Hi there

I am new to these forums and need some help identifying an engine block in a 1968 camaro RS/SS. It was a recent purchase, I am not very savvy on mechanics, engine etc so please dont flame me, just want like a dumbed down explanation on what is going on with this car.

The car I bought was advertised as having an engine rebuild in 2010, and is stated as being 427 ci. Even the grill has that number stamped on it. I got the engine block number, its 3969354. done a little research and this comes up as a 396 or a 402 and on one site a 454. The 454 struck me as there is conflicting information, some say the code is a 402 or a 396, yet a few have said 454. In any case I just want to verify its actually a 427 ci engine..

Can anyone explain in simple terms how I would find that out, how it could be possible that it is a 427 ci etc Can upload photos if necessary.

Many thanks , Jon :-)

 

Block casting is the same on several,if it hasn't been machined off the ID for what it is and what is came from will be on a small pad in front above the timing cover.
Here's some good reading for you: https://itstillruns.com/chevy-big-bl...n-5147043.html

Engine Stamping Numbers

 

Agree with Y2K, castings are used on several CID's.
The engine code stamped on a pad on pass side of block in front of cylinder head, are the numbers needed.

A picture of them, maybe use emery paper and clean the surface and mark with crayon, then sand off/wipe off lightly the crayon/marker, and makes the characters stand out.
Congrats on your buy/new chapter - enjoy her.

 

Looking at this chart ( Big Block Chevy Engine block Identification by minuit10 ) I didn't find 3969354,are you sure that isn't 396854?
3 and 8 are often confused in castings,396854 would be a '69-'72 396 or 402 the later being a .30 over 396 if memory serves.

 

That means nothing more than someone added a 427 emblem,true 427 Camaros are uber rare special cars like Yenko or Baldwin Motion and bring six figures at auction when they come up for sale.
My guess is that they have passed off a 402 as a 427,common practice unfortunately but that said the 402 is a plenty stout motor especially if you get one with the 4 bolt mains and a steel crank.
Those 4 bolt steel crank motors were found in both late SS 396 Chevelles and early '70's pickup trucks.
They called it a 396 in the Chevelle and called it a 400 in the pickups. lol
To add to the confusion there were also pickups with a 400 badge that had the small block 400.

 

HI Guys

My ad. You are indeed correct it is an 854 which would make it a 396 or 402. Also found this on the passenger side, attached pic.

So my next question would be this.

Whats the dumbest way i could tell if this was a 2 bolt or 4 bolt visually? For someone new to this like me?

Is it also a possibility the 402 has been stroked and bored to 427? If so is there a way of me finding out?

Many thanks for all your help, i am learning and i think it best i know what i have in futrue for upgrades etc

 

Those casting numbers, I'm seeing 09 71, which would be the casting date: September 1971. That block was used for the 69-72 396/402, and 69-73 454. Not for a factory built 427. Now that's not to say the engine wasn't built as a "427". 396 block has a cylinder bore of 4.094". The 402 was just a bored out 396 at 4.125' (but Chevy still referred to it as a 396 in some models). The 427 has the same bore diameter as the 402, so you could have an engine that was put together with 427 innards. Outside block numbers isn't going to tell you what you actually have inside.

 

Got ya! Thankyou so much for helpful insight, all of you guys. I guess would need to take thing apart to see if it is a 427 ci in that case. The price i payed was higher than normal due to it being advertised as a 427. Its not that i was expecting a 427 engine, but atleast like you said stroked , bored or whatever to 427 and i would be content. There is no way this could be a 454 thought could it? When you look up that engine block code some sites state 454. Mistake?