[trydon]

hi, i just picked up a 68 camaro ss 396(i think). the original #'s matching motor is gone, but the original th400 is still in it behind a 69 chevelle 396. i checked the vin and date code on the trans and it matches the car. (CA-68-XXXX) the problem is i can't find what engine the letter A is for, i know 68 is the year and C is for chevrolet. can anyone help?

thanks,

Trydon

[mmerlinn]

The 'A' is not a motor code. It designates a variety of the TH400 transmission.

The motor code would be in the VIN and/or on a plate attached to the firewall, doorpost, or wherever it was for that model and year of vehicle.

[trydon]

A should be the motor code. i know the codes for 69 are C for the L34 396, E for the L35 396, and X for ZL1/L78/L72. i don't see why 68 would be any different. also, camaro didn't say the engine in the vin or cowl tag in 68. i know the only thing the th400's came behind in 68 camaros were 396 cars, i just don't know if this is a 325hp or 350hp car, which is what the letter should stand for.

[mmerlinn]

Well, I have had the following CA codes in the past:

65 Truck (CA65-8777)
66 Unknown (CA66-2787)
67 Unknown (CA67)
68 Car (CA68-68114)
70 Unknown (70CA-5288)
71 Monte Carlo (71CA-43061)
71 Unknown (71CA-61529, 71CA-21736)
72 Unknown (72CA-31787, 72CA-43108)
73 Impala (73CA-195089)
73 Station wagon with 27 spline output (73CA-155637, 73CA-72694, 73CA-28496)
73 Truck (73CA-10277)
73 Unknown (73CA-185876, 73CA-61925, 73CA-135245, 73CA-99866, 73CA-29506)
75 Truck (75CA-10528)
78 Truck 4x4 Heavy duty (78CA-2002)

I find it very hard to believe that the 'A' is the motor code considering its appearance in such a wide range of years and applications.

Further, when I look up CA codes in my Mitchell book, it shows them being used behind various motors in the SAME model in the SAME year. Unfortunately, that book does not list any codes for your particular vehicle, just that the TH400 fits 68-74 and various other cars and trucks.

If I can remember where my 1974 Hollander book is, I will check it and see what they list.