Do we have a real SS in the garage?

[chris69ssx11]

Hi,

We purchased a 1969 Camaro off of eBay about two months ago... from all indications it appears to be a SS after reviewing the info on CRC?
Here's the specs, vin number and cowl tag info... is this a true SS?  any help or insight would be appreciated... thanks.

Specs...
350 small block, M-21 Muncie 4-speed, 12 bolt posi, multileaf springs, power front disc with rear drum brakes, power steering, center console with factory gauges, in dash 7k tachometer w/55k RPM red line, 2" cowl induction hood, dual fuel lines (primary with vapor return).
Note: The motor has been replaced with a zz4 crate engine with aluminum angle plug heads... don't know if the original motor was a small block or big block... the car sits a little high in the front so maybe the front coils were to support a big block?

Vin number...  124379N598xxx

Cowl tag info... ST 69 12437 NOR259593BDY
                         TR 723                   59 59 PNT
                              02B                   X11

[jack92584]

Might be an ss350 but with x11 cant be a big block.
Read about x codes here http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#XnnCodes

[BULLITT65]

Did you get any documentation with the car? (p.o.p., original invoice?)

[buenymayor]

If you don't have any origianl paperwork for the car, get the partial VIN stamping off the transmssion and see if matches the last 6 digits of the VIN of the car. You might post a picture of the stamp so the experts can confirm whether or not is an origianl stamp, or restamped. If it matches your car, is an origiinal stamp, and is a Muncie, it sounds like it could be an SS.

[KurtS]

1 or 2 fuel lines?
trans code?
axle code?

[Mark]

M21's didn't come in small block SS's, sure its not just an M20?

[DT]

reinforcement plate for dual exhaust on rear driver side frame rail (in wheel well)  ?? 

[vtfb68]

 Mark,
 What kind of 4 Speeds came in SS cars?
     VT

[Mark]

Small blocks got M20's, big blocks and Z28's got M20, M21, M22 depending on axle ratios. and engine combintations.

[KurtS]

Mark,
 What kind of 4 Speeds came in SS cars?
     VT

From http://www.camaros.org/trans.shtml#4speed:
The wide-ratio Muncie M20 was available with any of the high-performance engines, except the L78 and Z28 in 67 only came with the M21. The M20 was the only 4-speed available with the SS350 and the SS396/325 hp (L35) engines.
The close-ratio M21 was available only with the SS396/350 hp (L34) engine and the solid lifter engines (Z28, L78, and COPO).
The heavy-duty M22 was limited to just the solid-lifter engines, starting in Camaros in 1968.

[BULLITT65]

Ok, what was the reasoning behind not having the M20 as an option on those? I was told on another thread that running the M20 actually gave you a lower 1st gear, to low for the big blocks, and they would just spin the tires and not be able to hook coming out of the hole?

[KurtS]

Not following.
> The wide-ratio Muncie M20 was available with any of the high-performance engines (except in 67)

[BULLITT65]

ok I get it, why was the M21 only available with specific combos then?

[JKZ27]

ok I get it, why was the M21 only available with specific combos then?

It had to do with rear axle ratio and an engine's useable RPM range.

[KurtS]

Close-ratio is better when you want to be in the power band of the engine when you shift 3-4.
More important when racing, esp road-racing.