68 yenko camaro 396 mv suffix engine

[rjpgh]

I live in Pittsburgh and recently bought a 65 corvette that had been stored for about 40 years. It is a big block car and has a 396, which was not the original motor. The engine was replaced in late 68/early 69 with another 396. The suffix code on the block is MV. As I understand it, Yenko got 396 copo Camaros from GM, removed the 396 and replaced it with a 427 short block, reusing the heads and intakes that came with the car. He then sold the 396 short blocks via advertising in the paper (Pittsburgh Press). The engine suffix code of MV was dedicated soley to these Yenko copo cars. According to my block stamping the short block I have was built on feb 23 in 68 (T0223MV)and the VIN corresponds to that of 68 Yenko Camaro 8008, which according to records was supplied to Jay Kline chevy in Minneapolis. I am looking to sell this engine and wondered what it might be worth and if anyone was interested. It currently has 3872702 heads and a 3866948 manifold. In the 70's I belonged to a corvette club started by Don Yenko, Donna Mae Mimms and Edwin Meyers (drove Gulf oil vette). Thanks.

[Craig_Maiorana]

No kidding ... I know where 8008 is

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Interesting that this just came up.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/659418/re-looking-for-information-on-

[Craig_Maiorana]

Yeah I have been trying to get some outsider info on the car. My boss owns it, but for my own sake I wanted to learn what others know about it. I will have to have a word with him next week and see if this is something he wants to pursue

[rjpgh]

the vin code stamped on the engine I have is 18N413665.

[rjpgh]

craig

I plan to remove the heads on the MV engine and have a look at the engine internals to confirm that the pistons/crank etc. match those that would have been present in a 68 Yenko copo motor. I can also take some photos to send to you if you are interested. I am trying to seek out some "knowledgeable" Camaro people in my area to see what they think. In addition, I am trying to contact a person that worked for Yenko Chevrolet when it was in Canonsburg, PA to see if he can provide some info or names of others associated with Yenko that might be worth talking to.

[markus37]

Call Warren Dernoshek in Canonsburg at 724-941-9765

[Charley Lillard]

I would suggest taking a bunch of pics before you take it apart and posting them here. Also post pics when apart.

[rjpgh]

Thanks for the suggestion Charley. I will do that. I also have a call in to the guy Markus 37 suggested.

[cook_dw]

Are you sure the suffix code is MV??

[luzl78]

MY is 325 hp. MQ is 375hp. MT is 375hp with aluminum heads (l89). MR is 350hp auto. MX. Is 325hp manual. MW is 350hp manual

[SS427]

It has always been my understanding that all 1968 COPO 9737 cars were shipped with the unique MV Suffix coded 396 L78 engines installed with the plans for Yenko to transplant the 427/425 hp L72 short blocks reusing many of the 396 bolt on accessory parts. However, not all the cars were converted and some were sold or dealer traded with their MV coded L78's still inplace.

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It has always been my understanding that all 1968 COPO 9737 cars were shipped with the unique MV Suffix coded 396 L78 engines installed with the plans for Yenko to transplant the 427/425 hp L72 short blocks reusing many of the 396 bolt on accessory parts. However, not all the cars were converted and some were sold or dealer traded with their MV coded L78's still inplace. </div></div>

Excuse my lack of knowledge - just trying to learn more here....

So then in these transplant situations did the transplanted 427/425 get a VIN stamp matching the car it was installed in or were they &quot;CE&quot; blocks? If the original born with VIN stamped 396 was kept by the dealership and then re-sold or re-installed in something else later, it could be very likely that there are several instances around where the born with VIN stamped 396 from the original car surfaces much later on.

Thanks for shedding light on this topic.

