1969 JU coded BBC ??

[Paul S.]

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

[John Brown]

The "LIME BOOK" shows 69 Camaro and Nova, 396, 325 horse, powerglide.

No proof that it us correct though.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

You could not get a 325 H.P. Nova, only 350 & 375 H.P. JU shows up as 325 H.P.- H.D. clutch manual trans for Camaros.

[Kurt S]

> but I'm starting to doubt that it was a re-stamp.
Don't. It's a restamp.
Tarrytown VIN would have a full-size engine code.
There is no BB/powerglide in Camaro/Nova. Nor any HD clutch.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

I'm getting my info from Chevrolet By The Numbers book. JU code shows up under 69 Camaro with manual trans and H.D. clutch. For the big cars there was a 396, but rated at 265 H.P. only. The rest of the engine choices were 427's of different H.P. ratings for the big cars. So, what's correct, the book or Camaro expert from the above first post. Some strange things were done back then, so it's anyone's guess. Don't like the number 2 on the engine pad.

[Kurt S]

There really isn't much to discuss.
None of the stamps on the block match each other.
There was no JU production. Yes, the code was pulled, but never used.
There was no BB/PG Camaro/Nova production.
Yes, it's a restamp.

[Paul S.]

��. Ty

[Paul S.]

Tried inserting a thumbs up before the Thank You.

[big gear head]

What I don't understand is why would someone restamp a block with a code that was never used?

[ZLP955]

Maybe didn't know it was never used, thinking it would be considered a rare find?