© ChevelleWorld © ChevelleWorld

 

1967 Chevelle Engine ID Suffix Codes

 

The engine identification code consists of the engine assembly plant, the engine assembly date, and 3 letter suffix indicating the cubic inch displacement, the horsepower rating, and generally, what type of transmission was to be installed with the engine. Manual transmissions required a bushing in the rear of the bellhousing where an automatic transmission did not. Many engine "accessories" such as the carburetor, alternators, and power steering units were not installed at the engine assembly plant but rather at the final assembly plant.

 

Engine stamp samples

 

© ChevelleWorld
1964

© ChevelleWorld
1965

© ChevelleWorld
1966

© ChevelleWorld
1967

© ChevelleWorld
1968

© ChevelleWorld
1969

© ChevelleWorld
1970

© ChevelleWorld
1971

© ChevelleWorld
1972

 

Engine Transmission Notes
Code Size HP-RPO  
BB 230-1 140 Manual-3 Heavy Duty Clutch/A.C.
BC 230-1 140 Manual-3 Heavy Duty Clutch
BL 230-1 140 Powerglide A.I.R.
BM 230-1 140 Powerglide A.C./A.I.R.
BN 230-1 140 Manual-3 Overdrive/A.I.R.
BO 230-1 140 Manual-3 A.C./A.I.R.
CA 230-1 140 Manual-3 Overdrive
CB 230-1 140 Manual-3 A.C.
CC 230-1 140 Powerglide  
CD 230-1 140 Powerglide A.C.
250 ↓        
CM 250-1 155-L22 Manual-3 Overdrive
CN 250-1 155-L22 Manual-3 A.C.
CO 250-1 155-L22 Manual-3 Overdrive/A.I.R.
CP 250-1 155-L22 Manual-3 A.C./A.I.R.
CQ 250-1 155-L22 Powerglide  
CR 250-1 155-L22 Powerglide A.C.
CS 250-1 155-L22 Powerglide A.I.R.
CT 250-1 155-L22 Powerglide A.C./A.I.R
283 ↓        
DA 283-2 195 Manual-3 Overdrive
DB 283-2 195 Manual-3/4  
DE 283-2 195 Powerglide  
DI 283-2 195 Manual-3 Overdrive/A.I.R.
DJ 283-2 195 Powerglide A.I.R.
DK 283-2 195 Manual-3/4 A.I.R.
DN 283-2 195 Manual-3 Heavy Duty Clutch
327 ↓        
EA 327-4 275-L30 Manual-3/4  
EB 327-4 275-L30 Manual-3/4 A.I.R.
EC 327-4 275-L30 Powerglide A.I.R.
EE 327-4 275-L30 Powerglide L30
EO 327-4 275-L30 Manual-3/4 Heavy Duty Clutch
327-L79 ↓        
EP 327-4 325-L79 Manual-3/4  
ER 327-4 325-L79 Manual-3/4 A.I.R.
ES 327-4 325-L79 Manual-3/4 Heavy Duty Clutch
396-L35 ↓        
ED 396-4 325-L35 Manual-3/4  
EH 396-4 325-L35 Manual-3/4 A.I.R.
EK 396-4 325-L35 Powerglide  
EM 396-4 325-L35 Powerglide A.I.R.
ET 396-4 325-L35 TH400  
EV 396-4 325-L35 TH400 A.I.R.
396-L34 ↓        
EF 396-4 350-L34 Manual-3/4 Heavy Duty Clutch
EJ 396-4 350-L34 Manual-3/4 Heavy Duty Clutch/A.I.R.
EL 396-4 350-L34 Powerglide  
EN 396-4 350-L34 Powerglide A.I.R.
EU 396-4 350-L34 TH400  
EW 396-4 350-L34 TH400 A.I.R.
396-L78 ↓        
EG* 396-4 375-L78 Manual-3/4 A.I.R.
EX 396-4 375-L78 Standard A.I.R.

* Note EG code not listed in report but EX code is.

