Well now that I have been given the casting numbers for the engine (in pieces) I have bought with my 1970 454 4-speed project.  I have a posting in general discussion titled "missing build sheet" for my ongoing dilemma with this car I am waiting to be delivered so I can see these numbers with my own two eyes...  The block casting number is 3963512 which was supposed to be a 454 block but I've found websites with this being a 427 block of 1969 vintage. Crankshaft casting appears to be 3804815 he thinks if so it is also supposed to be a 427 crank. heads are number 3931063 closed chamber 96.4 cc  2.06 intake 1.72 exhaust   2 bolt main I might add.  Everything is pointing to be a 1969 passenger 427 335 horse engine originally.   Flywheel with car is not verified of the cast number yet. I've learned the 427 was internally balanced while 454's are externally balanced.  69 427 isn't entirely a bad thing but I was hoping to have a big block pushing 400 or better horses and 470 or better torque.  Anyone have any light to shine on my problem?  Thank you very much for any help with this deal.. 

oops




|UPDATED|3/9/2015 9:14:18 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Jim, what he has is NOT a Corvette engine. I haven't had time today to check the casting numbers listed above, but I believe the engine in question is from a full sized Chevy, possibly an Impalla.  

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Joel Adams
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Thank you!   I never said 355.   I'm sure it's a Impala or large car engine originally. Either way, I think I'm better off with a 427 built if I don't have the matching 454.  

 I'll dig out my book this evening and get the right info on the casting numbers you have posted, and post them in the morning. Just so dadgum busy lately! 

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Well, since you don't have the matching 454.......


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The 512 block was used for SOME 454 configurations, but NOT in '69, which is the date code that is stamped on it(from you previous post).

Are your sure about the crank cast #3804815? I'm not seeing it anywhere, but I do see a 3904815, as well as a 3804816 used for several applications, including 396, 402, and 427, both cast cranks.

The #3931063 heads are '69-'71 427, with 2.06" & 1.72" valves, as you state, but 100.9cc semi-closed chambered. Sort of an in-between head, from closed to open chambered....correct for the time period.
You are also correct in that the 454 engines were externally balanced, thru the flywheel and the harmonic balancer, where the 427 was internal balanced on the crank.



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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks tons..  i haven't seen the engine with my own two eyes yet. They told me the casting numbers last week, but he put a question mark past the 3804815   Could be 3904815 or even possibly 3804816?     I found a seller on Ebay with 6 427 crankshafts all steel forged for $300 each shipped.  I'm not sure whether I need a steel crank and/or different heads. A nice set of aluminum heads could be had complete for $950.00 shipped.  But I'd really rather keep the cost within a lower budget and have these heads worked some. But I'd like to be spending my money wisely also and not playing with heads that aren't worth while.  I'm told the closed chamber heads are great for low end torque. This block is not a truck block..  I love low end torque but I also want some HP too. I'd be thrilled with 430 HP and 480 torque.. But more is always better, just not too much where the costs start getting silly.   Since the car is not documented and missing the original engine and trans, I don't think it's cost effective to go into too high of a build budget. I'm definitly going in another color direction on this car. Saddle interior no doubt at all, but exterior, well not green that's for sure..