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First post on Corvette Forum. I'm attempting to figure out the size of my engine in my 1964 C2. Based on my research thus far, I don't believe it is the original engine or transmission. Engine Cast number is 3892657 which shows three options in 1967
(https://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/m...ml#ENGINECOD):
1967 3892657 302 290 290 2 Z-28, small journal
1967 3892657 327 210 350 2 car & truck
1967 3892657 350 295 295 2 Camaro
The engine number is VI014HC or HG/MC/MG (hard to read after cleaning up). Flint, October 14. Engine is a 2 bolt main. HC corresponds with 1969 with a M/T (which I have).
(https://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/m...rs-dtr-hq.html)
HC 1965 327 Powerglide 275 4 full size (doesn't jive with casting number in 1967)
HC 1969 350 m/t 250 2 A F X
Can a 1967 casting produce a 1969 engine? BL, I believe I have 1969 350. Thanks for a confirmation.
Wow, that pad is severely rusted. At the back of the engine on the bellhousing mating flange, passenger's side there is a code (e.g., A266 which reads Jan. 26, 1966). That code along with the block casting number will confirm the year as the last number of the code could be 1966, 1976, etc.
Then using your numbers stamped on the pad, you can determine the original build date.
Welcome to the forum.
Ron
Looks like an "8" which would mean 1968, which doesn't jive exactly with HC (1969). Close enough? Again, HC is a 2 bolt main, which I have. Perhaps there is a better website. Looks like the date is 1968, which doesn't jive exactly with HC (1969). Perhaps there is a better website.
This might have all been said above, but I had a hard time putting the information in the different posts together.
Casting date J216 = October 21, 1966.
Block 3892657 used late-'66 and '67.
Engine assembly stamp V1024Hx would have been October 24 which jives well with the casting date.
The two H with circular second letter options for '67 model year were:
HC (327cid, 275hp, 4-Barrel, Powerglide, Passenger car)
HO (327cid, 300hp, 4-Barrel, Powerglide, Corvette)
HG was not used that year.
Which code is on this engine would need some further investigation. I'm thinking the HC vs. HO horsepower difference may have been piston/compression ratio or just marketing.
Last edited by barkingrats; Jul 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM.
Casting date J216 = October 21, 1966.
Block 3892657 used late-'66 and '67.
Engine assembly stamp V1024Hx would have been October 24 which jibes well with the casting date.
The two H with circular second letter options for '67 model year were:
HC (327cid, 275hp, 4-Barrel, Powerglide, Passenger car)
HO (327cid, 300hp, 4-Barrel, Powerglide, Corvette)
HG was not used that year.
From the condition of that pad, I think this is about all anyone's ever going to know about the origins of that engine. Knowing the casting number and date of the intake manifold might help narrow down further, but it could have been changed.
Which code is on this engine would need some further investigation. I'm thinking the HC vs. HO horsepower difference may have been piston/compression ratio or just marketing.
I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think the main difference between the Corvette 327/300 and the passenger L-30 327/275 was the carb, the RPM the rating was taken at and the exhaust system. Both engines used 10.0:1 pistons and both used the 1.94 valve heads, but the Corvette 300 came with a Holley, while the passenger car 275 came with a Rochester Q-Jet and spreadbore intake. I think the 275's horsepower's rating was taken a couple hundred RPM lower than the 300's. Both engines used the 2" "ram horn" exhaust manifolds, but the Corvette used full dual exhaust with 2 1/2" pipes while the passenger car 327 usually came with single exhaust. Finally, I think V8 passenger car exhaust systems usually used 2 1/4" diameter pipes.
Engine Numbers
From the condition of that pad, I think this is about all anyone's ever going to know about the origins of that engine. Knowing the casting number and date of the intake manifold might help narrow down further, but it could have been changed.
