1969 L78 4:56 gear
 

Hello, new member here, I've been reading the forum for a while and just joined.
I have a 1969 Chevelle L78 4 speed originally Butternut yellow. Black top, black interior.
My build sheet has a KM code which matches the stamp on the rear for a 4.56 gear. All the sources I can find on the web point to only one 1969 Chevelle ordered with this rear end ratio. Does anyone else out there have a documented factory 4.56 rear in their car?
Thanks

Wow, I’m no Chevelle expert, but I’m anxious to hear about this question.

'

There was a Black '69 Hardtop factory 4:56 car we looked a here a few years back.
Factory 4:56 is special as some info indicates Copo 9511 was necessary for '69 model cars.
Looking forward to seeing/hearing more about your car, welcome aboard!
:beers:
~ Pete

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Jerry B. Garnet Red '69 L-78 Chevelle has a factory 4.56 rear....not a COPO.

Jerry B.
 

Yep and Jerry has the build sheet on his car.

Which transmission does this beast have?

The build sheet has a XF code crossed out and XD written in. Seems strange that they would replace an M21 with another M21 code. A friend suggested to me that perhaps it was meant to be replaced with a M22. The transmission is in the car, so I haven't been able to verify the shaft or the angle on the gearing to confirm it as an M21 or M22.
I have not driven it yet which would make it much easier to tell which trans.
Unfortunately, it no longer has the original motor. The sheet metal appears to be all original and in great shape. Surprisingly for a NJ car, it has original quarters rockers and fenders. Floors and trunk are also very good. I'll post some pictures soon.

Welcome to this site and I'll look forward to seeing pictures and hearing more about your L78.

Welcome Mark and DO TELL! Lots of pictures too! :headbang:

Sammy and his pictures :-)

Does anyone have Jerry B's ID? I would like to message him about his Chevelle 4.56 gear. Or please ask him to write to me? Thanks.

Some pics for your viewing pleasure....

That looks pretty good! Keep those pictures coming. :drool:

That's a very cool project!

The trans change was probably related to the driven gear in the trans speedo bullet. They had to get the speedo to the correct speed based on the rear ratio, the driven gear on the bullet, and whether or not a Stewart Warner reducer was needed.

Hi Mark. I am fairly sure that my 69 Chevelle Sedan Post had factory 4.56 gears. I will have to dig through my albums to see if I still have the GM docs on the car. The only reason I remember is that I was disappointed that someone had changed the gears to a highway set and I had to install the 4.56 gears as I was trying to get the car back to stock. I would be really surprised that it was that rare an option as most guys that ordered an L78 knew the car would not work without a serious gear. I remember that gear was real popular back in the day and 70% of my friends had that gear. If you had a hi revving SBC you could go for 4.88s but with a stock BBC 4.56 was about perfect. I'll get back to you if I find the paperwork. Ken

And you're looking for the VIN for your old 69 Camaro too. :)

My old 68 chevelle L78 M22 with 4.88 gears was last in Chicago. Any body see it ? Grotto blue. White buckets.

If it was a different speedo gear required because of the rear end ratio, would that have a different transmission code on the build sheet? Are there any other difference between a XF and a XD?

Any pics of this car ???

I’ll look.

I found the paperwork for my 69 Chevelle. It had a ZQ9 gear option. 4.10s I believe.

Only pics I have. M22 4:88 L78. Gagliano has seen it somewhere but who ever sees Gagliano. Was sold to Dave Simpson and then I think Mecum sold it but Simpson kept or lost all the paperwork to the cars Mecum sold. I had left a photo copy of the window sticker under the seat that I think the current owner has.

Damn...That was 30 years ago.....

Great look with those wheel covers.

Nice car!

Nice Charley,pretty sure I saw it go through MECUM,when Arlington Park race track hosted it here around 1998/99.

Mark , hi what wheel & tire package does it show on the build sheet ? I was wondering if it would have still came with SS wheels or some 15” ….

Most Muncie's used in car with 4:56 gears used a 6 tooth steel speedo drive gear and special steel driven gears.
Changing the drive gear changes the trans code and part number.

Hope this helps... Crash

Thanks Crash. That is good info.

The build sheet has the YA wheel code on it.

What is the build date of the car?

I know of a TO424 JD std bore block from eastern PA that pulled from a car in the late 70's by Watash Speed Shop in Lansdale PA

Build date was 03/07/1969
The car was sold originally from a dealer in Southern NJ and has been owned in the area its whole life, only across the Delaware river from Eastern PA. I know its a long shot but wouldn't it be cool if this was the long lost matching block? I would owe you big time L78 Fred.

Month to late

Ditto.

I would like to respond to a post in a different thread about my car.

It is posted in the Classified section of this site under ebay & other seen ads. I guess that I cannot reply there because I am not a paying member.

The post was created by scuncio and includes Pusher_Man , luzl78 ,
mockingbird812 , Charley Lillard , and 69 Post Sedan

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1589861

Only the grill is a 68 all other front end parts are 69.
Also, the build sheet and rear code stamp match and are KM 4.56
They were not gears put in by the original owner. They are factory installed and if anyone can please provide me information that there is another factory 4.56 gear option in another 69 Chevelle, I will gladly not claim it is the only 1 ordered on the RPO sheets. I have heard claims like " I know a guy" and "the Chevelle I used to have had" ...
Please send me a picture or post a picture of a rear axle stamp or build sheet with the KM codes. Thanks

Did the car sell? It's never clear on an ebay ad if the top bid actually purchased the car is why I ask. Others may be interested to know if it's still available.

The reserve was not met.

To all those asking, the car is still available.

Saw the post in the classifieds as well as the sale listings, and it begs to be asked? Why are there no pictures of the underside, the floors, the engine bay, trim tag, and most importantly, the build sheet that is constantly referenced???

I mean...if you have the original build sheet and perhaps other docs...then post them!