1969 BB or SB
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
I think the tank sticker would tell you what engine the car came with, the one from my 78 does, but it may not be readable after 39 years. Otherwise if you don't have a correct matching #s engine you're out of luck.
Paul
Paul
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
There's been several postings to previous threads as to how to detect if a car might have been an original big block. The easiest thing to do is go look at the rear suspension. Does it have a factory sway bar (called a stabilizer bar by GM). The SB's didn't have this feature. Also, I believe the U joints have caps on the spiders, the SB's had a U shaped bar. I think the tach redlines may be different also. I think the BB's had a different radiator support frame also. Maybe someone knows some of these details.
One thing though, apparantly if someone is diligent, a SB car can be made to look like an original BB car.
One thing though, apparantly if someone is diligent, a SB car can be made to look like an original BB car.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
The 435 solid lifter car had a 6500 rpm redline - I don't believe the other ones did. A detail that is often overlooked is the 435 car often came with the TI ignition. The module was bolted to the inner fender so a real car had the telltale holes. So, if your car had the 435 and if the fenders are original and if sometook it out with the ignition with the original motor to replace it with a pass car motor, ... then it might be worth a look. Obviously, that wouldn't prove anything - you'd need the tank sticker for that. If you only want to know whether it was a bb, the bb had heavier front springs and there may be a tag still on the spring to identify. The differntial has a code on it that identifies the model it went into - eg 69 BB 4:11 something like that. The diff code number doesn't say what model bb.
Last edited by Tim_Ko; Apr 3, 2008 at 06:00 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 181
From: NC
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
On my '69 427/400, my tach shows the orange on the redline starts at 5400 and the redline starts at 5600.
Mine has a single 3/8 inch fuel line and T I ignition. As I understand it, the 4 barrel engines had a smaller fuel line and a return line.
I bought my car in 1972 with 33,000 original miles on it. At that time it was 100% stock.
Hope this helps.
If you have any questions, pm me.
BILL SR
Mine has a single 3/8 inch fuel line and T I ignition. As I understand it, the 4 barrel engines had a smaller fuel line and a return line.
I bought my car in 1972 with 33,000 original miles on it. At that time it was 100% stock.
Hope this helps.
If you have any questions, pm me.
BILL SR