I am having trouble decoding some of the eng. numbers. could someone please tell me what i have got in this 68- 327 cui. 4-speed.

rear of eng. block 3914678
front of eng. on flat pad has two sets of numbers
18s403859
vi026ht (the zero might be letter o) not sure
also this eng. does not have a vac. advance distributor, is this common on 68-327 ????
I was told that it is a 327-350 hp but i would like to know what i really have in it.

appreciate any and all replys

 

The letters HT indicate that it is infact a 350 horse motor.

 

All '68 Corvette 327's had a vacuum advance. Does your distributor still have aluminum its ident. tag around it? If so, post the number and I'll tell you what it came from.
Best,
Greg

 

rear of eng. block 3914678 = L79 327/350 HP

18s403859 = Last 9 digits of VIN# which was in November 1967

vi026ht = Flint Michigan Plant

vi026ht = September

vi026ht = 2nd day (of September)

vi026ht = 1966

vi026ht = The HT verifies it is a L79.


If your distributor is original, it's part# will be either 1111438, 1111441 or 1111475.

 

According to this site, my V0425HP decodes to

V - Flint
0425 - 4/25
HP- 1965, 327, Powerglide, h/p, 300 HP, 4bbl, vette


but man, when I first saw that 425HP, I was thinking I had a huge engine.

 

I read it slightly different.

I believe the vi026ht, is actually

V1026HT

which translates to V = Flint Plant
10 Month = October
26 day built (10/26 = October 26)
HT = 327 / 350 engine.

That engine build date of October 26, 1967 is consistent with your car's early vin which puts the build date in Sept 67 as noted by others above.

 

So if the engine date and the build date should be reasonably close.... I'm guessing that my engine not a '65 as the site I linked claims.

Otherwise, my trim tag of J07 (May) seems to match up to the engine (April) as expected.

 

Just took in a 1968 Vette for resto on engine. As stated in the title, this is by far a very "unique" unit.

It has the only 327 production line unit to get a L/J steel crank. The 67's were S/J's and the 69's went to the 350". The one and only variation here is the '67 Camaro RS/SS which was a L/J unit and may possibly have used the same block casting number (I don't have any previous paperwork here with me today on these '67's, but I've done a few of them as well). However, these were built as 350's, not 327's!

The only other 327" units to use these cranks were "marine" pieces and
"over-the-counter" sales.

You wouldn't be able to find this block casting number in any vehicles that had S/J units originally.

I've been instructed to "knock the compression down" (to 9.5) BUT raise the HP numbers. No problem. This unit will be dynoed at the end we believe. Customer "on the fence" still!

The unit came in the door 100% original with the 11:1 "domed" pistons, #291 heads (2.020" x 1.600" valves), and the factory hydraulic cam. Still has most of the original engine components there, connecting rods, rockers, etc! Appears to be one very low mileage original, with minimal wear in the bores!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I do not have the vehicle here with me, only the powerplant. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

 

My casting number is 3914678

I do have the orig motor. The partial vin is there, and correct, so the motor would have to be from 68.

Guess that would make it

HP 68 327 Corvette 350 L-79 4-spd 4-Brl Holley, HP Hyd Cam, A/C, P/S


Thanks

 

the tag on the dist. is 1110985 delco.
thanks for the responce. i am new at this it has been 40 yrs. since i messed with these cars and engines.

thanks again

 

...both the 300hp & 350hp had Q-Jet carbs. No Holley carbs on smallblock '68 Corvettes.