1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance

[elodnuges]

Kurt -  NCRS shows a build date of 2/21/69.  The car has a big block heater box cover, and a big block radiator shroud.  3/8" single fuel line with patina on the line and clips and bolts that fits the overall patina of the undercarriage.  On the PS in front of the rear wheel where the fuel line makes two 90 degree turns, there was contact with another object that bent the line at the spiral protector and dented the floor pan.  In an attempt to bend the line back so it would fit in to the 'M' shaped retaining clip, it cracked and now leaks.  I purchased a replacement line from Heartbeat City Camaro parts with new clips and bolts.  I hate to remove the original line and would probably have done a splice repair but seeing as the crack is under the spiral wire protector, have decided to replace it.  I've taken numerous detail photos of what I believe are the original line, clips and bolts and when I remove it, I'll keep the line, clips and bolts intact and store them away.

[elodnuges]

Kurt - I would think with the comparatively low production numbers for 1969 L78 and 4:10 gear set options and with the percentage of those made in Los Angeles making those numbers significantly lower, there could easily have been rear ends waiting for an L78 to come down the line.

[67pacer]

Amazing, I have Vin # 124379L524755. Mine is a Fathom Green RS / Z28. NCRS says built 2/21/1969 delivered to Ed Priester Chevrolet in Montrose, CA. These two cars traveled down the assembly line together, I wonder if they left on the same auto transport to the dealers. I found my Chassis Broadcast Sheet on the top of the gas tank. Have you checked yours

[elodnuges]

I did drop the tank but unfortunately no sheet.  The insulators and foam block were both missing as well.

[KurtS]

Bill, I was wondering if you would notice.  

Actually, most 4.10's went into Z28's. L78's got more of a range of axles - 3.55 to 4.10.
I'll be more specific: Most of the BV axles were much closer, but I see another Feb LOS car with that same date.

[elodnuges]

Kurt - Thank you for the excellent information, I appreciate it.  Sorry I missed the engine mount question.  I believe it does have the BB mounts.  Picture attached.

[cook_dw]

I would believe that this is an L78 car from what I have seen.  Also looks like the big center link too.  If it isnt then someone went in to detail changing out parts that most would not have known to change.  Just my $0.02

Question.

How was the fan shroud held on on the top?  Also what is the radiator tag say and the rad tank codes?

[elodnuges]

I agree with your appraisal.  There is a picture further back in this posting that shows the upper bracket for the radiator shroud.  The lower shroud was held in place by two clips that attach to each radiator side tank.  The car currently has power steering but I question if it's original. The power steering gear assembly date is after (but not by much) the production date of the car and also the PS brackets on the engine are not accurate to a ’69 L78.  The car has the longer steering arms (3954873 & 874) which I think are used mostly on manual steering cars.  The pitman arm is the long 5.8 (3953227) PS version.   It believe these parts are possibly a mismatch.  It seems a previous owner swapped out the manual steering box for PS along with the pitman arm and relay shaft.  I wonder if this was done for a steering ratio / feel that worked better for drag racing.  Does anyone have information on the percentage of L78 cars that came with manual steering vs power steering?  Any thoughts on my combination of steering parts?

The engine is not original; It's a 396 out of a 1969 SS Chevelle by the code on the pad, I believe.  I would be nice to try to reunite it with its original car.

[william]

Bill, I was wondering if you would notice.  

Actually, most 4.10's went into Z28's. L78's got more of a range of axles - 3.55 to 4.10.
I'll be more specific: Most of the BV axles were much closer, but I see another Feb LOS car with that same date.

Of course I noticed, nothing else to do just now!

As Kurt noted the CRG has found DT date anomalies aren't as unusual as once thought. I have the POP for a '69 L78 Camaro a bud had in the '80s. Final-assembled on or about June 10. Engine T0429JH, axle BV0506, trans P9C14. Engine was in stock about 35 calendar days, axle about 30 days, trans about 80 days. No FIFO in the plants back then.

Best DT anomaly I know of is a friends 06E '67 Z/28. Engine V0706MO, axle PU0320, trans P7H23. Has a Dec '66 42 amp alternator. All original!
 

[maroman]

Do the front springs have tags on them with the code?

[firstgenaddict]

If the power steering pulley is deep groove it is probably original. Check the rest of the pulleys as well. Deep grooves on solid lifter engines. Z, L78, COPO. 

[elodnuges]

Gents - Thank you for your input, definitely appreciate it.  I checked the radiator and there are no tags on the tank at all.  It seems to be the right size and the big block shroud fits as it should.

The springs do not have any tags but on closer inspection they seem to be a smaller wire diameter than another 69 SS 396 (350 or 325 hp, not sure as the original engine is also gone) I have.  That car still had a green tag (look dark brown before cleaning) with the P/N 3955727.  Also the springs in the L78 seem to have been heated at some time.  Even with the car on jack stands, there are two coils on each side that almost completely touch.  I don't know the dynamics of spring choice for drag racing (as I suspect the car was used for when new) but I'm thinking maybe someone installed lighter springs for better weight transfer.  It appears they also removed a leaf from the rear springs as well.  The car sits lower overall than stock.

None of the engine pulleys are deep groove but the engine and trans are not original to the car.  I believe the engine was originally in a 1969 396 / 325 HP Chevelle.  Trans is an M21.

[firstgenaddict]

Power steering pump no deep groove pulley? If it was added it makes sense... if original PS pump pulleys are not something one would normally change out.

[elodnuges]

I originally thought the relay rod (center link) was the larger diameter version and was replaced when the PS conversion occurred. Whoever did the changeover used a non-Camaro power steering pump and brackets. I measured another 69 SS 396 with PS and that relay rod diameter was 1.145”.  The relay rod in my L78 is .943” which, I believe, was used for manual steering.  I wonder which type of steering box, manual or power, was more prevalent in the 69 L78s. Thanks for the info on the pulleys.

[firstgenaddict]

Manual was more prevalent on the high po cars from my observations.