© ChevelleWorld

© ChevelleWorld

© ChevelleWorld

According to accepted production numbers, the 396 engine installation breaks down as follows:
2-door sedan pickup L35 as an option - 2,565 (1)
2-door coupe/convertible/sedan pickup L34 350hp high performance engine - 17,176 (2)
2-door coupe/convertible/sedan pickup L78 375hp special high performance engine - 612 (3)

 

(1) While the Chevelle El Camino was NOT available in an SS 396 configuration, the L35, L34, and L78 396-cid engines were available in the Chevelle El Camino body style (both 13480 and 13680 series). It is known there were 2,565 L35 396-325hp engine options sold. Since this engine was an option in the Chevelle El Camino and standard equipment on the base SS 396 series, it is apparent that there were 2,565 Chevelle El Caminos ordered with the L35 V8 engine.

 

(2) GM Heritage Center records show 934 L34 El Caminos.

 

(3) Sources indicate there were 630 L78 engines built at the Tonawanda engine plant. Of these, 596 were coded EG for non smog (K19) use, 34 coded EX for California. GM Heritage Center records show 34 L78 El Caminos.

 

1967 396 V8 Engine Production

 

The base engine for the SS 396 series for 1967 was the L35 396-cid 325hp engine. This engine (along with the L34 and L78) was also an optional engine in the Chevelle El Camino and 2,565 L35 engines were sold. There were 63,006 SS 396 sport coupes (59,685) and convertibles (3,321) sold. There is no way to know how many of the base L35 engines were sold in SS 396 sport coupes and/or convertibles. One can only take the number of L35 options known to be sold in the Chevelle El Camino body style (2,565) and subtract that from the total number reported by Tonawanda and arrive at a number that would include Total L35 Cars and Service Engines.

 

This was the first year the TH400 automatic transmission was offered in the Chevelle series and this transmission could only be ordered if a 396 engine was ordered. This is also the first year the air injection reactor (RPO K19) was used on the L78 engine.

 

All L35 engines were equipped with a Rochester (or Carter equivalent) Quadrajet carburetor; all L34 and L78 engines were equipped with a Holley carburetor.

 

RPO hp Transmission Suffix Production Notes
L35 325 Manual ED 27,080  
L35/K19 325 Manual EH 4,172 A.I.R.
L35/M35 325 Powerglide EK 5,666  
L35/K19/M35 325 Powerglide EM 892 A.I.R.
L35/M40 325 TH400 ET 9,166  
L35/K19/M40 325 TH400 EV 2,725 A.I.R.
        49,701 Total L35 Engines
48,748 Total L35 Chevelles *
   953 Service Engines
           
L34 350 Manual EF 13,914  
L34/K19 350 Manual EJ 2,176 A.I.R.
L34/M35 350 Powerglide EL 160  
L34/K19/M35 350 Powerglide EN 18 A.I.R.
L34/M40 350 TH400 EU 1,784  
L34/K19/M40 350 TH400 EW 346 A.I.R.
        18,398 Total L34 Engines
        17,176 Total L34 Chevelles
93.4% of total L34 engine production went into Chevelles. 1,222 Service Engines
L78 375 Manual EG 596  
L78/K19 375 Manual EX 34 A.I.R.
        630 Total L78 Engines
        612 Total L78 Chevelles
97.1% of total L78 engine production went into Chevelles. 18 Service Engines
           
* 48,748 total L35 Chevelles is computed as follows:   Updated data provided by Jeff Helms
Total SS 396 Chevelles 63,006  
Less L34 engine options -16,245 931 L34s were El Caminos
Less L78 engine options -0,0578 34 L78s were El Caminos
Total L35 SS 396 46,183  
Plus L35 El Camino 02,565  
Total L35 engines 48,748  

 

© ChevelleWorld
The 375hp L78 engine was canceled early in the model year and didn't appear as an option until the March/April timeframe. Since it was not promoted only 612 buyers were lucky enough to order one. The L78 was equipped with an alumium intake manifold and a Holley carburetor #3893229. Also note the deep groove pulley on the alternator.

 

Examples of engine assembly plant ID stamped codes and engine VIN derivative stampings.