1967-69 Camaro Drivetrain Decoding

1. Engine Pad Stampings
2. Block Casting Numbers
3. Transmission Codes
4. Rear Axle Numbers
5. Rear Axle Codes
6. Drivetrain Partial VIN's

Engine Pad Stampings

Engine Stamp Locations
(click on an image to expand)

1967-69 L6 Engine Stamp Location	1967-69 V8 Engine Stamp Location	Alternate 1969 V8 VIN location

The engine assembly stamp (aka, "engine code") identifies the engine assembly plant, assembly date, and engine application suffix code and was stamped by the engine plant. It is located on a machined pad on the engine block. For V8's the pad is a forward extension of the passenger-side engine block at the bottom of the forward end of the head. For L6 6-cylinder engines the pad is located on the passenger side of the block, near the forward end, and close to the distributor.

Typical Small Block Engine Pad Stamp

The format of the engine code is shown in the table below. Note that this only applies to engines intended for vehicle assembly plant use. Warranty replacement engines used a different stamping format (e.g. CE900175), as noted in the Replacement Engines FAQ. The engine pad of a block may be blank or only partially legible if the block was decked (machined to ensure the block deck is square) when the motor was rebuilt. If minimal material was removed when the block was decked, applying an acid solution may make the pad stampings more visible.

       
      fmmddaa

    where f  = engine factory code
               F for Flint (MI) Motor Facility (L6 engines) 
               V for Flint (MI) Engine Plant (V8 engines)
               T for Tonawanda (NY) Engine Plant
          mm = numeric month of year
          dd = numeric day of month
          aa = engine application suffix code (see tables
               below)

 Example: T0103EA
          For a 1968 model, this is interpreted as a
          Camaro 327ci-275HP engine with manual
          transmission assembled on January 3rd (1968)
          at the Tonawanda, NY engine assembly plant.

All 67-69 Camaro engine codes are documented in the following tables. The source for these codes were the Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletins for the given year.
 

                       Automatic     3- or 4-speed
                      Transmission   Transmission
                      A/C   no-A/C    A/C  no-A/C
                     ------ ------   ------ ------
 without K19 (smog)
230ci/140HP base L6    LF     LE       LB     LA
250ci/155HP L22 L6     FR     FM       LO     LN

 with K19 (smog)
230ci/140HP base L6    LH     LG       LD     LC
250ci/155HP L22 L6     GQ     GP       LQ     LP

                       Automatic        Manual
                      -----------     ----------
without K19 (smog)
 283ci/195HP European*    MJ              MD
 302ci/290HP Z28          --              MO
 327ci/210HP base V8      ME              MA
 327ci/275HP L30          MM              MK
 350ci/295HP L48          MU              MS

 396ci/325HP L35          MY              MW
 396ci/375HP L78          --              MQ

with K19 (smog)
 302ci/290HP Z28          --              MP
 327ci/210HP base V8      MF              MB
 327ci/275HP L30          MN              ML
 350ci/295HP L48          MV              MT

 396ci/325HP L35          MZ              MX
 396ci/375HP L78          --              MR

*only used in Camaros built at the Swiss plant

                        Automatic     3- or 4-speed
                       Transmission   Transmission
                       A/C   no-A/C    A/C  no-A/C
                      ------ ------   ------ ------
 230ci/140HP base L6    BF     BF       BD     BA
 250ci/155HP L22 L6     CR     CQ       CN     CM

                        Automatic        Manual
                       -----------     ----------
 302ci/290HP Z28           --              MO
 327ci/210HP base V8       ME              MA
 327ci/275HP L30         EE & EN*          EA
 350ci/295HP L48           MU              MS

 396ci/325HP L35           MY              MW
 396ci/350HP L34           MR              MX
 396ci/375HP L78           --              MQ
 396ci/375HP L89           --              MT

 * Engine code for L30 with TH350, used in 
   late-year 1968 TH350 test fleet

                      PowerGlide/TD      TH350       3- or 4-speed
                       A/C   no-A/C    A/C   no-A/C   A/C  no-A/C
                      ------ ------   ------ ------  ------ ------
 230ci/140HP base L6    AQ     AN       AR     AO      AP     AM
 230ci Export           AV     AT       --     --      AU     AS
 250ci/155HP L22 L6     BC     BB       BH     BD      BF     BE

