Rebuilt L-78 396-375 hp 1969

[Nova Research Project]

CamarosRus;

I am curious. What is teh date code for your example CKO block shown above?

Thanks,
Greg

[WILMASBOYL78]

I'm with Sully. Never saw an L78 Nova VIN on the block near the oil filter.(and I have looked at few) And by the way Rod, I see you just joined and it seems like you set up shop. Is this a business or hobby program with all the items for sale??

wilma

[CamarosRus]

Everyone, The Longblock above that I show VIN stamping on was assembled T0912CKO.......BUT here's the deal on the VIN stamp.....What I report as a W really doesnt show.....The LETTER(??) didnt strike the block as the NUMBERS did.
After writing Mark Meekins I received back a letter on Jan 28, 1998. In part he wrote.........

" Without a letter code in the VIN there is NO way to tell what the original application was. The one problem usually encountered when the VIN is struck on the bellhousing boss is the loss of characters or what appears as partial digets.
....................
The proximity of month closest to the assembly date of the engine, T0912CKO could make this a Nova engine( Sept VIN)or a Chevelle engine(November and Decemeber VINs). Of course, it could have also been used in January built Chevelles, but these are slim as the LS6 was geared up for production in mid to late Decemeber(actual date is unknown).
The Chevelle VIN for March is out of the question. I know this doesnt clear up your mystery, but I hope it gives you some insights.

Sincerely, Mark Meekins "

His letter gives other info about what months that VIN could have been used on Chevelle and he says that only month it could have been in a Nova was Sept 1969.....

If you guys know better about my eng I APOLOGIZE for misstating the truth. If it matters I can scan and display entire Meekins letter
regards, Chuck Sharin

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

Actually I think I ran across this guys add somewhere while searching the web and thought some of you might have needed what he had for sale. Being a lot of you guys are looking for special date coded HP engines and parts, so I invited him to go to this site and check it out to see if anyone was looking for what he had.It sounds a little rude to me to ask the guy if he just set up shop.That would make me feel not welcome,I feel bad for the guy now because I invited him to come here.Should I not invite anyone else or let you guys know if I run across something you might need.If so just tell me.I am not for sure this is the same guy that I ran across but it very well may be.Is this site just for members only now.

Bobby Dodson

[WILMASBOYL78]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually I think I ran across this guys add somewhere while searching the web and thought some of you might have needed what he had for sale. Being a lot of you guys are looking for special date coded HP engines and parts, so I invited him to go to this site and check it out to see if anyone was looking for what he had.It sounds a little rude to me to ask the guy if he just set up shop.That would make me feel not welcome,I feel bad for the guy now because I invited him to come here.Should I not invite anyone else or let you guys know if I run across something you might need.If so just tell me.I am not for sure this is the same guy that I ran across but it very well may be.Is this site just for members only now.

Bobby Dodson

[/ QUOTE ]

Our hobby has changed dramatically in the last few years and I feel the right to question all newcomers who show up with a laundry list of items for sale. This isn't disrespect, it is simply common sense and good business. Many of the members here actively look for hi-performance parts and accessories every day to finish their "dream " projects. We have every right to question and analyze sources and information that are displayed on this site. The "real" cars and the "real" parts will always be sold by the "real" people, everytime!

wilma

[Belair62]

Bobby..I think it was an innocent question....RodBBC came out of nowhwere and posted a bunch of stuff...so people were just wondering what happened.Glad you invited him...he'll settle in.He's pretty close to me.Someday we may just hook up.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

No problem,Just struck me as being a little negative.I can understand concerns about new people.I actually only ran across an add for the 396/375 and have noticed that a lot of members are always looking for those type of cars and parts.So I e mailed that person and told them to come to this site to see if anyone was interested.I was not aware of all the other stuff he had for sale.I would be curious to of someone new that posted a lot of items for sale

Thanks Belaire

Bobby Dodson

[Mr70]

Chuck
I'm curious,what is the Casting Date of your engine block shown?

It is possible it could be a 1970 Chevelle/El Camino application,if not an actual "W".
Only Chevelle/El Camino plant possibilities:
B-Baltimore plant December 1969.
K-Kansas plant November 1969.
L-Van Nuys plant September/October 1969.I favor this plant,as I have seen more Van Nuys built cars,stamp the VIN# by the oil filter then the other two mentioned.

Rick

Rick it would be very unlikely (read..have yet to see a car I thought was righteous) that the Baltimore plant stamped the VIN by the oil filter for a 1970 Chevelle application. The timeline of the Tonawanda stamping indicates it would most likely be a Van Nuys or Leeds car. The later L78's that I've documented seem to have 1 or 2 weeks in between the Tonawanda stamping and the VIN stamping.

Repectfully,

Greggory Carlson

[Nova Research Project]

CamarosRus ;

I can rule out this as a Nova VIN.

Greg