1969 Nova Engine Code

[brownworm]

I was wondering if someone knows what the engine code for a 1969 Nova 396/375 with Alum. Heads (L89) is?

I have seen it as KE in one place. However, I have been unable to verify this with a second source. I have looked in Chevrolet by the numbers and it is not listed for a 69' Nova.

However, it is listed as KE for the 69' Camaro with 396/375 with Aluminum heads.

Oh by the way, I am new to this forum as you could tell. I have been visiting the site for sometime but just registered. So I hope all of you are patient with me. I am very interested in learning alot more about the history of the 69' Nova.

So any help would be appreciated. If anyone has another source I could look at for the engine code that would be great. Thanks.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I believe it should be 'JJ' for L89 and 'JH' for L78, the same as what is listed for the Camaro, (similar to the rear codes). The 396SHP codes are not model specific, just transmission specific, so there would not be a special code for an L89 'Nova' vs an L89 'Camaro'. Even if it was done as a COPO, the engine code would most likely still be 'JJ'. The '70 COPO LT1 Novas received engines coded as CTB and CTC representing the 360hp version of the LT1 installed in the Z28's.

We have discussed at length the possibility of an L89 Nova receiving the L78's 'JH' code. Most feel that would be illogical, especially for warranty purposes.

[jfkheat]

I saw this Nova site, http://chevynova.org/ listed earlir today. It may have some info you need.
James

[brownworm]

Thanks.

So the engine codes are not model specific. Therfore, it is possible to have a 69' Nova 396/375 A.H. with engine code Ke. As is the case for the 69' camaro w/ 396/375 A.H.

That is according to A. Colvin (Chevy by the numbers)

I quess I am a little confused with the engine codes. For example, (NOVA)- 396/375 (JH - SHP, 4-speed), (KC - 4 speed, SHP HD Clutch)

(Camaro)- 396/375 - (JJ 4-speed A.H. SHP) (KC- Manual, SHP, HD clutch) (KE - A.H., HD clutch)

You mentioned the Nova L89 with the code JJ. But this is listed as 69' Camaro.

Sorry to be a pain in the ....

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry 'bout that, I'm going from memory here and thought that the L89 code was 'JJ' - it might not be, but our belief is that an L89 Nova would have the same engine code as the L89 Camaro's.

We have heard a lot of stories of L89 Novas, but none have ever been verified with either a coded block, POP or paperwork. We believe that some were produced, just haven't found any - yet!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I checked the CRG site, thought I was going crazy!

1969 Camaro Engine Application Suffix Codes
PowerGlide/TD THM350 3- or 4-speed
A/C no-A/C A/C no-A/C A/C no-A/C
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
230ci/140HP base L6 AQ AN AR AO AP AM
230ci Export AV AT - - AU AS
250ci/155HP L22 L6 BC BB BH BD BF BE


PowerGlide THM350 3-spd 4-spd
------------- ------------- ------ ------
302ci/290HP Z28 V8 - - - DZ
307ci/200HP base V8 DC DD DA DE
327ci/210HP base V8 FK FL FJ FZ
327ci Export FT - FS FS
350ci/250HP L65 V8 HF HD HC HC
350ci/255HP LM1 V8 HR HS HQ HQ
350ci/300HP L48 V8 HE HB HA HA

THM400 3-spd 4-spd
------------- ------ ------
396ci/325HP L35 JG JB JB
396ci/350HP L34 JI JF JF
396ci/375HP L78 JL JH JH
396ci L78 w/ L89 Al heads JM JJ JJ

[Kim_Howie]

Here we go again! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[brownworm]

I appreciate all of the replies.

I just received an email from the administrator of novaresource. On that particular web site he says that there were 311 L89 nova's produced in 1969. After seeing that number it seemed to ring a bell and after further research this is also the same number of 1969 L89 Camaro's produced. Anyway, the admin. from novareasource says that his resources for the 311 L89 Nova's is very reliable and he also tells me that the engine codes for the 1969 L89 Nova with the TH400 is JM and for the manual it is KE . Has anyone seen this engine code KE and is this correct? I know you mentioned JJ, but what about KE.

[Schonyenko2]

Brown, I'm going from memory so I may be off, but I think the KE is for an L89 chevelle. The answer to the question that you're asking is,in fact, unknown. There are known L89 camaros, and chevelles that reflect the codes that you've been discussing, but, to the best of my knowledge NO documented L89 novas, from the factory, with it on the window sticker, have been found. There may have been some dealer installed, but that would not reflect on the pad code. So a definitive answer is'nt possible.
I believe there are some L89 novas out there. I doubt there were 300+. If there were I find it hard to believe none have shown up. Schonye

[Schonyenko2]

Memory sucks. KE is 69 camaro AL heads HD clutch.
Chevelle KG shp 4spd AH
KH turbo 400 shp AH
KI HD clutch shp AH

[brownworm]

Schonyenko2, Thank you for the Info.

