Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Thanks Mark! I felt like a lobster over here. I noticed that pad had the same 2GMEXXX stamping. Any idea what it could mean?

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

And notice the 2 & GME & XXX are all on different angle/planes so have been done w/ 3 different hits....possibly at different stages of assy? .

~ Pete

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

All I really knew about the motor is where it sat for almost 20 years. I thought it would make a real neat warranty replacement motor for a 1969 or 1970 car but it never got used. I sold it for my buddy about 3 years ago then last year I end up with a LA built SS396 Camaro that I think is a L/78 but with the wrong motor in the car. If Jason's motor came out of a boat and this one looks as if it was in a boat before it was put storage. Is it possible that these were installed when the boats were being manufactured? If I remember right Mercury marine used a LS6 crate motor later on in boats. And that might help explain the additional stampings on the pad. The motor I had did not look to have been apart and still had the factory GM / TRW pistons plus the hone marks in the cylinders.
Mark Sheppard

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

[ QUOTE ]
Shoe leather tastes good https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not eating anything, Marlin. Go back and read where I ask if this was a marine engine. I vaguely remembered seeing that stamping someplace and when mark posted his picture and I noticed the front of the engine it became clearer.

Both these engines, Jason's and Marks were built for marine use.

Rick H.

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Rick,

What about the fact that you insisted that my pad had been restamped?


Jason

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Jason,

I never insisted anything.

I haven't seen you even once consider this engine a marine engine.

Good luck with your sale.

Rick H.

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Never considered it a marine engine? Here is a quote from my original posting, "This engine spent most, if not all, of its life in a fresh water jet boat." Also, here is another from the 3rd page, "I may have also been a marine engine from day one, but the stamp on the pad was NOT added." The "I" in that quote should have been It. I am very interested in learning the true history of this engine. I like to think of myself as an open minded person, maybe I have been fooling myself. Where ever this engine was originally installed I am fairly certain it left the plant with the heads that on with it now.


Jason https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Could the ME stand for Marine Engine? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif Just wondering... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

If and when this thread comes to a conclusion, WE still need to learn why this 290 block casting, 1971 assembled engine, has the 1970 CKO code (?????)

Thanks,

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

I have placed the short block and heads on EBay at NO RESERVE. Check them out!

Block

Rectangular Port Heads

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

I have a #290 4 bolt block w/ threaded remote oil hole above oil filter dated H-71. Pad is stamped "CE". All my books say 2 bolt only, not so. DonE

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

I believe the 2-bolt is for production engines, not crate motors. That is the only explaination I can come up with. Colvin's books are usually right on, but everyone makes mistakes. Especially when going by the info that has been gathered thus far.


Jason

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

The 290 block was used for both 2 bolt and 4 bolt applications for the 70 model year. Our 70 L78 Marine Corps Nova has a 1972 dated 4 bolt CE motor..these really shouldn't be that rare considering how many 396 cars were made in 1970. A lot of guys blew up both the 350hp and 375hp motors..and Chevy was putting them back together "on the muscle"....not sure how many were made for just regular over the counter sales, but there must have been a decent amount. I've seen some old Berger ads where the L78 motor was one of their std. items.....


wilma

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

Wilma, Can you tell us if any of these replacement short blocks cast and assembled after the 1970 Model Year at Tonawanda had CKO stamped on them....Is this not the question still at hand.
Please educate me if I am wrong???

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

I have never seen a CKO block in a CE application...but then I haven't seen Elvis either.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

The shortblock and heads both end today. I think they are a bargain at the current price https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif.


Jason

Re: L78 396/375 HP Long Block CKO Stamping
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have never seen a CKO block in a CE application...but then I haven't seen Elvis either.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I too, have never seen a CKO motor or any other suffix in a CE application.Having said that I have owned and seen several that had a regular suffix but no serial number.I was told that these were over the counter use.The suffix letting the mechanic know what was in side of the short block without opening it up.Just my $.02