Hello, New here and new vette owner. I have a 68 convertible and am trying to find what the original engine this car had, the vin decoder simply says V8. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

welcome
any numbers on the engine stamp?
pass side front of head on block.
any plate on center console?
small block was 327 300hp or 350
big block 427 a few differences and
327ci - 300HP Engine (std), 327ci -350HP Engine, 427ci - 390HP Engine, 427ci -400HP Engine, 427ci - 430HP Engine, 427ci - 435HP Engine

 

I know what engine is in it. i want to know what engine came in it. i was told it was originally a 427 vette but has a 327 now..

 

There is nothing as far as car codes or VIN look-up to know what it originally came with.

There are telltale signs of a big block from the factory:

 

That might be a tall order without a build sheet...
There are things you can look for that can tell you if it was a big block or small block car, but they won't tell you which engine was in it.
Look at the rear end. If it has heavy duty U-joint caps instead of U-bolts, that came from a Big block car.
There are other differences, heavy duty coil springs, etc...
I never delt with a 68 so I am not sure of all the nuances of that year. Perhaps differences in fuel lines, etc...

 

Well, if the engine code matches the car's configuration, there's a chance it is original. I the partial VIN matches the car, there's a very good chance it is original. 327 were one year only in C3s (68).

Did the PO (previous owner) include any documentation to support the claim that this was a 427 Vette?

I think new members need to make a few posts before they can add pictures, but hopefully you can post photos soon.

 

Rule #1 in the C2/C3 Corvette world, take at face value any seller saying it was originally a 427 Vette because 9 out of 10 times it was a SB car. As others have pointed out there are telltale signs you can look for to determine if it was a factory BB Vette.

 

thanks Guys, I will look for the few things mentioned. It has a 427 hood and the front end appears to sit a bit higher than i think it should which makes me think the heavier springs were for a big block. (maybe?) But I'm new to vettes and not sure if that is the case. Someone mentioned the tach. What should i look for there? This is my Vette. Not sure why the picture uploaded like this.
VIN 194678S426565

 

What does your 327 say on the engine stamp pad? (On the block, just in front of the passenger side head)

https://corvettec3.ca/engines.htm

 

T0i27ho. I see the HO indicates a base 327 300HP with Hydro matic. My car is a 4 speed. I'm pretty sure the engine is not original.

 

The tach has the orange line marked at 6300 RPM. Does that tell me anything about the engine?

 

Is either the engine, or your transmission, stamped with a partial VIN? Any casting dates readable?

T0127HO, 27 January, made in Tonawanda.

The Lime Book has HO stamped 327s in Corvettes from 65-68, all automatics, plus one more 69 350 in a passenger car (with a 4-speed).
http://camaros.org/pdf/LimeBook.pdf

While you are digging around, it might also be worth checking if your transmission is original. A 4-speed swap is just as likely as an engine swap, and there is still a chance that engine is original.

Perhaps it's a complete drivetrain pullout, and is the 69 350 4-speed.

 

its not in the registry so no help there....There is no way of telling simply because you can buy all the parts to make it a big block or a small block. Without out the motor stamp it can be anything the owner wants it to be. I have all the big block stuff in my car but it didnt start out that way. If you want a big block you can drop one in with little issue. Its the exact same car besides some bolt on parts. The only thing different between any 68 is the frames for auto and standard with the welded in 4 speed tranny cross members and early and late frames with the rear kick up support that the 69 and later cars had. Other than those 2 things you can add and remove parts and swap them out and it would be either a small block or a big block. Yours being a later 68, you may have a vin on your tranny, if it does match and not a restamp, then you should have the small block radiator support.....I do know some 68s had a big block radiator support with the small block radiator mounts so you could use either radiator. pics of your engine compartment would help a little.

Fuel vent return lines dont mean much because big blocks used both with and without depending on the engine combo, rear sway bars can be removed, rear ends swapped up and down for gear ratios depending on fuel economy needs, the tach may help if you can get a pic under neath, the original stickers may still be on it. There just isnt any real proof without the build sheet or an engine stamp

 

* WOW* LQQKS like mine ................Welcome & enjoy your new ride !

 

If the fuel tank is original, the build sheet may still be there and legible. At the factory they were glued to the top of the fuel tank. Jerry

 

None of these things are going to tell you about the engine by themselves.....but a combination of things will support the fact that it may or may not have had a big block in it.
The 427 L-71 tach redlined at 6500 rpm with the yellow warning starting at 6300rpm.....none of the tachs had a orange line starting at 6300rpm.
You were asked if it had straps or solid caps holding the U-Joints in the rear...what does it have? What does the console plate say?
There are other clues but they are much harder to spot and/or explain.....
The way the car sits is zero indicator after 55 years.....
I say enjoy it and don't get to wrapped up if it was or was not....it means about squat now......the original engine is long gone and it would take a cool 25k to put it back to L-71 status in parts alone....none of which you would see a return from......
Lets say you do find out it is a true L-71 car......then what?

Jebby

 

The Tonawanda foundry initial alone knocks this block out as original to any Corvette. Only Flint (F,V) codes are found on Corvette small blocks.

 

Hey Jebby, FYI: just a heads up 1968 has NOTHING on the console plate. Another "68" only part .

 

Thanks! I knew that would get noticed if the thread lasted long enough. I wasn't sure about the earlier C3s.

Is this true for C2s as well? If so, the engine must be from a 69 350 4-speed passenger car.

 

Here’s a few pics. Haven’t crawled under to check u joints. May need to jack it up for that. I guess I just want to know if I can swap it out for a big block easily. I think I have access to a 427 from a 66.


Here’s the tach. I found a receipt where it had been sent out for a modification to work with HEI distributor.




Fan shroud. Not sure the difference between large block or small.