Paul S.
10-28-2018, 06:54 AM
I acquired an engine with a 69 BB Pace Car a few years ago. At first I thought that it may have been an original engine for the car until due to a listing online that denoted the "JU" code as a 1969 Camaro engine 325hp with heavy-duty clutch. I contacted a well known Camaro enthusiast and he told me that there was no such engine for a 69 Camaro. I said okay and assumed the block stamping was a fake. I sent the engine block out for a rebuild and told them to mill or deck the top as needed as I believed the block was a re-stamp.
A year later I decided to unwrap the engine and begin prepping it for paint. It was then that I noticed that the numbers on the front pad were still there after the milling. I decided to check for a vin next to the oil filter this time. It was there so I looked it up. Apparently it was built at the Tarrytown, New York GM plant in 1969 according to the vin which appears to be 19T ?37160. I don't know if there is a stamp in front of the digit 3.
In any case, I looked again at the online listings of engines and one of the sites states that they may have produced A "JU" coded 396 engine for full size cars produced at the Tarrytown plant. So far I've read that it may have been for 69 Chevy II's as a 396 with a power-glide trans. I honestly am not sure, but I'm starting to doubt that it was a re-stamp.
Of course the vin for this engine does not match my car, but I would still like to use it or sell it. Ive included quite a few close-ups of the engine pad and oil filter location for your viewing. The block is a 3955272 2-bolt that was bored .30 over. The block was casted on D25 9 (April 25,1969) as was the original crankshaft. The number on the front pad denotes an assembly date of 0512 (May 12,1969).
Please tell me your thoughts. Is it a fake or is it the real thing. Thanks, Paul
Here's the link to the photos: https://qq0u.app.link/e/xQW3YVIknR
A year later I decided to unwrap the engine and begin prepping it for paint. It was then that I noticed that the numbers on the front pad were still there after the milling. I decided to check for a vin next to the oil filter this time. It was there so I looked it up. Apparently it was built at the Tarrytown, New York GM plant in 1969 according to the vin which appears to be 19T ?37160. I don't know if there is a stamp in front of the digit 3.
In any case, I looked again at the online listings of engines and one of the sites states that they may have produced A "JU" coded 396 engine for full size cars produced at the Tarrytown plant. So far I've read that it may have been for 69 Chevy II's as a 396 with a power-glide trans. I honestly am not sure, but I'm starting to doubt that it was a re-stamp.
Of course the vin for this engine does not match my car, but I would still like to use it or sell it. Ive included quite a few close-ups of the engine pad and oil filter location for your viewing. The block is a 3955272 2-bolt that was bored .30 over. The block was casted on D25 9 (April 25,1969) as was the original crankshaft. The number on the front pad denotes an assembly date of 0512 (May 12,1969).
Please tell me your thoughts. Is it a fake or is it the real thing. Thanks, Paul
Here's the link to the photos: https://qq0u.app.link/e/xQW3YVIknR