COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

hey guys i am new here. and i have a problem that could be a bonus for someone. i stumbled across one of my 427's and discovered it is a 3963512 block, i looked for a VIN but did not find one. i saw in an older post that this might be a dealer replacement. my question is: what would this be worth? and would anyone be interested in buying it? i dragrace and would like to see this got to some use and not end up destroyed. my namis is Chris and my email is
[email protected]

contact me there as i may not be on here much. thanks.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

update. went out in the garage and had a bit of a brain fart. the number i found stamped on it it

T0908CGV

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

CGV 1970 Chevrolet 454 345 Mt LS-4

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Nasty listing notes CGV as '70 Chevrolet LS-4 454/345 w/ a stick..

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

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

are you guys sure. 4.250 is the bore it is .060 over and it is a 3963512 block. hard for me to believe this is a 454 when the bore, casting # and crank are all 427

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

and it has a H319 cast date. so how can it be a 70 454 when the cast date implies it is a 69 block and again i point out it is a 512 block

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

512 was used in '69 & '70 model year cars...cast in '69 & used in a '70 car...same 4.25 bore, someone's added the 427 crank later..

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

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Chris,

Your block was cast the last day of August 1969 - that means it was prepped for a 1970 model year car. It's assembly date is September 8th (0908) - again 1969. 512 blocks were not just used for 427s. My LS6 454 and LS5 454 both have 512 blocks cast in late 1969.

I can assure you that the gentlemen who have responded to your query in the above posts are "sure". They are some of the many knowledgeable people you will find on this site. Take their opinion to the bank - and enjoy your 454.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

ok ok. i see. but why does the cast# point to 427 and not list 454

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

you must be referencing some incomplete materials/books/documents as 512 casting 454s are quite common.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Not perfect but a couple good rules to go by when no listings are at hand;

- '70 model year & newer engines have the 3 digit suffix starting w/ a C for Cars and T for Trucks...'69 and older the 2 digit suffix w/ no C or T..

- When a Vin stamping is there count backwards from the end and the 8'th digit is the model year..


Welcome aboard Chris!.

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

--------------------
I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones!

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

thanks alot guys. well if it is a common block and not much use then using it as a race motor is not that bad then or if anyone is interested in taking it off my hands.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

PM sent.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

thanks alot guys. also, just to clarify, some of my posts may sound obnoxious but thats how i find things out. ask alot and push people to explain so Einstein here will understand.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Pete. you have a pm.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

[ QUOTE ]
ok ok. i see. but why does the cast# point to 427 and not list 454

[/ QUOTE ]

What book are you reading your numbers from?

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Nasty.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Just out of curiosity, are there any known 69 COPO Camaro with 3 letter code, e.g. CMN?

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just out of curiosity, are there any known 69 COPO Camaro with 3 letter code, e.g. CMN?

[/ QUOTE ]

No - the COPO MN code was used for the 1969 427 4 Speed combination and MO for the automatic. The use of the 3 letter code began with the 1970 model year. This included the blocks and the rears.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

[ QUOTE ]
The use of the 3 letter code began with the 1970 model year. This included the blocks and the rears.

[/ QUOTE ]
But 69 Camaro had an extended model year. The later axles were 3 digits and some BB's were too. I have a service bulletin: 400 (meaning 402) engine released for 1969 Camaro. They talk about the 3 digit BB codes. I need to scan it soon.
But I've not seen a COPO with a 3 digit code.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Kurt-

I have not heard of any 1969 Camaros with a 402 in them - have any ever been discovered as part of this extended model year?

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

Yes, but not many.

Re: COPO 3963512 block. No VIN#
 

I saw this thread and got to thinking about some big blocks I had around the shop. One is a 4 bolt 512 H-31-70. 8th mo. 1970 It is an old race car engine. Std bore and needs one sleeve. It has been decked so there is no number code. I think that makes it pretty clear, by the date code, it would have to be a 454, not 427 or a replacement block bought across the parts counter for racing or replacement. If it came in a car could it have been a real late 70 or a real early 71? I guess that depends on when the 1970 line closed for change over to 71..

Adger Smith
Adger Smith Performance Engines
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