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stamped...block...N392238CAL. The car's VIN is 444375Z110871.
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I'm stumped. I haven't seen an engine stamping in that format.
The '5Z' in the VIN means it was built at the Fremont, California assembly plant in 1965.
Normally, the engine stamp would be the same last 8 digits, 5Z110871, a partial match to to VIN.
Earlier engines (pre '64 or '63?) didn't use that convention.
I looked around and saw some info posted by Sean Smith which mentioned Canada engines.
https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/vin.336848/#post-2836509Normally, the first letter is the engine code (to '64). A suffix such as 'L' = low compression. In your case there's a 'CAL' which could be California emissions.
From another of Sean's posts:
>>>
B254918L
B = 401 V8, 2 bbl carb from 4400 series (LeSabre)
254918 = sequential number, range was about 248,977 to 263,360 for 1963
L = Low compression, this should be the same as the JS production code engines in the US
<<<
And:
>>>
There is a also Canadian manual for the 1965 fullsize cars which has info on the 401 and 425.
385690416
38 = 401 V8
5 = 1965
690416 = sequential number starting a 690001 for 401 V8
<<<
Do you know if this car was always in the US?
I see there's a bellhousing. If it's a 4 speed, sometimes the VIN is stamped on the tailhousing or support plate.
The '914' cylinder head castings were used 63-66.
There's a block casting number behind the distributor.
And the crankshaft was different at the flexplate/flywheel flange before 1964.
This is quite a mystery!