                       PowerGlide        TH350       3-spd  4-spd
                      -------------   -----------    ------ ------
 307ci/200HP base V8       DC              DD          DA     DE
 327ci/210HP base V8       FK              FL          FJ     FZ
 327ci Export              FT              --             FS
 350ci/250HP L65           HF              HD             HC
 350ci/255HP LM1           HR              HS             HQ
 350ci/300HP L48           HE              HB             HA
 302ci/290HP Z28           --              --             DZ

                                         TH400          Manual
                                      -----------      --------
 396ci/325HP L35                           JG             JB  
 396ci/350HP L34                           JI             JF  
 396ci/375HP L78                           JL             JH  
 396ci L78 w/ L89 Al heads                 JM             JJ  

                                         TH400           4-spd
                                      -----------      --------
 427ci/425HP L72 COPO 9561                 MO             MN
 427ci/430HP ZL1 COPO 9560                 MM             ML


 Engine Codes Reserved for Use With MA6 Heavy-Duty Clutch 
 (none known to have been produced):
 L48 - HP,  L35 - JU,  L34 - KA,  L78 - KC,  L89 - KE

In 1970, engine application codes changed from a 2 digit to a 3 digit code by adding a prefix letter to the code. The prefix letter for passenger cars was C and the prefix letter for trucks was T. For example, the 1969 JF engine code became CJF in 1970. This change generally did not affect 1969 Camaros, but a few very late 396 cars have been observed with the 1970-style engine codes.
 

Block Casting Numbers

All 67 small blocks, with the notable exception of the SS350 block, were machined with 2.30 inch main journals. The 67 SS350 block and all 68 and later small blocks had 2.45 inch main journals. The blocks used for the 67 SS350 engine were also machined for clearance of the longer stroke of the 350 crankshaft.

• The 3970010 casting was only used during the latter half of 69 Camaro production (for 302 and 350 applications), but the block continued to be produced throughout the 1970's for 350 applications and is one of the most common engine blocks.
• The 3932388 block is sometimes noted as being 'rare', but it actually was commonly used in mid-69 production.
• The 3959512 casting was mainly used for warranty / service blocks, though it did have very limited production usage in 69 engines. It is a 4" bore block, thus could have 302, 327, or 350 applications.
• The 3970014 block had late production 69 usage in 350 engines. (It was also used in 1972-1973 applications.)

Dates
The date that the block was made is cast into the rear of the block (where the bellhousing bolts up), right behind the distributor boss. Some big blocks will have the cast date next to the engine mounts, near the freeze plugs, on the passenger (RH) side of the block.

The block casting date must always be before the engine assembly date and it is usually very close to engine assembly date. Blocks have been found that have been cast and assembled in the same day, but that is not normative. There are also blocks that have been cast and then assembled months later; again, that is not normative.

The engine assembly date must always be before the vehicle (not body) assembly date. The engine assembly date almost always is before the Fisher Body cowl tag date. In the unusual case it is later (since the Fisher Body calendar does not always line up with the normal calendar), it should be within a week of the body. Most engine assembly dates are less than 30 days before the vehicle build. Some engine assembly dates can be 30-90 days before vehicle build with the odd exception being >90 days.

"M"-Coded Blocks
There is one exception to the normal block casting date convention that has been observed: some blocks have been seen with "M" cast codes. Research by the Saginaw Metal Casting Operations of GM Powertrain Division has found that these "M" codes are not date codes, but actually a foundry code used to indentify parts that were made to evaluate a casting process change. After evaluating the parts, the blocks would either be destroyed or released into production. There is no way to determine the date an "M"-coded block was poured.
 