[cook_dw]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It has always been my understanding that all 1968 COPO 9737 cars were shipped with the unique MV Suffix coded 396 L78 engines installed with the plans for Yenko to transplant the 427/425 hp L72 short blocks reusing many of the 396 bolt on accessory parts. However, not all the cars were converted and some were sold or dealer traded with their MV coded L78's still inplace. </div></div>

Im aware of the suffix MV.. I just wanted to make dang sure it is MV as they are so rare and very rarely seen.. Amazing if it is.. Waiting patiently on pics.. http://pics.nashgorod.ru/forum/images/smilies/!78.gif

[rjpgh]

here is a picture of the engine stamping http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-20082-46850-65vettemotor_114.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-20082-46851-65vettemotor_110.jpg

[rjpgh]

more pictures http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-20082-46852-65vettemotor_119.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/07/full-20082-46853-65vettemotor_110.jpg

[bkhpah]

I have one of the Yenko COPO MV blocks in my stash of Yenko goodies.. BKH

[enio45]

My 68 non converted yenko car has the protecto plate indicating the
MV coded engine

Yes these mv short blocks could show up anywhere.

[cook_dw]

Very cool...

[L78racer]

why the different suffix? same everything as MQ L78?
could it have been that if after one of these MV's got sold by the dealership, that law enforcement could determine that it was not a stolen engine if found in say a '55 Chevy that was under their radar?

[cook_dw]

Could you tell me the casting date on the block please?

[enio45]

Supposedly the same short block - as MQ

But the copo cars had a special trim tag and we believe the stamp MV was solely for tracking purposes for the 68 COPO.

[enio45]

Brian - which vin is on the MV motor that you have?

[bkhpah]

I think 8005. I would have to dig it out

[iluv69s]

Cool !!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: L78racer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why the different suffix? same everything as MQ L78?
could it have been that if after one of these MV's got sold by the dealership, that law enforcement could determine that it was not a stolen engine if found in say a '55 Chevy that was under their radar? </div></div>

I don't think that was the reason, I believe they were coded differently for 'export' with a special carb as part of the 'Excalibur' project...

[enio45]

Marlin,

I never heard of the Excalibur project - tell me more

yes the export makes sense as it went with the so called export trim tag......

[firstgenaddict]

I had also heard that the carbs were different and if I am not mistaken this would be the way a different carb would be allowed in stock class racing by sanctioning bodies.

[cook_dw]

I hadn't heard different carbs.. That's a new one on me..


Eddie does yours still have the original carb?

[bkhpah]

I have also heard a carb change..BKH

[enio45]

same here - heard and read that as well ref the carb

no i do not have the orig carb....ultimately i ended using the L78 carb for my resto

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry, I don't have my notes with me, the Excalibur Project was the internal GM code name for the prework they were doing in order to accept the L72 COPO request into the '69 Camaros. The rumor was that one of the '68 Yenko Camaros was actually a factory installed 427 car, sort of a Pilot car - has a special plate in the door jamb. IIRC, the car is white, red gut, sold new at Branine Chev in Mulvane or Winfield, KS. However, the rumor and the plate have never been fully confirmed since the Excalibur paperwork doesn't have a VIN on it, but it does indicate something about a carb change and export....

'68 Yenko Camaro with special tag (http://corvettes-musclecars.com/gallery2/v/69+PhaseIII/1968+Yenko+SS+Camaro+427+COPO+9737/68YenkoCamaroDragCarTag.jpg.html)

[cook_dw]

Too bad there are no current Hi Res photos

[enio45]

Marlin - thanks for the info - yes forgot about that car......still in kevin's collection?

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Yes, Kevin still owns that car as far as I know.

[JoeC]

There are a lot of unanswered questions on the 1968 Yenkos

The Magic Mirror tag was a standard Chevy tag used on many cars before 1968.
It was not just an export tag. It was used on special order 1968 Camaros including Yenko COPO9737, used on some export 68 Camaros, and used on some non Yenko, non export Special Order 68 Camaros.

I think there were special steps taken by Chevy and Don Yenko make the 1968 427 Camaro legal for NHRA Super Stock. If it were accepted , they would have had to prove that 50 were built and the MV code would prove there were special COPOs built along with a vin list from Yenko.

