Caveat Emptor...block stamp

[william]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Chevrolet-Camaro/124507822531?hash=item1cfd3e99c3:g:8xYAAOSwFahf7RFz

124379L524035...body tag VN263788

From the ad:

"The original DZ 302 motor has been completely rebuilt..."

Engine is stamped T0212DZ, block cast September 20, 1968. We are expected to believe the block sat around over 20 weeks before becoming the only Tonawanda 302. Other DZ engines built in that time frame have 618 blocks cast Jan 31-Feb 8.

"I have owned over a hundred first generation Camaro's..."

Body tag shows it was born Frost Green, green standard interior.

[z28z11]

Does the fact it's a VN build qualify it for a Tonawanda block (read as a 388 block) ? In that time frame, should be a solid 6618 Flint build for sure.

Regards,
Steve

[william]

Tonawanda could not build high performance small-blocks. All built at Flint.

[z28z11]

Tonawanda could not build high performance small-blocks. All built at Flint.

Exactly my point. I have heard of one or two supposedly documented 302's built on the 388 block, but I can't verify them, nor have I ever seen one in the flesh. I've seen more than several 388 blocks in Pace Cars, Tonawanda built as 350/300 horse engines  (like mine), I assume it's the 4 bolt variant unlike the low horse version (255 hp ?) found in passenger cars and trucks.

Regards,
Steve

[adjudimo]

Everything I have read over the years states just what you guys have stated. They are evidently of the mind group that if you say/print it enough, then it becomes truth/fact. Their favorite book to read growing up was probably "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

[WorkinProgress]

My 04A built Van Nuys JL8 Z/28 has a 3932388 block, cast B-25-9 and assembled V0318DZ.

                                     - Warren

[HOT3O2]

I got in touch with the guy selling the car. He stated the block had to have the number 7 cylinder re sleeved and during the process the block was decked and the motor builder re stamped it.

[z28z11]

My 04A built Van Nuys JL8 Z/28 has a 3932388 block, cast B-25-9 and assembled V0318DZ.

                                     - Warren

I would tend to believe that in opposition to a Tonawanda assembled 388 block built as a 302, as William indicated. Since Tonawanda did not assemble the HP small blocks ordinarily, it would require transfer of the components to affect the build - why would they do that ? I could imagine block transfers or substitutions, but not internals for a less-than-handful of engines, just my opinion. This excerpt is from "Block Casting Numbers", CRG: "The 3932388 block is sometimes noted as being 'rare', but it actually was commonly used in mid-69 production. It was cast and used mainly at Tonawanda. The 3956618 block was also used in mid-69 production."

I have seen 4 bolt 6618 blocks used as 255 hp 350 engines in Camaros, trucks and as 302's - 010 blocks the same way. 388's are far less common.

Regards,
Steve

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

HOT302 - Did you ask the owner about the rear bumper?  Did GM stamp date codes on bumpers?

[HOT3O2]

No sorry, I sure didn’t.

[jvb6648]

Where is the block stamped, it doesn't appear to be on the deck, no signs of machining, and why would the machinist restamp at the the filter area? When did they start stamping near the filter  and did Tonawanda stamp there also?

[Kelley W King]

The stamp looks to me like it is not even on a type of metal I have seen unless they ground a flat spot on the block near the filter. Whatever it is to me as a buyer it would be worthless as far as value.

[z28z11]

Partial VIN's were stamped at the assembly plant, Norwood began stamping the partial above the oil filter on the side of the block in December to avoid removing the alternator. From discussion on the the CRG, VN cars were intermittent; a lot if not most of them were stamped on the deck until later in the year. The stamping shown in the ad looks plausible in comparison to my only 350 example (my Z11 block stamping is pictured), but the ad doesn't show the partial VIN. I would guess that it would be on the deck if it was legitimate -

Regards,
Steve

[z28z11]

Where is the block stamped, it doesn't appear to be on the deck, no signs of machining, and why would the machinist restamp at the the filter area? When did they start stamping near the filter  and did Tonawanda stamp there also?

Copy the image in the ad, flip it 180 degrees and blow it up a bit. The eBay pic is so small it doesn't copy very well, nor could Image Resizer expand it without losing definition for me. It's on the pad right where it should be, look at the casting features on my pic and you'll see the same shape around it.

Regards,
Steve

[firstgenaddict]

My 04A built Van Nuys JL8 Z/28 has a 3932388 block, cast B-25-9 and assembled V0318DZ.

                                     - Warren

They transferred castings between the foundries and the machining operations in order to ensure that the castings were able to be machined in BOTH locations for redundancies in case something happened to one of the machining locations or one of the foundries. There were not that many and very few ended up in a vehicle WE have any interest in.