Help on Distributor decode
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
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From: Stevens Point WI
Help on Distributor decode
If anyone has seen my other posts I have the original distributor to my car but thats it no 427
I was looking at the tag on it the other day and I know it read
111926 which is a 390/400hp 427 application
Now there is a code 8 L 29 on it, does that mean
December 29th 1968?
Now I have a chance at a complete 427, block date K 9 8 and heads dated K 14 8.
Would this be ok?
Or does the date on the distributor have to be closer?
And will the pad info on the block then have to be dated after the distributor??
Or was the motor assembled without ignition until later?
My car was built March 3rd 69
I know I will never have the original motor back but I would like to get it close.
Thanks
I was looking at the tag on it the other day and I know it read
111926 which is a 390/400hp 427 application
Now there is a code 8 L 29 on it, does that mean
December 29th 1968?
Now I have a chance at a complete 427, block date K 9 8 and heads dated K 14 8.
Would this be ok?
Or does the date on the distributor have to be closer?
And will the pad info on the block then have to be dated after the distributor??
Or was the motor assembled without ignition until later?
My car was built March 3rd 69
I know I will never have the original motor back but I would like to get it close.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...was the motor without ignition until later?...
...My car was built March 3rd 69...
Good luck with the hunt.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: MS
Race Director
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
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From: Stevens Point WI
I am never going to pass my 427 off as the "original" motor.
I have a 512 block with a J 29 9 date which is too new for my car but I now came across another 512, K 9 8 complete motor for $800 so for the price I am thinking it might be close enough for now.I will have to keep my eyes open for a closer date.
I might just add the VIN of my car to the motor pad as the guy tells me there is no VIN on it now just for theft purposes.
At least I will have a numbers correct motor, as saying my car's original motor would have had these cast numbers or parts used to build it.
I think the Suffix on that $800 motor is LI which is a 335hp motor, they must have just changed cam or induction to get the 390hp for the LM suffix that I needed on my car?
I have a 512 block with a J 29 9 date which is too new for my car but I now came across another 512, K 9 8 complete motor for $800 so for the price I am thinking it might be close enough for now.I will have to keep my eyes open for a closer date.
I might just add the VIN of my car to the motor pad as the guy tells me there is no VIN on it now just for theft purposes.
At least I will have a numbers correct motor, as saying my car's original motor would have had these cast numbers or parts used to build it.
I think the Suffix on that $800 motor is LI which is a 335hp motor, they must have just changed cam or induction to get the 390hp for the LM suffix that I needed on my car?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Stevens Point WI
Also how long is it possible to have casting parts and assemble dates apart.
example, motor block cast in K 9 8 and assembled in ????? would Jan or Feb of 69 be possible?
I had a cast date on a 1966 396 and the assembly date on the pad was over three months later.
example, motor block cast in K 9 8 and assembled in ????? would Jan or Feb of 69 be possible?
I had a cast date on a 1966 396 and the assembly date on the pad was over three months later.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Dates on my '68 small block are:
left head cast March 28
right head cast April 1
block cast April 4
Engine assembled on April 9, 1968
Time build code for my '68: April 20th.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 6, 2009 at 02:33 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: MS
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: MS
Well we went from wanting to "get it close" to now wanting to fake an engine to look original. Sorry, I don't see any reason to stamp your VIN on a block you know is not original and could also actually be a crime in your state so check it out. Doesn't matter your intent, somewhere down the road this restamp will become the original engine and it is just wrong to do it. I thought you were looking for a correct and closely dated engine which is no problem, just leave pad as is or blank.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Stevens Point WI
Well we went from wanting to "get it close" to now wanting to fake an engine to look original. Sorry, I don't see any reason to stamp your VIN on a block you know is not original and could also actually be a crime in your state so check it out. Doesn't matter your intent, somewhere down the road this restamp will become the original engine and it is just wrong to do it. I thought you were looking for a correct and closely dated engine which is no problem, just leave pad as is or blank.
I have my initials stamped in the back of my 540 thats in the Vette now so if it was ever stolen and possibly recovered I could prove it was mine. I suppose I could just stamp my intitals on the pad?
Besides even if I stamp the numbers into the motor dont you have to have some special type or size of number for it to be right anyway?
Not trying to "Restamp" the block and call it original just trying to cover all the bases in case of a worst case situation like theft.
