corvette engine?

[DouglasVesey]

Hi. I need ya'lls help. I bought an engine that was said to be a replacement engine out of a 69 corvette. So far the numbers tell me it's a 65 327 with 350hp. So ya'll are the ones who would know.
The numbers are as follows,,,, T0820HV
PLease reply soon.
I might be willing to part with my newly rebuilt engine to the right person for the right price. It's in my 80 El Camino. And it runs GREAT>
Chweck out my truck below. And ya'll are invited to our great web site any time. Come check us out at El Camino Central. There are some SWEET lookin trucks over there.
LATER
dug

[Wayne P.]

Not Corvette *NM*

[DouglasVesey]

Re: Not Corvette

Is that some kind of reply, or am I just not reading these posts right? I'm new here, so I would appreciate some help here?
All I read on that last reply was, "not corvete NM".
Thanks
dug

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Not Corvette

The HV code would be a Corvette _IF_ several other factors matched. The big give-away is that the T in that code is for Tonawanda. All midyear Corvette small block engines were built in Flint, so it should start with F.

Now other cars can have the same code, and often other years. You need the casting date on the rear behind the distributor to tell when the block was cast.

[Joe C.]

Re: Not Corvette

Doug,

If the engine is a "870" casting, then it is a non Corvette engine. If it is a 3858180 block, then it could be a Corvette engine. HV is the suffix code for 1965 327/350 with 4 speed and T.I.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Re: Not Corvette

Mike:

The "180" smallblocks were assembled in Tonawanda. The "870" smallblocks were from Flint. The "870" Tonawanda smallblocks are non Corvette, and have a 2 digit year code (i.e "65"). The "180" Tonawanda Corvette smallblocks also have a 2 digit date code. The Flint, Corvette "870" smallblocks have a single digit date code (i.e. "5"=1965).

Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: corvette engine?

Douglas-----

Engine suffix code "HV" was used for some 1965 Corvettes with L-79 (327 cid/350 hp)engines. However, this couldn't be one of them since, as Mike mentions, the "T" (Tonawanda, NY) engine plant of manufacture rules that possibility out. As a matter of fact, it is possible that some 1965 Corvette small blocks were manufactured with Tonawanda CAST blocks, but none were ever built with Tonawanda-ASSEMBLED engines as is the case for this engine.

Engine suffix code "HV" was also used for 1969 passenger cars with 255 hp 350 cid engines. If the casting number on the block bellhousing flange is 3932386, 3932388, or 3956618 that will confirm its 1969 usage.

There should also be a VIN-derivative stamped on the engine pad. This would provide further confirmation relative to original application of the engine if any further confirmation is necessary.

[Joe L.]

Re: Not Corvette

Joe------

I don't think that those '180' blocks used in Corvettes were machined and assembled at Tonawanda. If I recall correctly, they were CAST at the Tonawanda foundry but the castings were shipped to Flint for machining and assembly. So, while they are Tonawanda CASTINGS, the stamp pad should still show an "F" prefix.

[William V.]

Re: corvette engine?

Joe

Do you know of a publication that provides engine codes and block casting numbers for the Chevrolet line and not just for the Corvette? In reading this post it is easy to understand how a code could be misinterpreted.

Thanks

BV

[DouglasVesey]

Re: Not Corvette

he he he I KNEW I came to the right place! I'll check the casting numbers on the back of the block today and get back to ya's. I am VERY impressed with the knowledge ya'll have.
Like I said, the engine is supposed to be a replacement engine. The corvette caught fire and the engine had to be replaced. I think you hit on it, that it was probably cast in Tonawanda, and maybe built in Flint. So I'm positive that it's not an original engine. Would that make it's value less than normal?

[DouglasVesey]

Re: corvette engine?

Where would the VIN-derivitve stamp be, on the front or the back? It is going to be pretty tough to read the numbers back there now. It is clean, since I cleaned and painted it prior to putting it in, but it's pretty tight quarters back there.

[Tony Merendino]

Re: corvette engine?

The VIN derivative stamp is located at the front of the block on a pad just in front of the passenger side valve cover.

[DouglasVesey]

Re: corvette engine?

OK, the casting numbers on the back of the block are 3932388 and there aren't any other numbers stamped on the front except for the T0820HV.
I guess all of the excitement has just been sucked out of this subject huh? lol
Let me know what YOU know.
Thanx
dug

[Joe C.]

My Apologies

All Corvette smallblocks were assembled at Flint, including Tonawanda castings.

[Mike Cobine]

Go Here

About halfway down the page you will find an engine diagram that shows where the numbers are.

Several years ago, Ed McComas wrote a book that had all the engine code numbers in it. I believe it was called the Green Book. I don't know if it is still available or not.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3000/matchnos.html