hey guys i just bought 69 350 rocket. need some insight about the motor an who has one any tips too look out for.. it's engine code 395558 2 with #8 X heads, also what carb should i go with 600 750 ?

 

How do you know it's a 69? Did you get the stamping off the block below #1 spark plug?
I ask because #8 heads are 73-76 heads and 69 heads should be #5.

 

well the 395558 2 is above the waterpump an not sure if about to stamp but they could have just switched heads? on the back of the block it says 2 an F i think if that helps any the intake has #10 not sure what that means

 

That casting number behind the water pump is the same from 1968-1976 so that is no help. What I'm talking about is a machined pad that is located on the side of the block below the head under #1 spark plug.
The stamping you are looking for will look something like this:
39MXXXXXX

3 = Oldsmobile
9 = model year (early 350s 8,9,0,1,2,3,4,5,6 in that order)
M = production facility (Lansing in this case)
XXXXXX = last 6 of the VIN from the car the engine came out of

If per chance the pad is blank then you have a warranty block that was never stamped by the mechanic that replaced it and should have been and thus no way to prove what year the block actually is.

 

ok this is what i got kinda hard to see but 38M45783 couldnt see the last number

 

If that second digit is in fact an "8" and not a "9", then it's a '68 block.

 

Are you sure the second digit is an 8 and not a 3 (which would indicate 1973)? If it's really an 8, the heads have been swapped at some point.

 

yep it's an 8 see that clear an prolly heads just switched .. what's wrong with the #8's?

 

Much larger chambers with resulting lower compression. If this 1968 block was a high compression motor with shallow dishes in the pistons, someone may have installed the no. 8 heads to lower compression so it would run on current gasoline.

 

ohhh....that could be then the motor rebuilt but not sure with anything what cam, pistons, the guy i bought it from his friend had it built