Transmission Numbers

All transmissions, except for the Borg-Warner H-D manual 3 speed and the TH400, follow the same transmission code format. Note that the format types shown below only apply to transmissions intended for vehicle assembly plant use. Service replacement transmissions used a different stamping format, as noted in the Replacement Transmissions FAQ.

         tymdds

 where:
   t  = transmission type
   
      MANUAL                         AUTOMATIC
 S = Saginaw 3-speed           A = 68/69 L6 Torque-Drive 
 K = McKinnon 3-speed          C = Cleveland Powerglide
 H = 69 Muncie HD 3-speed      T = Toledo Powerglide
 R = 4-speed Saginaw           B = Cleveland TH350
 P = 4-speed Muncie            X = Cleveland TH350
                               Y = Toledo TH350

   y  = model year (not calendar year)
   m  = month 
        Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
        --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
         A   B   C   D   E   H   K   M   P   R   S   T

   dd = day of month
   s  = suffix
       PowerGlide and TH350 (not used on all):
          D = day shift
          N = night shift
       1969 Muncie 3-speed
          B = 2.42 first gear ratio
       1969 Muncie 4 speed only:
          A = M20
          B = M21     Use of the Muncie type suffix
          C = M22     began with 21 Oct 68 production.
          
   Examples:

     R7S21  Saginaw 4-speed, Nov 21, 1966
     P8R01  Muncie M2x 4-speed, Oct 01, 1967
     P9T11B Muncie M21 4-speed, Dec 11, 1968
     C9D14N PowerGlide M35 2-speed auto,
            Apr 14, 1969, night shift

      Wmmdd

      W = B-W HD 3-speed (67/8)
     mm = month
     dd = day

   Example:
   W0224   B-W HD 3-speed, Feb 24

Manual transmissions have the transmission code stamped on the maincase, but the location varies with the model of transmission. Automatic transmissions (Powerglide and TH350) were stamped on the transmission oil pan. If the transmission oil pan was damaged and replaced, the new oil pan would be unstamped.

PowerGlide and TH350 Transmission Code Location Powerglide and TH350 transmissions were stamped on the passenger side of the transmission oil pan. The front of the car is toward photo right.

Muncie 4-speed Transmission Code Location Muncie 4-speed transmissions were stamped on the rear edge of the passenger side of the transmission maincase.

Saginaw 3- and 4-speed Transmission Code Location The Saginaw transmissions were stamped on the driver's side of the case, on a pad right below the side cover on the machined surface.

Muncie 3-speed Transmission Code Location The 69 H-D Muncie 3 speed manual transmission was stamped on the driver's side, right below the side cover on the machined surface.

For TH400 transmissions, a different format was used. The transmission tag was stamped with the date code, the unit's serial number, and, in large letters, the broadcast code. The date code was also stamped on the protect-o-plate at the assembly plant.

1967-1969 Camaro TH400 Transmission Tag Format

The TH400 transmission code was stamped on a metal ID plate located on the passenger side vertical surface of the transmission case. Note CX stamp on the trans case.

DATE CODE yyaddd where: yy = last two digits of the model year a = transmission application C = L35 engine E = L34 engine X = L78/L72/ZL1 engine ddd = Julian day of model year such that Jan 1 is day 366 (or 367) 69X493 = Day 127 or May 7, 1969 for L78/L72/ZL1 Camaro SERIAL NUMBER Ca-69-nnnn e.g. CX-69-3470 where: C = Chevrolet X = L78/L72/ZL1 engine 69 = model year nnnn = 4-digit production sequence number

Manual transmission cases can be identified by the casting numbers and casting dates. The table below summarizes the transmission maincase casting numbers for 67-9 Camaros applications. More 4-speed transmission information, including gear ratio and ID information, is located on the transmission page.

Rear Axle Numbers

The axle assembly stamp (a.k.a. the axle code) is located on the forward face of the passenger-side axle tube, midway the length. This stamp can be difficult to locate on an 30+ year old axle due to layers of paint, undercoating, rust, and dirt. It may be necessary to partially clean the middle third of the forward face of the passenger side axle in order to locate and discern the characters. But once you find part of the stamp, you'll know where to concentrate your efforts. A wire brush can be very helpful in the search, as can a putty knife and lacquer thinner. The approximate location is same for both 10-bolt and 12-bolt axles.

The stamp location is illustrated below, first schematically for the 12-bolt axle code in the sketch, and then in an actual photo of a 1969 10-bolt axle stamp (PG 0424G1) taken from below the driveshaft as looking toward the passenger-side leaf spring:

1967-69 Camaro Rear Axle Code Location

The format of the axle code is shown below:

             
                     aa mmdd fs
                        p

     where:
       aa = application code - two alphabetic characters
       mm = two-digit numeric month (01-12)
       dd = two-digit numeric day of month (01-31)
        f = factory plant code (alphabetic)
            G - Detroit Gear & Axle plant
        s = shift code (1 or 2)

        p = a positraction manufacturer code, when applicable,
            is added on a second line.  The posi manufacturer
            codes are D for Dana, E for Eaton, and W for
            Warner.

