Hi,
I have a 1963 Studebaker with a Chevy engine in it. I thought the previous owner told me it was a 1971 Camaro engine 17 years ago. But he had more than a dozen cars in a two story barn. I have been checking serial numbers, and the numbers for the Holley 780 and the heads match the 1970 LT-1 Z28 with a manual transmission. But...... there are no numbers in the usual location on the block..... on the pad in front of the passenger head. There is a number “5” stamped near the fuel pump. Is there any way to tell what engine this is .... or is it just an amalgamation of different parts? I believe the headers match those from the corvette of that year which would not fit in the Camaro.
Thanks,

 

Without the assembly code from the front pad, there's no good way of knowing what car the engine came from. 1966 and older engines don't have a build code at all, just the partial VIN, unless it's older than 1960 which will have none. Some small blocks had the VIN stamped on a vertical pad near the oil filter boss too. If you can't find anything, then the deck has most likely been milled. But you might be able to make the stampings "reappear" by applying acid to the pad, because the metal below where the numbers were stamped is denser than the surrounding area. Also check the casting number and date on the bellhousing flange, that might narrow it down if it's a less commonly used casting.