Need Engine ID

[stantheman]

This is a weird one. Bought a 68 Chevelle yesterday. Been sitting in old man's garage for many years. Drove it home. Wow! It has a big block and the fender says 396. However, I'm not sure what the enine is. The block tage at the front of the passenger head is stamped: TI 208 IV. I can't seem to figure it out. I know the engine was built in NY on Feb 8th (I think), but what is it??? The engine at one time was painted yellow! Any ideas?

[Rank]

Stan the "IV" says its a '68 396/325 hp with a TH behind it ... prolly the original engine.

http://www.nastyz28.com/gm-chevy-cod...-suffix-14.php

[stantheman]

Outstanding! Break my heart...Do you know where I might find the partial vin number on the motor other than the plate at the front?

[Rank]

The link I posted list 'em all .... and casting numbers, etc. Give it a shot!

[Ms Grumpy]

Maybe this will help too.

http://chevelleforum.org/showthread.php?t=1988

[stantheman]

Your posting really helped. I think my problem is my car was made in Canada. The body and paint codes are:

ST68 J3637 0521372B

TR 756 J-6-3 900

I'm baffled by it. Can anyone break this down? The only thing I know about the paint is I think originally it was some form of green and the old guy I bought the car from said the car was painted in 1974 Corvette Green. I can't even find the interior code and color name though I believe it's some form of a light green maybe???

[rmvela626]

If you can post a photo of the cowl tag it would be much easier, cause it looks like there are some discrepancies with what you posted. And also, what's the engine casting # on the driver side rear pad, should be raised #s, starting with a 3 ? This would really help in identifying the engine properly. On to the cowl tag, so the '68' is the year, the 'J3637' is confusing, did you mean '13637? Because it should be the division series, and the J should be a 1, so 13637(8) tells you it's a Malibu, 2 dr. sport coupe, but NOT the Malibu SS 396. All genuine Super Sports from 1966-1968 have an "8" as the third digit of the VIN. Since it's not a super sport, I am suspecting the 396 is probably not the original "numbers matching" engine. It's not for certain, but generally non 'SS' chevelles did not come with a 396. Also, the only available engine in the 68 SS was the 396. It came as either the 325 HP "L35", the 350 HP "L34", or the 375 HP "L78". Again, if you can post a clear close-up photo of the cowl tag, it would help in decoding the interior, paint, assembly plant, etc.

[stantheman]

I will get one posted. Thank you

[RBeckman]

If its made in Canada you might be in luck as the cowl tag may have the engine and trans info as my 69 does.

[stantheman]

Here is the cowl tag. I do know the vin # does not have a letter in it as US made chevelles do.