Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, seemed appropriate to the questions I had and it was the first Google hit when I searched so at least I'm glad I landed here.

I'm looking at buying my first Corvette (wanting a 68 - 74)
I found one that purports to be a 68 427, but I have conflicting info. I found a prior listing from the former owner that says it has a 396 in it?
Both listings say it's a replacement engine from 1969, so I'm aware that it's not the original engine in either case.

1. If I don't care about numbers matching parts, what's the better engine to have?
2. Should I attempt to get a better price if indeed it does have a 396 in it since that's not even a Corvette engine offering at all?

I'll try to put info from the other thread here as appropriate so everyone doesn't have to rehash their answers. Thanks for all the info so far:


So if it was a 375HP Camaro/Chevelle engine that would be better than the 427?
I didn't see the ports but it has the correct 427 hood with the nostrils in it.
It's got a 5600 RPM tach.

Current owner says the engine code is 3955270. No pics, just text on the ad. I looked it up and that is a 427 code.
I also questioned the previous owner via his ad, and he said it was definitely a 396. He didn't post a code or pics though.


It's not sight unseen, I did drive over and take a look and a test drive. It's just not close enough that I can stop by on a whim to look at it whenever.
I'll definitely check out the article.

No denying those numbers are from a 427, I'm just saying don't know if the numbers are what's on this block or not.

Sorry boss, seemed apropos as the thread was talking about 396 CID engines in Corvettes and that was what my question was about.
New thread has lift off...

 

Without knowing what's inside the engine, you really have no idea which (396 vs 427) would be better. Both engines came in all sorts of HP flavors in all sorts of vehicle lines from trucks to Corvettes. The engine stamp pad on the front passenger side just below the cylinder head to block joint should carry unique stampings indicating what flavor the block was originally built for. But even then, that's not necessarily what's inside it now.

I think most folks would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a 396 and a 427 and a 454 just by looking at an assembled and installed engine. All of the non-block components can be year appropriate to lend a stock look. Meaning, that as long as the engine is strong and runs well, I'd accept whichever it has. One is not necessarily going to be of greater value than another since neither is the original engine to the car.

An adage in an old woodworking machine group I follow is that you can't trust what an owner of a machine says, even when they're looking directly at it and describing to you what it is. The previous owner may sincerely and truthfully believe it is a 396 all the while it being a 427. The casting numbers tell the tale. There are also casting dates on the block and heads to tell you when they were poured at the foundry. The block date should be on the top of the rear flange where it mates to the transmission; cylinder head dates (and casting #s) are under the valve covers.

PS - don't fret about bringing up an old thread - happens all the time.

 

Thanks, I think this if the best advice so far regarding value.
As far as performance between a 427 and a 396, is there much of a felt difference between the two?
When I gunned it during the test drive it pleasantly pushed me back in the seat so I'm happy with current performance. All I really plan to do with it is add headers and side pipes and then just enjoy the crap out of it.
I've waited 40 years for this.

 

Do you know about the rust issues with corvettes? There is a thread in the sticky section up top that is titled 10 thing s to know. You have to go down to post 104 or so to get back to the original post as it was deleted. Regardless it has very immportant info on buying a corvette. And a 68 big block corvette would be very fun to drive and own whether ists a 427 or 396. You can always bore out the 396 to 427.
as to the query about price change, what is the owner asking?
heres a link
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html

 

I am aware of the major issues but I looked at that thread too. Thanks for the info. I've been to see the car in person and it looks solid.
The ad stated birdcage and frame in good condition and the car seems to back that up.
Owner is asking $22k with 86k miles on the ODO.

 

Is it a coupe or a convertible. 22K for a 68 or any chrome bumper car in very good shape is a good deal. If it was a convertible 327 I would see it going from there to $27k. Most big blocks start around $30K


Can you post pics of the car in general, the interior including the dash and the engine compartment please

 

Thanks for the compliment.

Performance is completely dependent on what is inside the block. Corvette 396s were rated at 425 hp (396 was only offered for 1 Corvette year - 1965 - but other GM lines kept it longer) and Corvette 427s (1966-1969) could be had from 390hp up to 435hp. So, you can see that your question isn't easily answered without knowing what's inside. By finding the original engine's application stamp on the front of the block you can get a better idea of what may be inside it. Bottom line is that unless you disassemble the engine, it's hard to tell what it's made of. Until you can do that, your seat of the pants evaluation is all that matters.

 

Well, both ads agree it's a 1969 engine, so it's not originally a Corvette engine if it's a 396.
It felt good and strong, so as long as it doesn't affect the value of the car I'll be happy.

 

Good Morning tknospdr,

Looks like a solid purchase and a good price that you are obviously excited about. And, a big block Corvette too ( I'm jealous - I have always wanted a BB car).

FWIW, I have a 1966 Corvette that has an L-79 Impala 1969 327 engine block in it. There are some very liberating and freeing advantages to NOT having a complete numbers matching car, including engine. You are free to customize as your imagination and budget allow. It's your car, or will be soon, so you can do headers, chrome-chrome-chrome, side pipes, engine dress-up, suspension and brake upgrades, custom wheels / tires, stereo and speaker upgrades, etc. in the resto mod path which is very cool also. Rescue Roger has already provided the 10 Things To Know link (sticky) which you have checked off the list of things to do before you buy.

Best of luck and congratulations early on your first Corvette purchase. Corvette Forum is in my opinion one of the greatest learning and educational boards period. Incredibly smart Corvette people here who can help and are willing to do so time-after-time. Welcome Aboard. We love pictures.


Kevin

 

If it was an original big block car its worth “X” amount of dollars with a non matching numbers big block in it. If it had the original big block motor it would be worth more to some buyers and the price would reflect that. With a happy big block in it its going to be a fun and exhilarating car that melts rear tires. In reality with todays supply of parts any corvette can become abig block car with all the correct parts added. The only real proff is an intact tank sticker and those are rare. Enjoy the car and have fun. If you are going to drive it and not flip it then who cares what someone else is going to buy it for.