Casting Dates, 1970 L78 Camaro

[Seattle Sam]

Just checking out the heads and block from my January 1970-built car. The block (3963854) is stamped with CKO and the VIN and is dated K4 9 (that's Nov 4, 1969 right?. Both heads (3964291) are dated F19 9. Are the July 19 heads too early to be original to the car?

Thanks for any help..
-Sam

[Mr70]

They do seem early for that car,but not impossible.
Your correct on the casting date.Do you believe those June Heads to be authentic to the block?
What is your Tonawanda engine build date before the CKO suffix?

[Seattle Sam]

Rick,
The heads are actually painted a different shade of orange, not as red as the block, showing that they have been off the car, but no reason to believe they are original one way or the other.
Tonowanda date stamp is T1219 (the Friday before Christmas).
-Sam

[Seattle Sam]

Wasn't Chevrolet still building 1969 Camaros in Norwood in July of 69?

Piston p.n. is 3969974, is that standard bore?

Thanks again..

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Hi Sam, Is that the original engine?
Where was the VIN# stamped on your engine, was it stamped on the front of the
engine or on the back by the oil filter. The 3969974 is the Original STD bore piston
for a 70/L78. The PN should be stamped on the top of the dome on the piston. The
block and head casting dates are usually within a few weeks of one another.
BTW, That’s a "Real Nice" car you have there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif
Mark L

[COPO]

My 01C build '70 L-78 Camaro has the vin by the oil filter. Don't recall off the top of my head the engine assembly date.

[Stefano]

Sam,
Did you ever get in touch with Gary Deyer? It was my understanding that he rebuilt that engine. He might be able to tell you what is original to the car. He owned and showed that car at the Vette Fest along with the "Nickey" window sticker.

[Kim_Howie]

Just got off the phone with Bill & Gary Dyer. Bill was sure it was the original motor. If you are talking about the silver car Kim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[MagicRatt]

[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't Chevrolet still building 1969 Camaros in Norwood in July of 69?

Piston p.n. is 3969974, is that standard bore?


Sam..it is my understanding that Chevrolet was building 69 Camaros right thru Dec.31 of 1969.......

Thanks again..

[/ QUOTE ]

[COPO]

I believe the first week of November '69 was the final week of production for '69 Camaros.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks Stefano and Kim.

Yes Kim it is the silver car, I plan on speaking to the Dyers for more info VERY SOON...

Thanks!!

-Sam

[Kim_Howie]

Sam, They have owned a lot of the cars people on this site now.
Red 69 Yenko Nova 3 69 yenko Chevelles 2 69 Yenko camaros 68 Gibb-Harrell 427 Nova 68 Blue Yenko camaro just to name a few http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Stefano]

Gary is one of the first guys around here to really get into the Yenkos from what I remember.

He was also a Hired Gun Drag Racer for Mr.Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge.

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Sam, Is that the original engine?
Where was the VIN# stamped on your engine, was it stamped on the front of the
engine or on the back by the oil filter. The 3969974 is the Original STD bore piston
for a 70/L78. The PN should be stamped on the top of the dome on the piston. The
block and head casting dates are usually within a few weeks of one another.
BTW, That’s a "Real Nice" car you have there. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif
Mark L

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the compliment! I'm really happy with it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
The VIN is stamped on the pad in front of the passenger head, no detectable VIN by the oil filter. This is a Norwood car, here's a picture of the stamp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/sbesser/L78%20Rebuild/vinonmotor.jpg

Thanks for the info on the pistons, it's good to know that the engine is standard bore!
-Sam http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr70]

Sam Nice Pic! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[CamarosRus]

Sam, I find it interesting how my Norwood 70 L-78 Camaro, has a VIN # 106 digits Higher than yours........and the VIN # is stamped on lower left Bellhousing Flange......yet the same production day or before your VIN # is stamped on the block deck...Go figure.....Chuck

[COPO]

That is strange as my VIN is about 1,000 lower 01C Norwood build and it is near the oil filter as well. Clearly they weren't terribly consistant.

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Sam I am curious, does your timing cover have a date code stamped on it. I found
one on mine when I disassembled the engine. My red L78 had the vin# stamped on
the front where as my Gold car is stamped by the oil filter, from what I understand if
the engine was assembled with the alternator on it was stamped on the back, without
the alternator it was stamped in the front.
Mark

[CamarosRus]

Mark, Please state the BUILD DATE and Build Location(Norwood or L.A.) of your Red 1970 Camaro L-78......
Chuck

[Seattle Sam]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam I am curious, does your timing cover have a date code stamped on it. I found
one on mine when I disassembled the engine. My red L78 had the vin# stamped on
the front where as my Gold car is stamped by the oil filter, from what I understand if
the engine was assembled with the alternator on it was stamped on the back, without
the alternator it was stamped in the front.
Mark

[/ QUOTE ]

mark,
Interestuing note about the location of the stamp. Have you heard why would some engines be assembled with the alternator, and some not? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

I'll check that timing cover for a stamp, next time I am out working on it..

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Sam hear is link that should answer some of your engine assembly questions.
Mark
http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/001245.html

[Seattle Sam]

Mark,
Great info - thanks! From what I read, my car must for some reason have had the alternator installed after the engine reached the car. But not every L78 Camaro coming down the line was configured the same way...
-Sam

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Whoops, I must have had a senior moment. The guy I sold my Red 70/L78 to informed me
the VIN# is in fact stamped on the back by the oil filter. My 71/LS3 and 70/L34 were stamped
on the front of the block. My 71/Z/28 is also stamped on the front. GM was so inconsistent
about the way did things back then. It leaves a lot of grey areas when trying to be %100
correct while restoring a First or Sec. Gen. Camaro. I would love to pick the brains of a few
assembly line workers to find out WHY they did some of the things that they did when they
assembled these cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
Mark L

[Seattle Sam]

Hi Mark,
There was no date stamped in the timing cover.
Thanks,
-Sam

[70-SS/RS-L78]

Another example of GM inconsistency, Some have it… Some don’t....
Keep us updated on your progress Sam
Mark L