C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

[Tom D.]

427 Cast 3916321

I found one in a 66 Coupe. Block came from a Police car, according to the stamped numbers. It's cast date is L187

1967 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide says "possible on approximately the last 100 cars" *. Anybody know what's in the "last Stingray"?

Also. how far into 1968 this block was used? Colvin's book says before January, or in January, 1968.

*I don't have a later JG, and wonder if similar words are in (for the 1968)...

[Kevin M.]

Re: C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

Anybody know what's in the "last Stingray"?

A restamped NOM.

Kevin

[Tom D.]

Re: C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

Thanks Kevin, but which casting was used?

Tom D.

[Henry J.]

Re: C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

Tom:

I wondered this myself. I have a personal e-mail communication from a member who frequents this board and who owns a late February 68 built car (435 HP I believe) with an original 321 block.

[Mark #28455]

Re: C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

I had an original block from a March '68 400 HP engine, it was a 439 casting. It did NOT have the dowel pin holes drilled for mounting the front timing cover, but DID have the cast-in bosses for them.

Mark

[Gregory M.]

Re: C2 (1967) - C3 (1968) Span of Use 427 3916321

I looked into this subject recently as I found an L89 car on Ebay that was a July 1968 assembled vehicle with a 321 block. The block was cast in Nov. 1967 and I was offered the following explanation for the delay in installation in the car:

"That is easily explained in Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick and Corvette by the Numbers by Alan Colvin and has been documented before. “It has been documented that in a period leading up to a possible strike, engines were built and stockpiled….The one to three month rule would not apply to these engines” (Colvin 79). From the Black Book: “A strike interrupted the 1969 production, so when Corvettes started rolling down the line again, Chevrolet’s boss John DeLorean, let them keep rolling for another 4 months” (Antonick 16). That is why a late 68 car could have been built with an block from November 1967 because of the impending strike in mind."

Ultimately, I was still unsure and did not purchase the car. From the sources that I spoke to at the time it seemed generally accepted that the 321 block should not be in a 1968 car assembled after January 1968. However, the generally accepted NCRS "6 month rule" would appear to permit the use of that Nov. 1967 cast 321 block in a car up to May 1968. Sorry, but all I can do is offer these observations.

Lastly, I was unaware of the previous post that refered to a documented 321 block in a late Feb. 1968 built vehicle. That would be the latest confirmed date I have heard on a 321 block in a 1968 car.
GM