Is there a way to identify the horsepower of the original factory-supplied 396 engine that was in my 1968 Camaro SS? I do not have the factory engine, so I am reliant on numbers on the body.

 

Engine code on pass side of block under the alternator.
Look for selling brochure of '68 Camaro as it will list the options.
Generally, SS's came with 375 HP with manual trans, 325 for auto's I think.

 

It is a manual transmission, and I can't find any sales brochures. It is an SS, but I would like to confirm if the factory 396 engine was a 325, 350 or 375 HP. My oldest brother recently passed away and this was his first car, which he got back several years ago and had planned to restore it. It is in rough shape and does not currently have an engine in it, but I am wanting to restore it to it's original engine size. Any assistance in helping me with how to determine the engine HP from the factory would be greatly appreciated.

 

375hp was said they may be under rated

 

It was.

 

There were 4 different 396's available,325 hp,350hp and two 375hp engines one with iron heads and one with aluminum heads.
The 375 hp engines had an aluminum high rise intake Holley carb and solid lifter cam. The 325 and 350 hp had a cast iron intake and Q-get carb the 350hp a bit more compression.
375hp only came with a Muncie 4 speed,no automatics came behind solid lifter cam'd engines.
You could get a 4 speed in any V-8 car but the lower powered cars came with a cast iron case Saginaw so if you have an automatic or a Saginaw you probably had a 325hp 396. That said back in the day if you knew how to work the dealer you could order about anything you wanted.
It's doubtful without the build sheet you will ever know for sure what it had.
Only about 4500 '68 SS 396 Camaros had the 375 hp engine, most had the 325.

 

may be ,best way to know would be to rebuild it to stock shape then put it on a Dyno. the 302 was under rated too.only way to realy know

 

He doesn't have the engine so that's his dilemma, he's looking for the factory hp rating for the original 396 that came in the car.
Without the motor that's probably not doable, knowing what trans was in the car might give a clue but it will not be definitive.

 

Here's about as much info as you can get without having the engine block.
Camaro VIN, Cowl Tag, and other Numbers Decoding
If you have any original parts like the intake and carb that would help,if you can ID the trans that would give clues.

 

Thank you so much for the help, I do know it came from the factory with a 4-speed manual transmission.