There are a few surviving documents between Chevy, NHRA, and Yenko, showing the attempt to get the 68s approved.

[rjpgh]

I finally got the MV motor apart and here are some numbers:

crank 6223
cam is solid lifter with only &quot;J&quot; stamped on the end
pistons are domed #3881456 (hard to see)
main bearing caps have cast number of 964
took off main cap #2 and bearing was marked GMM420 324E7 0006
rods are &quot;bump&quot; rods with 3/8 bolts
pushrods are 3/8 diameter
cam sprocket 3856356 with nylon teeth ring
dampener 880 060 GM13
oil filter mounting flange (canister type) 3915164
bores are pristine with absolutely no ridge and measure 4.092 to 4.094

engine internals look very good, probably since the car it came out of sat for many years.

[Charley Lillard]

What is the bore ?

[cook_dw]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the bore ? </div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rjpgh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
bores are pristine with absolutely no ridge and measure 4.092 to 4.094
</div></div>

[rjpgh]

the bores are the cylinder diameters (4.092 to 4.094)

[Kurt S]

I think that 3 or 4 of these blocks have surfaced.

[enio45]

soon, what happened to this MV motor......did it reunite with the orig car?

[Craig_Maiorana]

Just for everyone's info we did receive the engine. It is now owned by the same owner of the correct car. As far as what happens next is anyone's guess. The car is in need of a restoration and I think it would be cool to see the engine displayed with the freshly restored car.

[enio45]

Thanks for the update - wise decision

[BobSek]

I live about 20 miles from the old Yenko dealership and bought one of those L78 short blocks back then for $250. They were advertised in the Pittsburgh Press. Put it in a 67 Chevelle SS that I had cracked a cylinder in. After driving a few miles it started rapping. After talking with Don Yenko he agreed to put another short block in for $250. (He told me I should have plasti-gauged the bearings as one rod was over tightened from the factory) (Eventually traded it for a 427.) No idea where it ended up. Was built up with an L88 cam, pushrods and notched pistons

[markinnaples]

I live about 20 miles from the old Yenko dealership and bought one of those L78 short blocks back then for $250. They were advertised in the Pittsburgh Press. Put it in a 67 Chevelle SS that I had cracked a cylinder in. After driving a few miles it started rapping. After talking with Don Yenko he agreed to put another short block in for $250. (He told me I should have plasti-gauged the bearings as one rod was over tightened from the factory) (Eventually traded it for a 427.) No idea where it ended up. Was built up with an L88 cam, pushrods and notched pistons

I'm originally from Pgh too; what was your Chevelle like? I'm from the south hills area, Baldwin/Whitehall - South Park. Yourself?

[BobSek]

Mon Valley (Charleroi) Car was Mountain Green / Black bench 4 spd gauges-325hp ordered in and delivered at Matway on 51 (now Harper) I remember there being 3 375 cars sitting there when we picked mine up

[markinnaples]

Ah, cool. I remember Matway. You may know my brother in law as he's from Charleroi and his family owned the Isaly's there, Tim Jackson. He and my sister own a farm in Allenport now.

[BobSek]

Do not know him but remember Isaly's well.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

I posted Yenko's 08/68 Pittsburg Press L78 Short Block Ad in the other thread but some still available 06/69 as below Ad.
This Ad was long/skinny as @ left also as posted previously in the Old Newspapers thread but new format won't let me stick two pics together anymore so Ad cut in half for expanded view, note ZL1 engine and Atlas Rims also other cool parts.
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[markinnaples]

"Swinging all pickups..." LOL, wonder if this ad was placed over the phone and someone's accent got in the way, lol.

[JoeC]

That was Don's own design for a swinging oil pump pickup that would stay in the oil during hard cornering.

Don said he should have got a patent on it because his design was copied by major manufactures