Messages

1

Originality / Re: N34 Sport Steering Wheel

« on: September 14, 2006, 04:15:14 PM »

There's my answer!  Thanks very much.

2

Originality / N34 Sport Steering Wheel

« on: September 14, 2006, 02:58:33 PM »

I've just aquired a 1969 RS SS396 with the deluxe interior package, itemized as 712 on the firewall trim tab as I recall.  The steering wheel is the base model with a simulated wood grain center section and the SS emblem in the center.
I'm aware of the RPO N34 Sport Steering Wheel and believe it to be much more astetically appealing.  I've seen some versions of this wheel with a Rosewood outer ring (where you grasp the wheel).  I may have heard that the early production ones for 1969 Camaros in late '68 had plastic outer rings until around December...then they began manufacturing the Rosewood version.  Part of the reason was to more closly match the simulated wood grain coverings of the deluxe interior's dash / console pieces.  This may just be rumor.
Was the Rosewood version of the N34 Sport Steering Wheel offered on '69 Camaros?  Or was this possibly a "Corvette-only" option of the N34?
Thanks all.

3

Decoding/Numbers / Re: "-440" vs "-272" Block for 1969 SS 396

« on: September 12, 2006, 03:22:59 PM »

Thanks very much for the reply/information.  The fact that you have a 396 (an L78) with an August '68 engine casting code seems to shoot down Mr. MacNeish's statement.  I've got a call in to him now to ask how he came about his information.  I'll keep 'ya posted (no pun intended!) after I speak with him.

4

Decoding/Numbers / "-440" vs "-272" Block for 1969 SS 396

« on: September 11, 2006, 08:09:32 PM »

I am in the process of acquiring a '69 RS SS396, 4-speed.  The Trim Plate on the firewall indicates that the car was built in Norwood during the third week of September, 1968.
The 396 cu in., 350 HP, steel crank, two-bolt main cap,  "-272", L34 engine is currently out of the car. The engine code and vehicle code were removed from the block when it was decked during a rebuild. The owner readily acknowledges that this engine is not the original one to the vehicle. 
Jerry MacNeish's book, "The Definitive 1969 Camaro Fact Book" (page 135) states the following:  Camaros manufactured between September and November of 1968 had "-440" block castings.  This was due to a surplus of "-440" blocks manufactured between February and August of 1968.  The casting of "-272" blocks in Towanda did not start until September of 1968.
Upon acquiring this vehicle, I'd like to install an L34 with the correct engine build code.  So I'd like you to confirm here that this car MUST have originally had a "-440" block installed, i.e., it is NOT POSSIBLE that this vehicle originally came with a "-272".  Assuming that is the case, I want to locate a "-440" block for installation in the vehicle.  I would assume that I should search  for a "-440" block with a engine casting date code in the June, July, August of 1968 timeframe?  Or is it possible that any "-440" block from the February through August of 1968 timeframe could have made it into this vehicle when manufactured in Norwood during the third week of September of 1968?
Thanks, all, very much for your consideration here