What engine was originally installed?

[69_coupe]

I've removed the body on my 69' Roadster to restore the frame. The vehicle had a 350 and TH-400 when I bought it, I'm sure that this is not the original engine/trans from their numbers. But how can I find out what combination was originally installed in this vehicle? As far as I know it can't be read out of the VIN.

It has clutch linkage bracket and welded trans cross member, which both indicates manual transmission. There is also a rear stabilizer bar which can indicate a BB engine.

Anybody that can tell me how to be sure?

 

[JohnZ]

Unless the rear stabilizer bar was added later, it can be a pretty good indication of a big-block car, as no 1969 small-block cars were built with one; what's stamped on the bottom of the diff (between the spring plate and the camber strut bracket), and are the inboard half-shaft U-joints attached to the diff yokes by bolted steel caps or by U-bolts and nuts?

What kind of radiator does it have, does it have an expansion tank, and does it have A/C?

 

[3dale1]

Another clue that would indicate a BB is a 7 leaf spring as opposed to a 9 leaf for a SB (although it could have been changed of course)

 

[69_coupe]

Unless the rear stabilizer bar was added later, it can be a pretty good indication of a big-block car, as no 1969 small-block cars were built with one; what's stamped on the bottom of the diff (between the spring plate and the camber strut bracket), and are the inboard half-shaft U-joints attached to the diff yokes by bolted steel caps or by U-bolts and nuts?

What kind of radiator does it have, does it have an expansion tank, and does it have A/C?

I can't find anything stamped on the diff in that area, but the yokes has bolted steel caps. No A/C, it has expansion tank, not the same as I have in the coupe which had A/C, but a shorter one with larger diameter. There are seven leafs on the rear spring.
Rear stabilizer bracket nuts are originally welded inside the frame..

 

[JohnZ]

Most of the "clues" say big-block, except the cooling system; big-blocks used a copper/brass radiator with a cap on the passenger side and no expansion tank, and small-blocks used an aluminum radiator with no cap and an aluminum expansion tank mounted on the back side of the pass. side inner fender with the fill cap.

 

[69_coupe]

Are you sure BBs didn't have expansion tank? My 69' coupe is a matching # 427 with AC, it has a copper expansion tank. I can't be sure it has been there from the factory but it looks original.

 

[JohnZ]

Are you sure BBs didn't have expansion tank? My 69' coupe is a matching # 427 with AC, it has a copper expansion tank. I can't be sure it has been there from the factory but it looks original.

As I recall, the '69 A/C big-blocks used a long, skinny cylindrical brass expansion tank; so few of them were made that it's not reproduced. I have a photo of one somewhere, but I can't locate it right now - maybe Mikey can confirm.

 

[69_coupe]

As I recall, the '69 A/C big-blocks used a long, skinny cylindrical brass expansion tank; so few of them were made that it's not reproduced. I have a photo of one somewhere, but I can't locate it right now - maybe Mikey can confirm.

That's correct , approx 3" dia. You can se a part of it in this pict:

 

[69_coupe]

Unless the rear stabilizer bar was added later, it can be a pretty good indication of a big-block car, as no 1969 small-block cars were built with one; what's stamped on the bottom of the diff (between the spring plate and the camber strut bracket), and are the inboard half-shaft U-joints attached to the diff yokes by bolted steel caps or by U-bolts and nuts?

What kind of radiator does it have, does it have an expansion tank, and does it have A/C?

I've found the differential code at last, it is almost impossible to read, but I can read: AZ 9 17 69. It may be somthing looking like a "W" after 69.

In my books this should be a diff with 3.55 ratio, which it has, and it should have been installed behind a 427.

Happy New year to you all from Norway.
http://www.vmyrv.com

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

As I recall, the '69 A/C big-blocks used a long, skinny cylindrical brass expansion tank; so few of them were made that it's not reproduced. I have a photo of one somewhere, but I can't locate it right now - maybe Mikey can confirm.

All big blocks in '69 had a tank. Non-A/C cars had an aluminum tank of a type commonly seen with Harrison aluminum radiators on other Corvettes. The big blocks with A/C (only) had a long brass tank (painted black) as mentioned by John.

Small block cars had either no tank at all or an aluminum tank depending on engine and A/C combo.

There's ten different combos possible for 69, and '68 is different again. Must have driven engineering and the bean counters crazy trying to keep everything under control.

It sounds like the car in question has a conventional aluminum tank, which means it cannot be a big block A/C car (already stated that it has no A/C equipment) which leaves a 390, 400 or 435 car. I'm assuming that it's not a 430 (L88)

If the tach face is original, the indicated red line would be another good clue.

5600= 390 or 400 horse
6500= 435 hp.

5300 or 6000 are low and high HP relines for the two available small blocls.

Hope this helps and Godt Nytt År fra Canada!