65 big block update

[Jim D.]

Here's my original thread about a car I've known about for decades - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...009#post684009
Long story short- the widow called 2 days ago and now it's mine.
I was incorrect about the pad. It is "CE 0A" followed by "58988" (not the car serial # but it was gang stamped). The block casting is 3963512 dated C-25-70 and the heads are both 3964291 dated D-23-70. That comes back as a 425HP 427. It has the original 65 intake, carb., dist., coil, water pump etc.
The question is, what does the "58988" mean? It was obviously a long block but had no assembly suffix. Please discuss. Thanks.

[Terry M.]

Re: 65 big block update

Here's my original thread about a car I've known about for decades - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...009#post684009
Long story short- the widow called 2 days ago and now it's mine.
I was incorrect about the pad. It is "CE 0A" followed by "58988" (not the car serial # but it was gang stamped). The block casting is 3963512 dated C-25-70 and the heads are both 3964291 dated D-23-70. That comes back as a 425HP 427. It has the original 65 intake, carb., dist., coil, water pump etc.
The question is, what does the "58988" mean? It was obviously a long block but had no assembly suffix. Please discuss. Thanks.

Jim

Each engine assembly plant was assigned a block of numbers for each size (cubic inches) of their SERVICE engines. In this case that block of numbers may have begun with 500000. The 0A part of that stamp means it was the first run in that block for 1970. If it were stamped 70B it would have been the second run through the block of numbers that began with 500000. So yours is the 8,988th engine assembled for 1970. Helps you a lot to know that; right?
This information is from memory, and, if it becomes important enough, I can go through the trouble to check the Chevrolet information explaining all this, but I think I fundamentally have this right.

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 big block update

Thanks for the explanation Terry. That helps a lot. I wish it still had the original engine but heck, there's nothing wrong with a 425HP 427.

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 big block update

Here's my original thread about a car I've known about for decades - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...009#post684009
Long story short- the widow called 2 days ago and now it's mine.
I was incorrect about the pad. It is "CE 0A" followed by "58988" (not the car serial # but it was gang stamped). The block casting is 3963512 dated C-25-70 and the heads are both 3964291 dated D-23-70. That comes back as a 425HP 427. It has the original 65 intake, carb., dist., coil, water pump etc.
The question is, what does the "58988" mean? It was obviously a long block but had no assembly suffix. Please discuss. Thanks.

Hi Jim,

I suppose your combination could be called a 427 / 425. But the only 427 / 425 from the factory was the L72 (1966). The L72 used the 3869942 block and 3873858 heads. Your block is a 427 casting that started use in the 67 model year. From what I was able to gather with a quick search, your heads are for the 70 LS6 (454 ci 425 hp). Maybe I'm splitting hairs here! Anyway, enjoy your new big block!!!! Congrats!!!

Joe

[John H.]

Re: 65 big block update

Local Car Jim?

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 big block update

Local Car Jim?

Yup. It lived it's whole life in Grays Harbor County.

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 big block update

Hi Jim,

I suppose your combination could be called a 427 / 425. But the only 427 / 425 from the factory was the L72 (1966). The L72 used the 3869942 block and 3873858 heads. Your block is a 427 casting that started use in the 67 model year. From what I was able to gather with a quick search, your heads are for the 70 LS6 (454 ci 425 hp). Maybe I'm splitting hairs here! Anyway, enjoy your new big block!!!! Congrats!!!

Joe

This is the info. I found for usage of my block and heads at http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php

Block 3963512 - 1969-71 - 427 -335,390,400,425, COPO, 430,435
454 -345,360,365,390,425,450

Heads 3964291 - 1969-70 - 396/402 - 375
427 - 425,435 L-71/L-72
454 - 450 LS-6

My brother towed him to the local Chevy dealer in 1970 when the original engine cracked and was there when he told them to put in a 427. He said the car was noticeably faster with the new 427 vs. the original 396/425.

[John H.]

Re: 65 big block update

Outstanding. Hope to see you Saturday

[Jim T.]

Re: 65 big block update

Jim received your message in reply to my block question in a earlier post about if the replacement engine was painted. The factory replacement short block 350 that was installed in my new 1970 in SEP of 1970 was not painted before the installation at the dealership. I did not discover it until I did the next oil change in 1970. It is still unpainted today.