1969 engine date code window
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Fresno CA
1969 engine date code window
I do not have my original 350/300hp block for my 69. What is an appropriate window prior to the assembly date of the car for the date code of the engine? I hear 3-6 weeks and it could be a two bolt main.
My assembly date is in March of 69. Does someone have an engine or can someone lead me to the right person. I am in central California.
My assembly date is in March of 69. Does someone have an engine or can someone lead me to the right person. I am in central California.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by c369
....I hear 3-6 weeks...
Good luck with the hunt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
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From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Is the assembly date the date stamped in on the engine pad and the engine build date the cast in numbers? My 69 seems to have a couple months between them but GM had a strike about that time so I figured that was the reason.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by RobRace10
Is the assembly date the date stamped in on the engine pad and the engine build date the cast in numbers? My 69 seems to have a couple months between them but GM had a strike about that time so I figured that was the reason.
The engine has an assembly date stamped on the pad. That's the day it was assembled at the engine plant (Flint, Michigan for all Corvette smallblocks). The format will be VAAAAXX. The As stand for the calendar date (i.e. 0301 for March 1st). The Xs will be alphabetical characters for the engine suffix which identifies the application the engine was built for(i.e., standard trans or auto, California emissions, etc.).
The Time/Build date is on the trim tag and indicates the calendar date the Corvette passed the station on the line where the trim tag was attached. This station was before body drop so the car would not necessarily have been completed on that date. Usually needed another day or day and half to be completed.
What's the time/build date for your '69 (upper right corner of the trim tag)? Subtract 2-6 weeks from the time/build date and you will be in the ballpark for the engine assembly date.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jun 15, 2006 at 01:36 PM.
