Engine stamp?

[John C.]

First post so forgive me if i make a mistake in etiquette.
Does this stamp look legitimate? I question the I in the TI004IM. I have looked at the VIN under a magnifier and it matches the 1968 convertible that I own. It belonged to my brother who passed away and was purchased used by him in the late 70's or early 80's. He had this block in the storeroom with the Corvette. The car had a 454 with a 671 blower in it. This block was cleaned and bored .030. The Corvette was built in Oct 67.
John

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine stamp?

John,

Don't apologize for etiquette!!!!!! There ain't none here!!!!!!! And welcome to the NCRS!!!!

My opinion of the block is that it's a 68 427 L36 engine with 3 two barrel holley's and a 4 speed transmission. While the Serial Number is not really visible this block is original GM machined in Tonawanda NY. I'll give it a 99.9% chance it was the original block in your brother's Corvette when it was delivered.
Restore the car and keep it forever as a tribute to your brother.

JR

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine stamp?

John, I(and many others I'd say) agree with JR's assessment.

The "I" in the assembly stamp date is expected. TI004IM is identifying a Tonawanda block assembled Oct 4. I004 is nomenclature for 1004. They used the letter I instead of the number 1 in the assembly stampings. What you have there looks excellent to me.

Rich
p.s. Welcome to the TDB.

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine stamp?

John,

Don't apologize for etiquette!!!!!! There ain't none here!!!!!!! And welcome to the NCRS!!!!

My opinion of the block is that it's a 68 427 L36 engine with 3 two barrel holley's and a 4 speed transmission. While the Serial Number is not really visible this block is original GM machined in Tonawanda NY. I'll give it a 99.9% chance it was the original block in your brother's Corvette when it was delivered.
Restore the car and keep it forever as a tribute to your brother.

JR

Really? I see it as an L68.

[John C.]

Re: Engine stamp?

Thanks JR and Rich. He also had a 3x2 manifold but I'm sure it isn't the original. No carbs though. I'm afraid it"s more of a resurection than a restoration.
John

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine stamp?

Michael.... It is L68.

The RPO for the 427 was L36, then add 3x2 with hydraulic lifters(as JR mentioned) and it's the L68. He just didn't use the word L68.

Rich

[Michael J.]

[Richard M.]

Re: Engine stamp?

Thanks JR and Rich. He also had a 3x2 manifold but I'm sure it isn't the original. No carbs though. I'm afraid it"s more of a resurection than a restoration.
John

John, there's a date code on the bottom of that manifold. You never know, it may be original to that car.

Another way to remember......

Take L36, add 32 (for 3x2)...... equals L68.

[John C.]

Re: Engine stamp?

The date code is 12.12.67. The other reason is that I remember my brother scouring swap meets looking for a correct date intake and carbs.
Thanks for all the info guys. I have the AIM and am trying to decipher the fuel delivery system. I'm not sure if this engine combo had an inline fuel filter with a return line to the gas tank?

[Michael J.]

Re: Engine stamp?

Take L36, add 32 (for 3x2)...... equals L68.

Right, like the way I remember an L89, which is just an L71 with aluminum heads, and the way to remember that is take L71, add 13 (for the atomic number of Aluminum in the periodic table), plus 5 (for the number of electron energy levels in the aluminum atomic structure), equals L89………..

[Michael B.]

Re: Engine stamp?

The Tri-Power Holleys used a single fuel line between the tank and fuel pump. Since this is routed between the body and frame, it's not likely to be deleted or added.

[John C.]

Re: Engine stamp?

I understand that part but the one I'm not sure of is the line that returns to the tank. Whether it came from the fuel filter between the pump and the carbs or from the fuel pump directly or was it even used?

[Michael B.]

Re: Engine stamp?

The return line came off the GF-432 Fuel Filter.

GF-432.jpg

[John C.]

Re: Engine stamp?

Thanks Michael, that is what I thought.
John