Still can't figure out what my engine was from

[Vintage Windmills]

Chevelle, camaro, lawnmower, bmw motorcycle?

Ok, its def a BBC

Info is:
T1II9CTB 12K538158 (stamped on block in front of pass cyl head)
CM8T (casting # on top of block by firewall)
8999290 (other casting # on top of block by firewall)

Awhile ago we were thinking it may be one of these:
CTB 1972 Camaro 402 240 TH LS-3 AR
CTB 1972 Chevelle 402 240 TH LS-3 AR
CTB 1972 Chevrolet 402 210 Mt LS-3 AR

Now, with the VIN stamped in (i'm assuming thats what the last set of numbers in T1II9CTB 12K538158 is), is it safe to say this wasn't from a truck? I read on this forum that trucks don't have matching #'s like cars since the VIN wasn't stamped in the block. If thats true, it must be from a 1972 Camaro or Chevelle it seems.

Also, I'm still trying to figure out the T1II9 date code, any clues, what are the I's for????

[tooter]

the first # should be a 3
3999290 1972 402 240, 2 bolt
http://www.nastyz28.com/bbcmenu.php
http://www.nastyz28.com/chevy-engine-code-stampings.php
T1119CTB
T-Tonawanda;11-november;19-19th;CTB (Maybe)

[Vintage Windmills]

Thanks Tooter, I'll check that 3 or 8 and those I's or 1's, whatever they are once more.

[JJchamp48]

Your numbers are a Partial VIN & Engine Code.
The I's should be 1's.
Vin tells you:
1 - Chevy
2 - 1972
K - car built in St Catherines, Ontario
538158 - last #'s of VIN

Engine Code tells you:
T - engine built in Tonawanda
1119 - built Nov 19th
CTB - 1972 Camaro 396 240 hp TH LS-3 AR
1972 Camaro 402 240 hp TH LS-3 AR
1972 Chevelle 402 240 hp TH LS-3 AR
1972 Chevrolet 402 210 hp Mt LS-3 AR
1972 Chevrolet 396 210 hp Mt LS-3 AR
1972 Chevelle 396 240 hp TH LS-3 AR

Block casting tells you:
72 402 240 hp, 2 bolt main with TH auto tranny (since 210 hp was manual tranny)

When there are several options for the engine code, the block casting # rules.

Don't know what the CM8T means. Anyone else know?

I have a 68 w/ orginial 327 that only has engine code, so it may be true about the trucks not having VIN stamped on engine.

Vickie

[Vintage Windmills]

So is this engine more or less desireable since its from a camaro or chevelle?
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[John Fabris]

I would suggest that you pull a valve cover and get the number off of the heads (in case they still are the original heads) and that may give you more info on what the engine came from.

As for worth more or less coming from a chevelle or camaro, who knows. Find that right person restoring one of those cars that is frothing at the mouth for a late 72 big block, you might get a little change for it.

[DANTIP]

FYI,

I agree with the info above. '72-vintage big block car engines all have "C" in the third digit from the right of the 8-digit code (yours was T1119CTB). Truck engines have a "T" in the third digit from the right (like T0123TLM). Believe it or not, my experience is truck 402's are easier to sell and bring more $ than car 402's (don't know why).

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by DANTIP

FYI,

I agree with the info above. '72-vintage big block car engines all have "C" in the third digit from the right of the 8-digit code (yours was T1119CTB). Truck engines have a "T" in the third digit from the right (like T0123TLM). Believe it or not, my experience is truck 402's are easier to sell and bring more $ than car 402's (don't know why).

Is that because the trucks had 4 bolt mains? Also maybe not having the vin on the engine makes it more versatile (can't prove its not original if used in a truck again)?

[JJchamp48]

My 69 has the 2 bolt 327, 240 hp with V1205YS engine code, and no VIN #.
Don't understand why they wouldn't put the VINs on trucks. But this is the original engine.
I think whether it's more or less desirable because it came from a car is a matter of what you want to do with it performance-wise. I would think an engine from that era camaro or chevelle would perform well but the trucks are heavier.
When checking engines lately, I've been looking at hp as a more inportant factor.
I have a 327 from a 65 Vette, unfortunately I don't have the #'s off of it as it is in the shop being built. Not sure what the factory hp is, but hoping it's more than the 327 in our other truck.

[mrein3]

FWIW...
I don't know what you're doing with this 402 but before I built my 383 I had a discussion with my machine shop guy. He is an old school guy that has been around long enough to have ordered a set of 396 heads before they were available. Long story short when I was considering a big block I brought up the 396/402. He said don't waste your time with anything smaller than a 454.

[Vintage Windmills]

Thats like saying never buy a gas when you can get a duramax. It all depends on your situation. I assume he meant if you are going BB and don't care about being period correct. The 396/402 is a great engine for being period correct in these trucks. Sure if you don't have one to start with and are looking for biggest bang for your buck go 454.

[DANTIP]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Thats like saying never buy a gas when you can get a duramax. It all depends on your situation. I assume he meant if you are going BB and don't care about being period correct. The 396/402 is a great engine for being period correct in these trucks. Sure if you don't have one to start with and are looking for biggest bang for your buck go 454.

Well Said!!