Coorect engine block for 1969 SS350

[sftibbs]

My 69 SS350 was built in January 1969. According to CRG, there are 4 blocks used for the 350 that year: 3932386; 3932388; 3956618; 3970010. However, the second and fourth blocks listed were used in mid year and late year, respectively. Am I correct then in looking for either a 3932386 or a 3956618 block for my car? And where besides ebay does one look for a correct block? Thanks.

[dougrmac]

My SS350 which was built the first week of January has the 388 block .

[KurtS]

As the verbage indicates, those blocks are listed in order, though there was alot of overlap.

You'd have to find an early 618 block for your car.

[sftibbs]

Thanks for the help. How important is it to find the suffix code HA? Or could I purchase an early block with the 618 casting number that was out of a different Chevrolet and hence a diffrent suffix code?

Steve

[KurtS]

3932386 and 3932388 and 3956618 would all work. If you're trying to get it close, you gotta go by the casting date.

[sftibbs]

Thanks again for the help...I'm finding these blocks are not cheap!

[Jerry@CHP]

Checked my CHP data base and most of the original L48's that I've looked at during the build period have the 388 block.  Any of them are correct but this is just the trends that I see doing on-site inspections.

Jerry

[1968RSZ28]

Here's a complete, running '69 350cid engine with a 388 block on Ebay now...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-350-CHEVY-ENGINE-3932388-COMPLETE_W0QQitemZ180419506915QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2a01d732e3

Paul

[sixt9x33rs]

Steve,

Here is a block (688) that will work for your car on TC. However, if it were me I would probably go with what Jerry is saying and stick to the trends.

http://www.camaros.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=38051&cat=8

[sixt9x33rs]

Here's a complete, running '69 350cid engine with a 388 block on Ebay now...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-350-CHEVY-ENGINE-3932388-COMPLETE_W0QQitemZ180419506915QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2a01d732e3

Paul

I read this guys ad. Unbelievable, I cant believe the guy is taking a perfectly good matching numbers car and selling the motor out of it. He would be better off just selling the entire car and buying a 6 cylinder shell then putting his race engine in it.

[KevinW]

Its too bad, I have a jan 1969 HA block in the shed, but the deck stamp was altered in a drunken episode and now it is junk for a numbers car  

[sftibbs]

Wow, I'm overwhelmed by all the help! Thanks!!!

What is meant by trends? Because the block that sixt9x33rs refers to on TC seems like a good match. Am I right in my thinking that as long as the casting numbers and casting date is correct, the deck stamp is not relevant since it won't be matching anyway? In other words, a 3956618 could have come out of other Chevrolet models, not just the Camaro.

Paul: I did see the engine on ebay, thanks. I think the date works because it's within 90 days of the build of my car (3rd week of January). I'm also looking on Craigslist and asking around. It does seem crazy to sell a totally matching numbers motor!

Steve

[sftibbs]

BTW: The casting date for the engine on ebay is November 12, 1968.

[sftibbs]

Kevin: What is the casting date on your block?

[68Zproject]

the deck stamp is not relevant since it won't be matching anyway? In other words, a 3956618 could have come out of other Chevrolet models, not just the Camaro.
Steve

Yes