MQ Suffix Block

[bdplvx]

I was presented with an opportunity to purchase a short block with standard bore 4-bolt main with suffix code of MQ and car vin on pad. It is not a re-stamp and will provide pics tomorrow. The story I am being told is he purchased the drive train from the original owner who scrapped the east cost car due to major major rust. The car was a 69 chevelle but all my books tell me MQ suffix was camaro and nova? Is the engine worth any more money with the original cars paperwork? What would someone expect to pay for something like this?

[rare4k]

Pm sent

[bdplvx]

PM replied. Thanks!

[bdplvx]

Got the block home today and all looks good. It is a 69 copo chevelle block 427, 425hp motor. I received picture of the original car and it was not from the east coast but rather Colorado and was completely rusted out. The casting date on the block looks to be A 15 9 and the assembly date was April 10. I will not be posting the vin on the front pad until I can do some research. The bore is standard at 4.25 with original pistons, camshaft, rods and crank. A truly great find.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020391.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020397.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020392.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020386.jpg

[bdplvx]

Based on the list of 69 Yenko Inventory Copo Chevelle Vin's on this site the vin is not listed on the sheet. It is very close to two other vin numbers however. I will run the vin through the DMV tomorrow and see if anything comes up.

[69SSZL1]

I am very curious as to which camshaft is in it?

[bdplvx]

Can you tell me what the correct part number should be? I was provided the original camshaft in a separate box with the the engine.

[bdplvx]

Attached at the pictures of the end and is stamped GM 143(?) between the lobes.....

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020404.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020398.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020399.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu17/bparrishlvx/P1020389.jpg

[69SSZL1]

Camshaft is correct, #3863143, casting number stamped on end some were 3144, some were 3863144. I have an NOS one for sale right now.

[bdplvx]

Figured I would give an update as information becomes available as the story unfolds.

Today I called the DMV and was told they only keep records for the last seven years plus the current year. Plus they require you to be someone who has a right to request the information like a lien holder, bank etc. for obvious reasons. So that option is out.

Talked with the guy I bought the engine from and offered to open a joint escrow account with a certain sum of money (finder's fee) and asked if he was interested in helping. The answer was...he would do whatever he could to help. The owner of the original car is his boss and the car was last seen in a certain small town in Colorado. He bought the car in 1981 or 82 for the engine and left the car. He will be talking to him tomorrow to see how much information he remembers and will let me know. Looks like a trip to Colorado may be in the near future.

Can someone tell me if Chevrolet or anybody on the site has documentation about the COPO cars by the vin and how I may obtain?

I am really getting excited about the chase and a real opportunity to find the car...maybe intact or maybe nothing left. Either way it will be a great trip!!

[Jack_Tar]

This is just cool. I will be watching to see how this turns out.

[bdplvx]

Update:

Was able to sweet talk the lady at the DMV to confirm if the car is in the system. She confirmed indeed it is and was last registered in 1994. So between 1981/82 when the motor was pulled, someone registered the car up until 94. So now I am shifting gears to best determine the next course of action.

1) Contacted a former FBI detective who runs a Private Investigation firm and has access to national DMV records in every state. The fee is an hourly rate but feels extremely confident he will find the last registered location and contact information for the car. It may be the same person as 94 but currently I don't know who that is.
2) Have access to a "friend" that works at the DOJ and is contacting the DMV office to obtain the same info. I will let this scenario work for a few days and if no response hire the P.I.

On a side note I realize that even if I get the car and there is no paper documentation (build sheet, sales invoice, etc.) I am only relying on the block stamp to confirm the car is legit unless I can show the vin has been documented by paperwork from the dealership or someplace else. Regardless, I know what it is and am excited as heck to find it!!!!

[bdplvx]

Well been an interesting couple of days to say the least! Found the name and address of the owner who had the car last registered. Have tried everything to figure out how to find a number with no luck. So I may have to drive 16hrs. just to talk to the guy.

[bdplvx]

So what happens if I can't find the car? Do I use the motor and build a clone, hope the car is found and either negotiate the cars sale to reunite the engine/car package? Sell the engine? Wait for years of searching while the engine collects dust in the corner of my garage hoping for a great outcome. What would you do?

[olredalert]

----There are COPOs out there that have grossly incorrect motors. I would think that yours would be valuable for one of those cars with the stamping just like it is.......Bill S

----And,,,I wouldnt stamp any #s on that pad. Its great like it is!

[PeteLeathersac]

Spend the time and a few bucks now and put the hammer down aggressively searching all possibilities exhausting every avenue and conceivable approach to locate the car ASAP!
Repeat as required.
If no success, regroup and rethink your options then.


Good luck!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Keith Tedford]

Based on the date on our engine, that car would probably have been built in late July.

[Alss]

My car is a 07B build Baltimore car VIN 4018XX and engine was TO624MQ .. I have a imprint of the POP on the repair order from March 1971......when they blew the motor sky high <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif