My 80 El camino supposedly has a 396 out of a 68 Chevelle. How do I verify this? How can I tell if it is the 325 HP or a 350 HP L34 or a 375 HP L78? There must be numbers somewhere on the engine.

Go here for info: http://www.mortec.com/
That will tell you what casting numbers you have at least, to be sure though you are probably going to have to pull it apart to find what's inside.............Dan

check on the very back of the block for the casting numbers and the date and for which kind of vehicle it came out of on the passenger side infront of the head there will be a small flat spot take a wire wheel and get it down to bare block there should be a sequence of numbers there when you get them post them on here and let us know

You know numbers are nice and all... but what do you really think the chances are that after 30 years all the parts inside still correlate with the numbers on the outside?

All a number will tell you is how it was built once upon a time. It is probably completely different by now.

Well then I guess the only numbers that mater is the 0-60 and 1/4 mile Ain't it?

No matter what the HP and Tq #'s are it' doesn't tell you what you getting at the wheel.

What specific reasons do you want to know this?

You are absolutely correct 80elcamino. The engine was completely rebuilt in 96 with some modifications ie. over bore, cam, push rods, etc.. My only reason to know if it is indeed a 68 out of a Chevelle is just a matter of personal curiousity. I was told it was when I bought the vehicle and I would just like to confirm if it is indeed an engine of that vintage.