1965 396 block w/out stamping?

[Kurt K.]

I was at a friends house recently and was shown a 1965 396 block 3855962, that had never been stamped. I looked close at the pad and saw nice broach marks without being stamped. What could this motor be out of? I thought it would be an interesting discussion.
Here is a picture. Thoughts??

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

Odd there is no stamp at all, and since it is a 4 bolt main, sure it was not decked? But assuming it is a 1965 date code, it could be from a Corvette, a Chevelle, or the full size Chevy cars, Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne.

[John H.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

Service and over-the-counter short blocks and fitted blocks came with blank pads.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

Good to know, I always thought they were "CE" stamped.

[John H.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

Good to know, I always thought they were "CE" stamped.

Michael -

Many of them were, but the "CE" program didn't start until late 1968.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

That also is good to know thanks! So if you blew or otherwise had your engine replaced under warranty prior to late '68 it would have nothing stamped on the engine pad?

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

back in the day a lot of racers bought complete new engines for their race cars over the counter. i remember seeing brand new 3X2 427 corvette and 3X2 olds engines in dirt track modifieds

[John H.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

That also is good to know thanks! So if you blew or otherwise had your engine replaced under warranty prior to late '68 it would have nothing stamped on the engine pad?

Michael -

The only replacement engines that had a source/date/suffix stamp on the pad were "complete engine assemblies" (same configuration as-shipped from the engine plant), but they were only available on a special order basis from GMSPO when they were still in current model production at the engine plant. After that time, only short blocks (or "fitted" blocks) were available, and their pads were blank.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1965 396 block w/out stamping?

OK, that explains my previous experience then. I blew an aluminum 215 CI V8 engine in my '63 F85, and the replacement under warranty was a full engine assembly (the aluminum block when blown left a big mess with all the other components so all had to be replaced). That engine came with the full SG prefix and sequence numbers like the original one had, and the dealer's mechanic also insisted on restamping the VIN on the pad too. Thanks, this now makes sense with this 396 block of the OP, it must be a short block replacement for something Chevrolet.