Original Air Cleaner for 69 SS

[69OlympicGoldSS]

Does anyone have a picture of what the original air cleaner looked like on a '69 Camaro with the SS 350 cu. in 300 H.P. engine?  Just curious if this set-up is correct, which I kind of doubt.

Thanks in advance.

[gro51]

No that's not original.  I don't hav a pic but it would be an enclosed air cleaner with a snorkel pointing to the passenger side.   Base is black.  Chrome lid.

[70lt1z28]

69 300 hp air cleaner is an enclosed unit with a snorkle pointed towards the right side. on automatics a heat stove tube went from the bottom of the snorkle to the exhaust manifold.  cover was black,although standard in 67 and 8  chrome engine trim became an option in 69.  I dont know how to post a pic here but if you want to contack me i will send you a great shot of mine.  rsss35069@aol.com

[JohnZ]

There was no option for a chrome engine dress-up package in '69.

[70lt1z28]

there certainly was,  thanks

[KurtS]

there certainly was, thanks

OK, if you think there was a chrome engine dress-up option, what is the Regular Production Option (RPO) #??

That option never existed for 69 Camaros so you'll have some problems finding it.....

[gro51]

I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, but I will throw some fuel on the fire:

A 1969 Camaro order sheet shows "bright engine accents" as included equipment on the SS (RPO Z27).   Also, the "Camaro 1967-1969 Fact Book" by F. J. R. Incremona (copyright 1984), shows a few pictures of a supposed original '69 SS 350 and it looks to me to have a chrome air cleaner lid as well as the polished finned aluminum valve covers.   According to Mr. Incremona, "Much time and effort has been spent in locating and photographing original cars."


           

[nuch_ss396]

I'll also throw some fuel on the fire.  I met the author of that book many years ago.  I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket, just because he said that.......

[gro51]

I hear 'ya Steve.  But what about the order sheet?  Th '69 SS has the same wording as the '68 with regard to the bright engine accents, and we know for sure the '68 had the chrome lid.   It seems strange to me that it would be dropped in '69 but yet they kept the bright valve covers?  

[KurtS]

I was responding specifically to the 'chrome engine dress-up package' option, which never existed.

69 SS350 would have a chrome air cleaner (same one as a LM1 and there's a pic of one in the LM1 article) and painted steel valve covers.

[JohnZ]

<<shows a few pictures of a supposed original '69 SS 350 and it looks to me to have a chrome air cleaner lid as well as the polished finned aluminum valve covers.  >>

No '69 ever had polished finned aluminum valve covers - that's an owner-inspired modification to the as-cast finish on the owner-added Z/28 valve covers (the same ones used on the Corvette). The current GM replacements are polished, but they were never that way in production. Only the chrome air cleaner lid is correct, and all L48's had painted stamped steel valve covers.

[camaronut]

AHHH...........Yes........

The elusive undocumented "bright engine accents" option........

JohnZ is right...never happened.

[69OlympicGoldSS]

Gentlemen,

So help me out here.  Take a look again at the picture I originally posted.  The guy who originally bought this car was a GM service manager and owned this car from when it was new in early 1970 until he died in 2003.  Now that I have read your other comments I am wondering if the valve covers and air cleaner currently on the car were original or perhaps non original but NOS GM parts?  The original owner surely had access to some goodies as the GM service manager.

Any comments would e sincerely appreciated.

[KurtS]

Neither part is original to the car.

[69OlympicGoldSS]

What model / vintage GM would you say the valve covers and air cleaner appear to be?