My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Hi everyone,

Recently, I posted a topic here about the special Turbo400
transmissions used in the 396/375hp cars, COPO and other
super cars, etc.. These were CX coded. Over the weekend,
my 6 year quest for one of these babies ended successfully.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

My original CX went bye-bye a long time ago (before I owned
the car). I had been looking for another one it seems forever. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/crazy.gif

A few weeks ago, there was an eBay auction for a complete,
untouched L/78 engine out of a 69 Nova. The seller also
mentioned it came with an M40 transmission. Seems it was
removed in 1974 due to the gas crisis - remember that?

So, I contacted the seller to get all the particulars. You
know, casting numbers, dates, and the code on the THM400.
To my shock, I was told that the code was a CX. When I
came to ( passed-out ), I knew what I had to do. Much to
my dismay, the seller would not break the THM400 away from
the L/78 auction.

Also, after he found all of the casting number & date codes,
he did not update his auction. The auction did not meet
the reserve price set, so it ended. I contacted the seller,
and ended up buying it all. Mostly, because he still would
not split up the items.

So, I have a complete "JL" coded L/78 engine and the CX
coded THM400. All I wanted was the CX, so the L/78 will go
up for auction. The main reason for this post is that I
found a slight date issue that I would like to resolve.
This engine has a assembly code of T02??JL. The ?? denote
two numbers that cannot be read. I have looked very close.
The heads are late January dates, the exhaust manifolds are
mid February dates, the intake is an early January date and
the distributor is a late December (68) date. Also, the
water pump is an early January date as well. The odd thing
is that the 3955272 block is an H-13-8 date. Almost six
months before the assembly date of the engine.

What do you guys think about that? I have every confidence
that this engine is the "real deal". Any thoughts? Images
below:

Steve

http://www.freewebs.com/nuch_ss396/MVC-001F.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/nuch_ss396/MVC-003F.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/nuch_ss396/MVC-004F.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/nuch_ss396/MVC-002F1.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/nuch_ss396/MVC-002F2.JPG

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

I don't think the block is too early for that build date. In talking with jeff of Dated Components, 6 months is well within the timeframe - he has seen as much a 1 year gap to as little as 2 days.

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Steve,

I resized the 1st picture for you - will do the others in a few. Nice motor. Good luck!:






http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../MVC-001F1.jpg

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Looks like your pix are coming thru now. Were'nt the first time I looked at your listing.

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Did you happen to get the converter? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

I could use one of those CX M40s. Hope I get as lucky as you.
You GO https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Steve, from the picture that looks like the real deal. The block has been lightly decked and the month date #'s were not as deep as the others that's why you cant read them. But just at a quick glance that's the original stamp. I also have seen a few block casting and build dates stretch out that long, although they are few and far between.

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Six months is well the within acceptable range. A wider spread is always expected for a high performance big block.
Here you have a solid lifter automatic, not many made. That four bolt block may have just sat in inventory for a long time waiting for assembly.

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

Wow. Looks like enough of the partial VIN is present to figure out the VIN of the car it came in. What cars were made at the W factory? Looks like 19W42?366.

Lynn

Re: My 6 year quest for a CX coded THM400 just ended
 

[ QUOTE ]
Wow. Looks like enough of the partial VIN is present to figure out the VIN of the car it came in. What cars were made at the W factory? Looks like 19W42?366.

Lynn

[/ QUOTE ]

Willow Run, Michigan plant = Nova!