I have a 68 400 convert with the original 400 it came with from the factory and the phs says its a true 400 car. Date code on the block is L207. It appears to have never been removed from the car. The block has the partial vin that matches the cars vin and its not a restamp. The intake manifold is the correct casting with a date of L137. The heads are cast 15 on the center exhaust ports which from what i've researched are off a big car. The heads are date coded L067 and L197. Coincidence or could it have left the factory that way? I know the exhaust manifolds have been changed to 69 bird (casting 9796155 date J169 LH and 9796992 J258 if it matters)so the car has had a few changes but other than that its pretty much all original. Thoughts??
#15 heads were produced two years only and produced in the small valve 1.96/1.66 press in stud.
The date codes you provided are consistent with a #16 head for 1968. Your block date is L207 is December 20 1967 (for 68 model year) Your intake is dated 7 days prior to block (common date spread) and your heads are L067 and L197 which again, is consistant with your block and intake dates.
The number on the center ports...Sometimes the 6 look like a 5 and vice versa and can appear that way possibly due to rust, scale or weathering.
Is it possible those are 1968 #15 heads instead of the correct #16 head? sure. Would that engine have come that way from the factory, a resounding and firm NO...and that includes the exhaust manifolds.
One of two things. Someone along the way lost the correct #16 heads and found a set of closely dated #15 heads OR the 5 is actually a 6.
A very simple and very quick answer can be had in under 5 minutes. Take the valve cover off and look at the studs and guide plates. press in studs have their guide plates secured to head by 7/16" bolts. Large valve #16 heads, the screw in studs hold the pushrod guide plate to head.
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1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
Your dates are very, very close to my ho dates. I do have tbe 16 heads, but like banshee says the lettering on them was never the best and can be worn in areas. Post what you find!
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
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i found a set of 16's with date code L017 and have them sitting off the car waiting to go on when i get that far into it. the 16 on these heads look way different in look than the 15 thats on them. if i get a chance this weekend, i'll pop the valve cover off and see what the studs look like.
pulled the rocker covers and they are press in studs. so I guess it was just dumb luck they happen to have the same date range. the car is pretty much unmolested so it just seemed odd. Did they use the same oil deflectors on these heads as the 16's or were they different? The heads i just got don't have them and was going to switch it over to them when i put them on. Banshee my bird was built 12D. Flambeaux burgundy convert, deluxe white int, power white top, 400, 400 auto 3.08 open rear, rally gauges ps, drum brakes. still has the steel HG's on it . i had to find the hubcaps but those were pretty easy. needs correct exhaust manifolds, alt, and air cleaner and its back to fully orig. The heads i found after looking for like 10 years were dated L017. In your opinion is that "close enough" to be considered numbers correct or would something in the L137-L207 range be better?
As far as the exhaust, alternator and air cleaner.. I will check what I have. I have only 67/68 alternators and manifolds. If I dont have them, I will get you in touch with someone who does
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