[Kim_Howie]

Now lets think about it 311 nova's with al heads and 311 camaro's with al heads. O.K. everybody has seen a L-89 Camaro But nobody has seen a L-89 nova. Gibb built 50 Nova's and we have found 20 How come we can't find ONE of 311 Nova's with Al heads let alone a block with the right code with a W in it ??????? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

[Kim_Howie]

PLEASE CORRECT IF I"M WRONG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Kim, I've though the same thing. Theres about 70 deuces accounted for out of 175, and no confirmed L89 novas from any year. My thought, and Marlin disagrees, is that there were'nt 311. Maybe only a handful, and they used the L78 coded block and just added the heads. I agree with Marlin, that it would be unusual to not use a correct code for warranty purposes, but it might explain why no one has found a JW coded block in a nova. OR maybe there just were'nt any built. I ain't dead yet. Maybe we'll still find one, next to a unicorn. Schonye /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Stefano]

Mayor,
You might be correct but I do not subscribe to that theory. Chevy/GM wouldn't have broken their rules, procedures and guide lines just to build a few aluminum head Novas, IMHO. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[MikeA]

I agree at least one of the 311 Al. head Novas would/should have surfaced by now. Too much of a coincidence that the exact same number of Aluminum head Camaros and Novas were made. I also think that Al. head Nova should have a JJ or JM engine code. IMO. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Stefano, I agree with you about the fact that GM had codes to cover pretty much everything. They have codes for L71s, 70 L89 chevelles,ZL1s,it would be very much out of character of GM to omit a code for an L89 nova.
I also agree that one should have surfaced by now if they exist. 311 is a lot of cars, and I seem to remember that some were supposed to have been built in 68 also. So that would add even more to the possible pool.
My thought on the use of the L78 code is just that. A thought. Illogical, and improbable. Even givin the L78 code use, no original owner, or documentable cars have been found.
So, 1: should we assume the number of cars claimed by GM is wrong? 2: Why is there no code listed specifically for novas if they were built? 3: Is this an unknown nova specific occurance?. 4: Were there any ever built, and if not why were they claimed by GM to have been? Schonye

[Kim_Howie]

The 70 camaro factory assembly manual shows 454 engines in the manual but we all that didn't happen. The first BB Nova in 68 was built around May with only 3 months run time it's hard to phathom Al heads on any of the 68's. http://host.threadshosting.com/~yenko/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[copo-2]

I would also be interested to find anyone who can show proof of any factory built L-89 Novas. I have done a lot of research on the L-78's and have yet to find an L-89 that can be documented. I am not definitely saying there were none built, but like most of the rest on this board, the number 311 baffles my mind when a few have not surfaced? Another point I would like to make is the fact that Fred Gibb in 1968 had 50 of the COPO Novas built for the purpose of setting up an automatic class for NHRA dragstrips. What better way of weight reduction on these radio delete cars, and off the front end as well, would an L-89 set-up have? I know this is just a theory, but Fred would have been in a position to know of the available options? Another reason for my doubts of at least any number, remember the 50 car rule of NHRA. Check with them and see if they are allowed in stock class? Ray

[Keith Tedford]

Even the one Boss 429 Cougar was supposed to have been found according to a magazine article. There were about the same number of COPO Chevelles built as the supposed L89 Chevy IIs and look at how many of them have resurfaced. The engine codes would have been stamped in the Tonawanda engine plant. Stick shift cars came with the clutch installed and the automatics had the flex plate. This was enough to give the engines different codes. The L89 engines would also have had unique codes as well. Then again, GM did do some weird stuff so you have to be careful. I guess we'll just have to wait until some concrete documentation shows up. It would sure be frustrating knowing what you have and people not believing you. Been there.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I agree with all of you as well! 311 cars is lot of cars for 0 to have been documented, however, I personally do believe that some were produced - just not 311! I don't find it unusual that the L89 Nova application wasn't listed in the charts, the Deuce rear code isn't listed either - almost gave me a heart attack when I first bought my car http://host.threadshosting.com/~yenko/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Chevy454]

NHRA does indeed have a classification for the '69 L-89 Novas, for BOTH stock & superstock. But, if you know very much about NHRA then you know NOT to base your argument on anything they do or don't do!

And I can see both sides of the engine stamping argument. On one hand, things such as head gaskets and head bolt torques are different between the L-78 and L-89. But on the other hand, the Nova/Camaro did share rear-end codes, as Marlin stated. I would tend to think they would have used a different code, but what do I know?!

As for the *why* behind the L-89...

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/63208-yankingnova.jpg

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Rob,
I think the Nova and Camaro shared the same engine code for the L78 as well!

[Chevy454]

M:

You're right...according to Colvin, the Nova & Camaro shared engine codes from 1968-1970. So, why would they buck the trend and NOT share the L-89 engine code as well?? When you think about it, it sorta makes sense, as they're the same from subframe to the air cleaner, so nothing changes.

On a similar tangent, does this mean that any L-72 Novas made it out...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
M:

You're right...according to Colvin, the Nova & Camaro shared engine codes from 1968-1970. So, why would they buck the trend and NOT share the L-89 engine code as well?? When you think about it, it sorta makes sense, as they're the same from subframe to the air cleaner, so nothing changes.

On a similar tangent, does this mean that any L-72 Novas made it out...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I would post this over on the Pure Stock board. I am sure some of the Mopar/buick guys would get a kick out of it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[John]

...on the 1968 to 1972 nova cowl tag....is there any designation for what SIZE motor came in the car?...is it the same as on the camaro...like if it had a 375hp motor compared to a 325hp motor... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[MikeA]

Engine size was not indicated on the Nova cowl tag.

[Nova Research Project]

Yep, the Nova tag is disappointingly bare when it comes to codes. Trim, Color, Date are really about it. 1972 is the first year you can get engine info out of the VIN http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Greg

[Kim_Howie]

Nobody knows it all. Colvin's book also shows the 375 -396 68 nova with a turbo as MR code which is not right http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[Kurt S]

Different engine codes for the same engine / different car line were due to engine component differences resulting in a different engine assembly.
The L48 in a big car had center dump exhaust, in a Camaro they were log style. Hence different assemblies and different codes.
Nova and Camaro were the same platform and shared most if not all engine and axle codes.

Be curious what the Tonawanda records say for the L89 totals.