so I can verify it myself? I can take pics if I know what to look for.

Thanks - Andy

[abiddle]

I probably shouldn't call it "whole" since its disassembled, and I'll certainly be challenged to figure out if its all there.

[cook_dw]

If it's completely apart it should be fairly easy to verify..  Chevrolet By The Numbers '65-'69 would be a good book to start with it you don't have it already.  If you have any questions you can pm me.  As for verifying the numbers are legit get plenty of pics. 

[bcmiller]

Yes, if you have questions we can try to help out.

Verify block, heads, crankshaft, rods, pistons, intake, carb, distributor, water pump, pulleys, etc.

[abiddle]

Does this look like the tag is an addition? And from what can be seen in the pictures, could this body potentially be a host for a true 396?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Camaro-/281895404351?forcerrptr=true&hash=item41a246833f:g:VjQAAOSwUdlWgGAb&item=281895404351

I haven't decided what to do with this engine yet, but I would like to put something back together as original as possible. It can never be whole again, but close will be good enough.

This might be separation anxiety, mine has been in the shop for a few weeks.

Thanks - Andy

[cook_dw]

The car has a couple things that make it look like it might be a big block car but Im not sold on it..  Tag has nothing that says its anything being an early tag...  Just buy the engine and give it to me.  Ill do something with it..   

[bcmiller]

So did you buy the L78?

Tough to say on that car. Crossmember and heater box COULD be from another car. Not saying they are but could be.

12 bolt is from a Chevelle.

[abiddle]

Last I checked its still for sale. Its not a complete engine, missing all of the goodies like manifolds carb air cleaner distributor, etc. I stopped listening after that. I have a few pics including the engine stamp. Although the car was sold (he kept the engine) and the story goes that the car was totaled, he still has the window sticker. I have a pic of that too because it confirms the authenticity of the 396 375 engine, but I should probably not post it since its not mine. Engine stamp T1213JH. The awesome coincidence is that it is a 52 52 like mine, but with black deluxe interior rather than my red deluxe.

[cook_dw]

Not worth 4K then..  Is the price negotiable?