I am about to put a non-numbers matching 426 Hemi into my 1966 Belvedere II Hemi car but would like to know where this donor came from, i cant decode the engine number - help!
Date: 5-19-69
Eng ID: 7C219753

Got a photo of the partial VIN?

Thanks and I agree, still want to know where this block came from

The first "7" in the vin must be a typo. The second digit is a G, so it is out of a B-body from the St. Louis plant for sure.

Any other stampings on it? That would narrow it down some more.

64-67 Hemis lacked VIN#'s.

Speaking on 66/67 Street Hemis you would see the year code, cubic inches, assembly date, build sequence, and any other symbols denoting special opperations (OS bores, etc.) on the machined pad opposite of the distributor.

For instance a 66 Hemi engine pad might look like this:

BH 426 HP

10 14 07

Breaks down as:

B = 1966 model year install
H = Hemi Engine
426 = Cubic inches
HP = High Performance
10 = October (1965)
14 = 14th day
07 = 7th engine assembled that shift

*A 65 or 66 casting date block from a different car COULD be considered technically correct for your 66 car, but only if the block is stamped BH 426, and only if the assembly date is close to your cars Scheduled Production Date (a week or so before, or in some less common cases a few days after the date are the norm) so finding a "correct" engine with the right date and stampings is more difficult than most people think.

If you'd like to know more about your engine you'll need to post more info. The partial VIN stamping will not tell you what exact model it came from (only the body style as Barry pointed out) only where and when it was build, and what model year it may have been installed in. Most blocks cast in mid 1969 ended up in 1970 or 1971 model year cars. Look for more stampings on the oil pan rail extension and the upper pad opposite the distributor, post pics of what you find for more clues as to what you have.

Thanks for all the 66 block info, thee is a very high priced 66 Hemi block on ebay item # 150387073983. If I read the pad as you have decribed I believe it is a BH 426 with a 4-7-27 date.
My cars SPD is 4-29-66 so this block would be correct for my car?
please look at the ebay listing and give me your thoughts.

I looked at the block, it's within an acceptable range for your car, in general a bit early but acceptable. The price however, is rediculous IMO, good bare pre 69 blocks don't normally bring over 3-4K

Agree on the price its been on ebay before and never sold - who'd of guessed.
I just finished looking at every section of the 426 for additional numbers but all I have is the stamping and then 2-B's and a WT on the upper pad ny the intake.
thanks

Did you look on the underside surface of the oil pan rail extension (passenger side faces the ground when installed in a car)?

No - engine has been final assembled and as I would really like to know where it came from I also dont want to tear it down.
from the picutre you sent is there usually more than just a date in that location?

That area would be exposed after final assembly. Yes, there can be more info than the example I posted, just showing you where to look. As far as wanting to know where it came from, see my post above. If you send the Vin sequence number to Galen Govier he MIGHT have the matching cars VIN# on record if it still exists, otherwise that's as far as the trail will take you on that block.

nothing on the passenger side but the drivers side I found the following well stamped ID
NM4263570121442
The plot thickens

With a 5 19 69 cast date the motor likely came out of a 70 or 71 model car.....the confusing part is the 7 in front of the GXXXXXX. That would have to be a typo.

NM4263570121442

Per Galens White Book Break Down:

NM = (should be MN?) Marrysville assembly plant
426 = Cubic inches
3570 = 10,000 day assembly date = May 07, 1971
1214 = 1,214th engine assembled
42 = unknown

Can you post a pic?


*BTW, I would assume the "7" in the VIN sequence was a mistake and was probably confused with a "1" when the stamper grabbed it as they look pretty similar at a glance.

well there,s not too many 71 hemi cars so it may be a known car...could be worth big $$$ if the car is around dan

Quote:

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could be worth big $$$ if the car is around

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IF the car is still around

I am new to this posting stuff - I added the picture above in a previous thread