     Example: BL 1122 G2
            For a 68 or 69 model, this is interpreted as a
            3.07:1 axle ratio, non-posi, 12-bolt rear
            axle assembled on November 22, 67 or 68 by the  
            Detroit Gear & Axle plant, second shift.

After much research, CRG is pleased to publish a comprehensive list of 67-69 Camaro axle codes. The CRG has researched a number of axle codes that were not documented, along with better descriptions of the axle applications and compiled the information in this listing.

There were three axle center section casting numbers used for 67-69 Camaros (and all three were also used in Novas). 67, 68, and most 69 cars received either the 10-bolt 3894859 housing or 12-bolt 3894860 housing. Later 69 (after 08A) cars could have received the 12-bolt 3969341 housing.

1970 axles had a C (for car) prefix added to the axle code. Most late 69 (after 08A) axles (10 or 12 bolt) were stamped using the 1970-style code, e.g. CBT instead of just BT.

Notice that there is no specific year included in the axle assembly code. While some axles can be traced to a specific year solely on the basis of a rarely used application code, there are other axles stamped with a code that was used for multiple years. In order to trace an axle to a specific year, it is advisable to also check the carrier casting number and casting date code. The casting date is normally located on upper portion of the center section casting, as illustrated in the sketch below:

1967-69 Camaro Rear Axle Casting Date

The casting date format is normally of the following format:

             mddy
 where:
   m = month (A-L month format, see below)
  dd = 1- or 2-digit numeric day of month (1-31) 
   y = last digit of calendar year 

 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L

Rear Axle Codes

Table Key

Table Footnotes

Drivetrain Partial VIN's

Engines
For most 67-69 Camaros, the partial VIN was stamped on the engine pad near the engine assembly code. In 1967, generally only the Z28 and SS engines had the partial VIN's stamped. In 1967, this code consists of the sixth through the thirteen characters of the full VIN, e.g. 7N123456. For 1968 and on, the drivetrain partial VIN's became a federal requirement. In 1968 and 1969, the code was changed to add the first digit of the full VIN, e.g. 19N512345, per the federal law.

During the mid-1969 model year, the partial VIN for V8 engines was stamped near the oil filter, due to the '69 model year change in location of the alternator to the passenger side (covering the engine stamp pad). The block in this area is raw unmachined casting which makes this stamp difficult to see. The Norwood plant moved the VIN to the oil filter in the December 68 timeframe. Los Angeles was not as consistent and the VIN location varied during the year.  

Transmissions
The transmission was also stamped with a partial VIN. Like the engines, generally only the 67 SS (and even then not all automatics) and Z28 transmissions had the partial VIN stamped on them. All 68-69 transmissions should have the partial VIN on them. The partial VIN location varied depending on transmission type and the vehicle assembly plant. Several examples are shown below.

Powerglides and TH350's are usually VIN-stamped at the transmission mounting flange (near the engine block casting number) on Norwood-produced cars, and Los Angeles cars are usually VIN-stamped on a pad on the passenger side of the transmission. But either location could be used by either plant.

Muncie 4-speed transmissions had the VIN stamped next to the transmission code or on top of the transmission. Some Muncies have been observed stamped in both locations, or with multiple stamps in either location.

Powerglide and TH350 VIN Locations Powerglide (left) and TH350 (right) transmissions were VIN-stamped either on the forward edge of the bellhousing on the driver side or on a pad on the passenger side.

Saginaw Transmission VIN Location The Saginaw transmissions and the Muncie 3-speed had a pad on the passenger side of the maincase where the partial VIN was stamped. A Saginaw 4-speed transmission is shown.

Muncie VIN Location Muncie transmission with the VIN next to the trans code (the VIN is sometimes stamped on top of the trans).

TH400 VIN Location TH400 transmissions were VIN stamped above the pan rail on the driver side (the VIN is difficult to see with the exhaust system installed).

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