ZL-1 engine questions

[black69]

I purchased a ZL-1 long block from a person I trust yesterday, he is not a camaro guy, he has had this engine sitting for 30 yrs . Until I get it home, I was wondering if anyone could help me. He said its got a series of numbers (all in a row)stamped in the back area of the block. He said it looked like it could be a VIN, but I thought it was supposed to be in the front on the pad. The front pad is blank.

Where is the best reference to find out what the types of stampings that were used on these 69 blocks until I get this home? He said he got it out of a camaro a long time ago.

[x77-69z28]

the vin would be stamped above the oil filter. the back of the engine would have a casting number. the assembly date would be stamped on the front pad unless the block was decked.

[69 Post Sedan]

It would look something like this:

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn2/brkyard/Parts/COPO-CleanedSideViewVIN-1-Copy-1.jpg

[black69]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x77-69z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the vin would be stamped above the oil filter. the back of the engine would have a casting number. the assembly date would be stamped on the front pad unless the block was decked.</div></div>

Thanks, what suprised me last night was when he saw some numbers he never saw before (stamped not cast), right after we reviewed the aspects of the casting number and the small 2. He saw something on the back area of the block and I said I will check that out when it gets home and do some research, and then he discussed how there were oil line hookups used for a dry sump (I think). So he was in that oil filter area when he was looking I imagine now when he saw the numbers. I thought maybe it will be some rebuilder codes or something.

[x77-69z28]

could be a rebuilder number. that is not nearly as cool as finding a vin on the block!

[William]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x77-69z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the vin would be stamped above the oil filter. the back of the engine would have a casting number. the assembly date would be stamped on the front pad unless the block was decked. </div></div>

Not all ZL-1s had the partial VIN at the oil filter.

In those days steel main caps could not be fully processed with the block. They and the block were stamped with a sequence number to ensure they were assembled to the same block. The block was stamped center rear.


http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt65/JJZ109/ZL152stamp.jpg

[x77-69z28]

ya learn something everyday!

[William]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x77-69z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ya learn something everyday! </div></div>

Maybe not every day but often enough if it involves a '69 Camaro. I recently received some rare dealer pricing info. It states that as of June 6, 1969 a Z/28 could no longer be ordered with a 4.10 rear axle. News to me...

[x77-69z28]

never heard that before

[iluv69s]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: William</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x77-69z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ya learn something everyday! </div></div>

Maybe not every day but often enough if it involves a '69 Camaro. I recently received some rare dealer pricing info. It states that as of June 6, 1969 a Z/28 could no longer be ordered with a 4.10 rear axle. News to me...</div></div>

that is surprising...so,there are no documented Zs with 4.10 gears after June?? I owned a 69 Z with 4.10 gears a few years..Ill have to check the build date from my old pics...

[William]

Not quite. It states as of June 6 Chevrolet would no longer accept a dealer order for a Z/28 with a 4.10 axle. The order lead time was about 4 weeks. So 07A and later builds would have nothing numerically higher than 3.73. That's around VIN N665xxx.

Must have been too many splattered 302s with 4.10 axles. Didn't stop it though as a salesman friend fried the engine in his '69 Z/28 demo with 3.73s.

[Kurt S]

Strange to believe, but the data backs it up. No late Z's with 4.10's.

[black69]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: William</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: x77-69z28</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the vin would be stamped above the oil filter. the back of the engine would have a casting number. the assembly date would be stamped on the front pad unless the block was decked. </div></div>

Not all ZL-1s had the partial VIN at the oil filter.

In those days steel main caps could not be fully processed with the block. They and the block were stamped with a sequence number to ensure they were assembled to the same block. The block was stamped center rear.


http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt65/JJZ109/ZL152stamp.jpg </div></div>
I talked with the guy I bought the engine from, and he said the numbers he saw were on the opposite side of the casting number in the back (top). He said he did not look over by the oil filter. He said it looked like a nice row of fine numbers, so I bet it was a sequence. This engine did come out of a town that took delivery of a 69 ZL1 in colorado, so who knows. can't wait to get it home.