Author Topic: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance  (Read 13547 times)

elodnuges

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1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« on: March 22, 2015, 04:24:47 PM »
I recently purchased a 1969 Camaro SS 396 that does not have the original engine and transmission.  Based on the information at CRG, I believe it to be an L-78.  The car was built at the Los Angeles plant and delivered through Jack Head Chevrolet in Alhambra, CA.  I purchased the car from a gentleman in Torrance, CA who said he got it around 1985 from a friend of the family.  The family friend purchased it in the early 70’s from Merle Dupree whom he thought was the original owner.  I spoke with Merle who said he never owned a brand new Camaro in his life so there is a gap in early / original owner knowledge.  The car was modified early in its life for, most likely, competition drag racing or possibly road racing.  The most unique modification is for override traction bars with brackets welded to the subframe rails at the kick ups and also at the tops of the differential housing tubes next to the bearing flanges.  The car has a date period correct rear end with a 12 bolt posi 4:10 ratio designation stamped on one of the tubes.  There were other modifications done but I wanted to put out some initial information to see if any members have input on this Camaro.

VINCE Z28

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2015, 04:34:48 PM »
Post the VIN, Kurt might have information in the DB.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2015, 04:41:39 PM »
VIN # 124379L524756

VINCE Z28

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2015, 05:55:53 PM »
Are you looking for previous owners or information on what a L-78 should have parts wise?
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2015, 06:24:53 PM »
Past owner information to discover the racing history, verbal or document conformation as to its L78 status, location of the original engine / transmission and past mechanical and body modifications / repairs.  It seems that I have a 3-4 year gap of unknown previous owners. As the car was delivered in Alhambra, CA and spent the majority of its life in Torrance, CA, I'm hoping to find someone who either worked with the owner / driver on the car when it was raced or anyone else familiar with its history.  It was originally burnished brown, then orange and last painted lemans / marina blue.  I used Jerry MacNeish's book on 1969 HP Camaros as well as the CRG site to come up with information as to what parts an original L78 had and everything on the car with the exception of the original engine and transmission checks out.  If you have an other information regarding the documentation of an L78, I'd definitely appreciate your assistance.

vtfb68

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2015, 07:27:49 PM »
Can you post a picture of the car?
   VT
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VINCE Z28

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2015, 07:33:25 PM »
elodnuges, I have pictures of my former early L. A. 69  L-78. You can either email me or give me yours, so I don't take up space here with lots of pictures.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2015, 08:04:56 PM »
Thank you for you offer and assistance.  I am simple.... teach me.  jhnoel4@sbcglobal.net

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2015, 08:21:50 PM »
VT - Here is a picture of my 69 SS.  I have additional pictures of modifications made for racing.  I don't want to post too many to take up a bunch of space.  Let me know if you'd like to see anything specific.

KurtS

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2015, 04:17:57 AM »
Sorry, nothing on that VIN. Close, but that doesn't count.
What's the axle stamp?
Kurt S
CRG

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2015, 03:56:23 PM »
Kurt - pictures of housing casting number and tube stamp

69Z28-RS

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2015, 04:13:17 PM »
Your VIN indicates late Feb production completion, so a Dec rear is possibly/probably the original.
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BULLITT65

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2015, 04:41:02 PM »
Good looking car, I really l like the hockey stripes.
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
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-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

elodnuges

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2015, 05:29:19 PM »
Any thoughts on override traction bars installed in late 60's? Picture shows the bracket and stub, welded to the frame rail and the remnants of a bracket that was cut off of the top differential tube.  First time I've seen these on a Camaro, There was some info I found online regarding their use in road racing the early Camaros.  Car had a full roll cage, hi volume electric fuel pump installed over the rear axle, eyelet anchor welded on the DS frame for a torque strap, trailer hitch plug installed on the DS headlight bucket and wired into the brake / turn signal circuit at the steering column and a leaf removed from the rear springs and replaced with a thin block spacer between the bottom of the spring and the retaining plate.  My thoughts are that this car was drag raced but under the leaf spring traction bars were more common, the override bars have me wondering.

KurtS

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Re: 1969 SS 396 / 375 assistance
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2015, 08:05:03 PM »
An early Dec axle in a late Feb car is possible. Most of the axles were much closer, but I see another Feb LOS car with that same date.

When does NCRS say the car was built?
Single fuel line? BB frame mounts and heater core?
Kurt S
CRG