For enthusiasts chasing period-correct performance, few names carry as much weight as Chevrolet’s L78 396. This example, currently listed on eBay, is described as one of a limited group of crate engines offered by General Motors in 1965, making it an interesting piece of big-block history on its own.
According to the seller, this 396 cubic-inch V8 carries engine stamping T0722IE and is part of a claimed run of 200 L78 crate engines made available through Chevrolet dealerships. Rather than being installed at the factory in a production car, these engines were reportedly sold over the counter, giving buyers a way to add serious performance to whatever platform they chose.
This particular engine is said to have been originally purchased from Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana, California. At some point in its life, it was installed in a Ford pickup before eventually being removed and placed into storage. That kind of cross-brand use wasn’t uncommon, especially when high-performance engines like the L78 became available outside of factory installations.
The current seller acquired the engine in 2022 from the original owner’s estate. Following that, it was disassembled, rebuilt, and refinished in the familiar Chevrolet orange. While exact internal details of the rebuild aren’t outlined, the listing suggests it has been gone through and prepared for its next use.
As it sits, the engine is equipped with a Holley four-barrel double-pumper carburetor along with a chrome air cleaner. Additional components include a distributor with electronic ignition, cast-iron exhaust manifolds, and a starter motor. These details point toward a fairly complete package for someone looking to install it into a project or display it as a standalone piece.
The L78 designation is typically associated with high-performance versions of the 396, and engines like this played a role in defining the muscle car era. Even when sold as crate engines, they represented a direct link to the kind of power that enthusiasts were seeking in the mid-1960s.
Opportunities to purchase documented or claimed crate engines from this period don’t come up all that often. Whether the goal is to power a period-correct build or simply own a piece of Chevrolet performance history, this L78 396 offers a different kind of collectible compared to a complete vehicle.
For the right buyer, it’s less about what the engine is sitting in—and more about what it could become next.
More info is going to be required, to prove this is an L78. Photos of the casting number and date stamp. Also, the oil pan would need to be removed, to confirm 4 bolt mains. Also, no mention on what cam. It should have a solid cam and a Holley 4346. The seller is very vague on the motor and a lack of pics, does not instill confidence.
You are right, every part number are date code should be in the ad. I have a couple of friends that sell rare OE performance parts, one does so for a living. When they place an ad they include pictures, part numbers and dates. If you can’t or aren’t willing to verify that information the ad is generally a sales tool to get more money that the item is worth.
Steve R
Imagine how desirable this would be if it’s been in storage and never installed in that truck! With the original receipts and paperwork that it would have came with it would be a real gem
$860 now, looks like it is no reserve, seller went all out with 3 photos. Sellers feedback (1).