Help! 1963 Engine

[Stingray6392]

I recently inherited my Dads '63 coupe that has been garaged since @ 1972. It's was a project in the works that was never completed, so I'm trying to gather all the information available on the car. The VIN plate and trim plate are intact, however the engine plate is missing. It was probably removed during the off-body restoration that was done in the mid 70's. The transmission and housing #'s appear to correspond with a '63, T10-7D with ID# 3813490 and the engine bell housing appears to be from a '63 as well with #3858407, however the only #'s that I can find on the engine block are on the bottom of the block on the drivers side - #3858403 - which I'm unable to locate for clarification and on the top of the block by the flywheel are the stamped #'s 18W360314 and serial #V0510EP. Any help on clarifying the engine would be GREATLY appreciated.


Thank you,
Jeff

 

[Tom Bryant]

Welcome to the CAC.

I can't find that casting number either. Can you take a closer look at it or take a picture? Also find the casting date on the other side of the bell housing flange.

From the VIN derivative and the engine code here is what I believe. It is a 327 special high performance L79 originally installed in a 1968 Chevy II at the Willow Run assembly plant. A pretty rare piece for sure although I believe it may have carried only a 325 horse rating in the Chevelle and ChevyII. It was 350 horse in the Corvette that year.

V0510EP
18W360314


The V makes it a Flint built engine and the EP makes it a 1967 Chevelle or 1968 Chevelle or Chevy II L79. It was assembled on May 10th (0510)

The 8 before the W is the year, 1968, and the W makes it a Willow Run plant installed engine. Willow Run built Corvairs (obviously not with this engine) and Chevy IIs.

So 1968 Chevy II 327cu. in. 350 horse (325 horse).

Not your original Corvette engine but a cool piece to have. If your plans are a correct restoration then this engine has to be changed but if you are going for a nice performing driver I'd keep it.

Tom

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

3858403 is the casting number for an SBC bell housing. The block casting number is on the top drivers side, just forward of the bell housing mounting flange.

BTW- there's no engine plate on either an SBC or BBC, so nothing has been lost. The stamp pad you found has all the relevant info required aside from the casting number and date.

 

[Stingray6392]

Tom:

Thank you for the welcoming to the CAC - it's a very well established and informative site. I'm still working through the proper sequencing and navigation of the site so if I make a few errors - please bear with me. Thanks.

If I understand your reply correctly, the engine that I currently have in the '63 does not appear to be the original engine. It, based upon the numbers on the block appears to be an L-79 327/350hp engine manufactured for a '68 corvette. Is that pretty accurate synopsis? If that is the case, is that the case - the numbers not matching is obviously an issue with authenticity - however, how rare of an engine is the L-79? And are there any beneficial factors in keeping the engine in the corvette?

I'll take few pictures tomorrow and send them with my next post to help with clarifying the engine. I do appreciate the help very much - Thank You!

 

[Stingray6392]

VH Mikey -

Thanks for the info. Do you know if the #3858403 is the original for a '63 coupe? I'll look and try to confirm the block cast number tomorrow.

Again, Thank You!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Parts numbers are weird and wonderful for '63s as there were so many running changes. I don't know if any '63s had this bellhousing, my books show it being for '64 to '72. Other more knowledgeable members should be along shortly to advise.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Glad to help out. The engine is a '68 Chevy II L79 which is very rare. The '68 Corvette L79 is very common.

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

VH Mikey -

Thanks for the info. Do you know if the #3858403 is the original for a '63 coupe? I'll look and try to confirm the block cast number tomorrow.

Again, Thank You!

The 3858403 bellhousing was used in small-block Corvettes from '64-'68. 63's used a one-year-only 3788421 bellhousing, which had a smaller opening for the (also) one-year-only '63 Borg-Warner T-10 and Muncie transmissions, both of which had a small-diameter front bearing retainer. Those two '63-only transmissions can ONLY be used with the 421 bellhousing.

Many 63's have been updated over the years to use the '64-up 403 bellhousing and the '64-up Muncie transmission.