69 Camaro date codes-How close??

[GS STAGE 1]

When I got my 69, I had thoughts of a pro-charged 383, but as I started tearing the no frills 327 2bl apart, I noticed that all the #'s were matching up, and it changed my mind about the direction I wanted go with this thing. Its almost impossible for me to justify any modifications. When taking the motor apart the distributor was almost welded to the block from sitting outside with no hood in place, and I broke the thing, trying to tap it out of the block. Everything on this car appears to be original, and I'll list the #'s that I have to this point. How close should the dates be when looking for a distributor and exhaust manifold
11D car
Block         Nov 11     
altenator    Nov 2     
carb          Nov 8
intake        Nov 6
turbo 350  Nov 13
distributor  ?
rearend     ?- when purchased it had a 4.10 12 bolt posi that I sold on ebay $1000. This is the only item I really dont care about matching, already have a lincoln versailles 9" disc brake posi rear

[rich69rs]

I've heard within 6 mos is acceptable, but it seems that most folks want within 4 weeks.

That being said, both my 66 Chevelle and my 69 Camaro have 10 bolt, non posi rear ends (3.36:1 and 2.73:1 respectively) that were built in mid October of the prior year - several months ahead of final assembly of either car.

The Chevelle was my grandparents' car and has been in the family since they purchased it on March 30,1966.  It went through final assembly in Flint, MI around March 25, 1966.  I have the original paperwork and the POP.   According to the axle code, the stamped numbers on the OD of the ring gear, and the POP, the rear axle was assembled on October 27, 1965 at the Buffalo Gear and Axle Plant - 5 months ahead of final car assembly.

My 69 Camaro went through final assembly in Norwood around the 19th of January 1969.  The rear axle in it was assembled on October 18, 1968 at the Detroit Gear and Axle Plant - 3 months ahead of final car assembly.

As always, there are some exceptions to what is usually considered normal.

Also, if you are interested, I believe I have a distributor, date coded mid Nov 1968, for 327/210 hp, but for manual transmission.  I don't have any reference numbers with me, but seems like it is only the last didgit that is different in the part number stamped on the body between auto and manual trans.  Reset the centrifugal and vacuum advance and you'd be ready to go.

[GS STAGE 1]

Only reason I ask, is everything appears to be within a week of each other, and I wondered if there were some parts that had more leeway (sp?). Last week I got a 1111483 distributor off ebay that has a 8K25, would this fly???

As far as the 12 bolt BV, the previous owner had swapped rears at some point to his 69 convertible, as well as the cherry front clip that was on my car. Which brings up another question........The original radiator should be a 3 row at least with A/C, shouldn't it. Whats resting in there now is a 2 row with a radiator tag with the numbers/letters IH, OF, 5......0, and large letters of UF, I dont know what this breaks down to, but would sure like too

I also bought a 69 camaro pegleg 10 bolt last week on ebay for a $102, the owner wasn't very helpful with info.

[rich69rs]

Your "843" distributor date coded 8K25 (Nov 25, 1968) would fit right along with everything else.  Could be fine for an 11D build of the body.  What is the engine assembly datef?  Can you see the stamping on the RH pad in front of the cylinder head?  Distributor would have to be built prior to final engine assembly date.

For the radiator, see the CRG report on cooling systems at the following link:  http://www.camaros.org/coolingsystems.shtml

If I'm reading the info correctly, for a LF7 (327) HD/AC application, the radiator code for 1969 would have been ZC; part number 3017131; 3 rows;  21" core width.   The UF radiator is indicated to have multiple applications including HD / AC for L22 and L26 6 cyl engines as well as V8 LM1 and L65 applications without air.

[GS STAGE 1]

  What is the engine assembly datef?  Can you see the stamping on the RH pad in front of the cylinder head?  Distributor would have to be built prior to final engine assembly date.

This is another interesting question. V11I9FL thats it. I did find 3 digits of the vin in a very rough area near the oil filter. I couldn't even see it until I got a magnifying glass, and there it was

And Thanks for the radiator info

[rich69rs]

Your engine stamping decodes as V: Flint engine; 1119: Nov 19;  FL 327/210 Hp engine with Turbo 350 auto; 1969 application.

The following is from a posting by JohnZ:  The only accessory item installed at the engine plant was the distributor - everything else was installed on the engine dress line at the car assembly plants. There's a detailed listing of all those items in the Engine Dress Line section of my "First-Generation Camaro Assembly Process" paper on the main CRG site - click on the "CRG Reports" button at the top of the page and you'll see it listed.

Since the distributor was installed by the engine assembly plant (Flint Engine in this case), the distributor date is at least 6 days too late.  However, when it is installed, the stampings face the firewall and cannot be seen without some real effort - if at all.  Wheter it is acceptable is totally up to you.  It is the correct distributor for the engine.

[GS STAGE 1]

Actually, the distributor has a different lettering than some of the other coded parts, and is an oct25 date according to chevrolet by the #'s 65-69, the "I" was eliminated, due to confusion with the #1. So its actually 25 days to early

And thanks for the breakdown of the stamping, I knew the FL, but didn't know how to break down the other letters till you posted. I then looked in the same book and found the info. This is good stuff, I just love this #'s junk, its like putting a puzzle together

[rich69rs]

In that case you are in great shape!   Engine built on Nov 19, distributor built on Oct 25 works for me....now if I could just remember when to include or not to include the letterr I in the date coding process I'd have it made.

[GS STAGE 1]

Wow, thats great news

now if I could just remember when to include or not to include the letterr I in the date coding process I'd have it made.

Im sure you and I aren't the only to have made this mistake

[JohnZ]

In that case you are in great shape!   Engine built on Nov 19, distributor built on Oct 25 works for me....now if I could just remember when to include or not to include the letterr I in the date coding process I'd have it made.

Here's your answer to that one:

    http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#GM-InternalDateCodes

[rich69rs]

Thanks John for the reference.  Another good example of the quality info. on this site.  Always been there - I've just overlooked it.

[KurtS]

Ken,
It came with a ZC rad, per both my article and the broadcast sheet.
What was the date of the distributor that broke when you pulled it?

The carb tag is K8, Nov 68. There may be a Julian date also stamped on the carb body.

What is the alternator part # and date (as stamped)?

Thanks!

[GS STAGE 1]

Hello Kurt, I'm embarrased to say, I threw it away the first day, and never even looked. Wasn't paying attention to the numbers until a week in to tearing it apart, and I know better, having been through this with the buicks. Another item I didn't really put any thought into was the original master cylinder, I got a new one at pep boys and returned the original as a core.

The altenator reads 1100843........ 61A..........8L...2........12 volt

I'll check the carb for any other dates/codes when I get home from work. Im on my way out the door right now

[rich69rs]

The pic of your carb that you posted on the exh manifold discussion, as I recall, looked to have the p/n tag hanging from the front middle air horn bolt.

[GS STAGE 1]

Kurt.......I never even looked on the carb till you brought it up.

Rich.......I went off that tag to come up with dates originally

Here's a pic of the codes on the carb itself...........Note to self........ get rid of that crappy camera

This is how it reads 7029112............302CK8L