I think i found a COPO engine Weird suffix
 

Hi,I posted this in the Impala net and they tell me i possibly have a COPO motor any help would be appreciated.

Hi,all I purchased an engine recently 1968 cast# 3935440 It has a really weird suffix T0419I5 yea a 5 and the vin# 18D166508 I see broach marks in the picture on the deck pad so i believe it was a factory stamp.
I believe the D in the vin is Doraville GA internet says Impala was building cars there from 65-70
my info could be incorrect so any help would be appreciated..
Thanks 964IMPALA
One of the Replys i got from Impala.net forum
photo attached..

I was really stumped on this one and I toyed around with the idea that maybe the 5 meant an "S" (I also equals 1 sometimes for an example), but the IS was a '68 427. Your Casting Number also proved it to be 396. Anyway, I was just about to give up and I found this:

Drivetrain Decoding |

You very well may have a COPO Engine.

any help would be appreciated...thanks

1968ss.com/bbcsuffix

IS shows as 1968 427 385 horsepower full size Chevrolet.

That doesn't prove it is a COPO though.

John,this is not a 427 its a 396 the 15 suffix shows it as a COPO MOTOR go to the link here they provided me
Drivetrain Decoding |

396ci COPO 9627 (I5, JB)


This is from the link sent to me over at the Impala forum the 5th line down shows it.


396ci/325HP L35 IG IV IA

396ci Police IN IF IK

396ci COPO 9565 (313HP) IY? IW --
396ci COPO 9559 (IZ, I2, I3, I4)

396ci COPO 9627 (I5, JB)

427ci/385HP L36 -- IJ IH

427ci L36 SS427? -- IS IE

427ci L36 COPO 9626 (I6, I8)

427ci/425HP L72 -- --
ID * Engine code for L73 and L30 with TH350, used in late-year 1968 TH350 test fleet

'


I don't believe Copo 9627 was a performance Copo # and more likely a fleet specific transmission and/or rear axle application?
Some listings note '67 Camaro Suffix FB w/ Copo 9627 which was a 250ci 6-Cyl. so again unlikely anything to do w/ performance?
Best always keep in mind Chevrolet's Copo system has been in place since 1958 or earlier and used multiple times more for fleet orders than performance applications...so, lots of parts to be found from Copo Taxis/Bell Telephone trucks etc.
Welcome aboard!
:beers:
~ Pete




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X2

Just courious, is it a Factory 4 bolt block? Or 2? Thanks Rob

Rob,I don't know that I just bought the 2 motors yesterday still on my trailer i had shoulder surgery a week ago so will be a few wekks til i get them out.

My goal was to get a 1970 396/375hp CE Motor from a Camaro buddy of mine and i seen the Impala motor thought i can put it in my 65 el camino So i got it too, then i seen that weird I5 suffix and had to find out what it is,
the Impala forum i posted it on sent me to this site Drivetrain Decoding |
which lists the suffix I5 until now i never knew a suffix with a number existed

Take a pic of the side of the block above oil filter.

Darrell,you wanna see the plug size? or see if a vin#or date code?
be a little more specific

Plug size

Looks like it might have later truck peanut port heads on it. The 12 point timing chain cover bolts tell me that someone has been in it before.

I'm betting it's a cop car engine.

In the past week i was doing some various COPO searches and on one hit a guy had some old documents pertaining to COPO codes. Said most all were auto fleet , truck and truck fleet oriented - as others have already stated.

Point being - if i can find that hit again - maybe can link you to that poster on that website. It was one of the 3 main Camaro based sites , iirc.
9627 holds your answer.

Most likely a 4 door taxi , station wagon taxi , station wagon hearse or ambulance conversion .... that type of thing. Since its listed with full-size car codes.

Hey 964Impala , sending you a PM with contact source to a member on this site who has the 1967-1974 GM COPO Catalogue. Hopefully he can assist you with the 9627 code.

Let us know if you find out anything. :biggthumpup:

Back in the early 70's, my brother spun the bearings on the 396 in his 69 SS Chevelle. He went to an engine exchange in Cleveland and bought a 427 out of a wrecked 68 Chevrolet Cleveland Police car. I just checked with him and it had an IS code on it. I've also seen multiple times where Tonawanda used a number in place of a letter, so I'm betting your I5 is an IS engine. By the way, it was a two bolt main car that he couldn't destroy. He and the next three owners tried, but that engine never failed.

Phil W.

Cool story Woj - the fact that your brother remembers the engine code from 40+ years ago......priceless!!