Hello!

I'm restoring a 1969 Camaro. I'm puzzled about the engine codes printed in the engine block and I need some guidance.

The Engine Block Casting Number is 3970010. As far as I know this means it can be a 1968 327 or a 1969-79 350.

How can I tell the difference?

Then I have the code V0930CMJ where the suffix "CMJ" is killing me because for what I've read it means it's either a 1974 350 t400 Police engine or a 1980 305 automatic transmission engine.

The VIN is 124379N532040

Can someone help decode this riddle?

Thank you!

Axel

 

It's not a 1980 305, so you can rule that one out.
Based on the block casting and the suffix code, it's definitely a 350.
It could also be a 1975 federal engine, with a T-350 or 400 trans.
V0930= Flint plant, assembled September 30.
You need to look at the casting date on the top of bellhousing to determine the year. It could be on either the drivers or passenger side of the block.
Engine Decoding

 

Great! That's very helpful. Thank you very much!

The car does have an automatic transmission, I have to find out if it is the T-350 or 400 but for what I've read and you tell me, it might be the 400.

Another odd thing I read says:

"In 1970, engine application codes changed from a 2 digit to a 3 digit code by adding a prefix letter to the code. The prefix letter for passenger cars was C and the prefix letter for trucks was T. For example, the 1969 JF engine code became CJF in 1970. This change generally did not affect 1969 Camaros, but a few very late 396 cars have been observed with the 1970 engine codes."

In my case I have a Camaro without the 396 but a 350, which was built in the end of October 1969 and with that letter "C" in the prefix of it's engine code as they started doing in 1970. So chances are we are talking about the 1974 or 1975 350 t400 federal engine.

I'll keep on cleaning the engine and looking for more clues because the block has orange paint all over it.

Gracias Amigo!

Axel

 

Based on the "CMJ" suffix code, it's either a 74 or 75 block. That isn't the original engine for your car, so any car/engine reference in that paragraph you just posted has no relevance in your case.

 

Got it!... The good thing is I know now what kind of engine I have on my car.

Thanks!

Axel

 

I cleaned up today the transmission and found the following ID number:

B5P11D

B = Cleveland TH350
5 = ??
P = September
11 = 11th
D = Day Shift


As we talked before, this one is installed on a 69 Camaro with a possible 1975 engine. Could it be that the number 5 in the transmission is another clue that confirms I have a 1975 engine and transmission?

I tried to look at the casting date on top of the bellhousing but it's still hard to read under all the orange paint someone put on top of it, I have to keep working on cleaning that up.

Thanks!

Axel

 

5=1975. Looks like a whole engine/trans assembly from a 75 may have been dropped in your car.
You still need to confirm block date to be sure.

 

Now I got the partial VIN that is close to the engine suffix code:

16K405198

I guess it is:

1 = Chevy
6 = 1976??
K = Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant
405198 = The last 6 numbers of the VIN from the original car that got this engine that lives now on my 69 Camaro.

Still looking for the block date. I hope I can get it later today.

 

Hi!

With all the numbers now at hand and your amazing help, I think I have this engine puzzle solved.

I'm uploading the images of all those numbers on the engine and some other parts as well like the crankshaft.

Conclusion: Even though my car is a 1969 Camaro it has installed a 350 engine and transmission, both were built in September 1975 and according to the partial VIN stamped on the engine, they were installed in it's original resident car in 1976 in the Kansas City assembly plant.

The CMJ suffix in the engine code means it's a 1975, 350, 145 HP, 4 Bolt engine with a THM350 transmission.

Thanks again "Camaro 69" for all your guidance, now it's time to see what can I do to rebuild the engine and get more punch and power out of this engine, but... that would be part of another post and I know you can help me with that just by looking the pictures of your beautiful car.

Here in Mexico the Camaro was never sold on the GM dealerships, so having this car all the way down to Mexico City is pretty rare. What we have is several Mustang enthusiasts clubs. I'm waiting like hell the day I can kick their butts on my Camaro... Judgment day for their ponies will come soon!

Axel