I'm a 23 year old kid who has been around cars ever since I can remember. Recently I purchased a 1969 Corvette with the purpose of restoring. Its a L36 (427 with 390 HP), well atleast whats what it originally had. Currently its has a 327 but I plan on selling it and replacing it with a 427 with the correct stamp Number. I have a book with all the parts and correlating numbers. For 1969 it says there are 2 early 427 (3935439 & 3955270) and a late 427 (3963512). How can I figure out which is the correct one? Does it go by the last 6 numbers of the VIN? VIN = 194379S708668 .

Also how much should I expect to pay for just the block, and any suggestions on where to find it? Any other random advice is always welcome too.

Thanks for your help

 

Your VIN, # 8,668, was built in Nov '68. I would consider that an early '69.

Also, besides the casting number you need to check out the casting date. The block should have been cast no more than six months before the cars build date and no closer than one to two weeks before the cars built date. So a Nov 68 build should have a block from say June 68 to Oct 68. could be a bit closer than Oct 68 depending upon when in Nov the car was built.

tom...

 

Based on the vin the car was built Nov. 25,1968

3935439 was late 68 and early 69

3955270 early 69 (production run was Aug 68 to Oct 68)

3963512 mid 69 (production run Oct 68 to 71)


Because the correct casting date can be upto 6 months prior to car build date, the assembly plant for the car was St.Louis, and the engine assembly was Tonawanda or Flint.

So, I "guess" as choices 1.3935439, 2.3955270, 3.3963512.

The 439 was used after Jan. 68, so there are probably more to work with and it's listed as an early 69 engine. With this block you could use a casting date as far back as late May 68, or early June.

The 270 being so limited may be very difficult to find, howerver if you found a resonable one

The 512 cast and build date would only give you at the most 60 days


You could check into NCRS and get a judging guide. It would probably be helpful.

If they are still around Classic Engine Company in WI was very helpful to me. Tom is the owner and he supplied me with correct dated parts (flywheel, waterpump) for my car. He has/had many older 427's a few years ago. Check him out.

There are other places but be prepared to pay easily over 1k.

Good Luck!

NOTE: There is a 270 block on ebay around $300.00, but it ends in less than 24hrs. It's 4502573955

 

Thanks for the replies,

I took your advice and emailed Chuck Berge (head of 68-72 vettes @ NCRS). He verified the built date and said 3935439 is the correct cast number. As for casting date he reccomended a date within 3 months prior to the build date.

Once again, thanks for the help

Carl