I have a 69 z28 Camaro and need some help determining if weather or not I should spend the time and money restoring it to near original condition. I purchased the car back in 1985 and drove it periodically until 1991 at which time I parked it in my barn and haven't driven it since. Seems that my life was just too busy with other things. A few years ago I tried to start it, but I was unsuccessful due to an electrical problem which I still have not resolved. I guess until now it has been on the back burner, but now I feel that I need a project in my life. At the time I purchased the car, I did not know much about number matching etc. But recently, I have read many of the posts on this forum as well as other first generation camaro books. My car is an X77 body with standard ivory/black interior and painted hugger orange with white stripes. The tag however calls for black stripes and a black vinyl top. The car was assembled the second week of March, however the engine is date V0206DZ and I cannot for the life of me read the stamping behind the oil filter. Suspiciously, this area looks like its been disturbed. I noticed however that the clutch mounting hole on the side of the block has some thread problems and as a result, the clutch is mounted to the side of a non original bell housing from which a metal plate extends backwards to the clutch linkage, pivot point. The area on the side of the block may have been disturbed to accommodate this homemade metal plate (maybe). Nevertheless, there is no way I can read the numbers. I've been told recently that DZ engine assembly dates preceded the car build dates by approximately two weeks during this period, however, I have also read that this can vary up to 30 days in normal cases and may be longer in other rare instances. The P-O-P is long gone. The M20 transmission does have matching numbers. I have not checked the date on the rear axle yet. The car is in great condition, but is missing many of the stock parts, which will be expensive and time consuming to replace should I decide to do so. Does anyone have any advice on my engine dilemma and how I should persue restoring the car to near original condition considering these circumstances? Should I attempt to find an engine closer in date to my car's assembly date? Would it be worth the time to have the block x-rayed or chemically treated or whatever they do to try and find engine stamping? Also what might this car be worth? Any comments would be sincerely appreciated

My inclination is that you have the original block already in the car. The assembly date is well within accepted time frames. Back in 1985 there were not many people who knew about "matching numbers", secondly the prices were extremely low (by today's standards) and fakes were VERY rare. I would check other components of the drivetrain. You mentioned the trans had the partial VIN, check the casting dates of the heads and block and the rear end codes as well. Sounds like you have a great project in the making and an excellent color combination. Good luck!

Sounds like it could be the original engine. One trick you can try is to clean the rough cast area near the oil filter pad and spray white paint on it, then wipe it back off. The white paint will stay in the stamped numbers and you can then try to read the VIN. It worked for me.

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Jeff H - 93 Indy 500 Pace Car, Hugger Orange 69 Z28 with JL8 brakes

Thanks for the info, I'll try the white paint.

Could you post the VIN and trim tag info and I'll see what engine dates other cars built about the same time were using.

But I tend to agree that it is a little early to start buggering #'s up. You may need to pull the engine to get a clear enough view of those #'s.
What's the block casting # and date?
Does the font on the V0206DZ look right?

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Kurt S.
www.camaros.org (http://www.camaros.org)

Yes, I'll post the #'s. I didn't have time today to look, but I will tomorrow. Thanks!

I don't know if it will be of any help, but I had an original documented 69 RS Z28 that had the original block dated 0226DZ on the pad and it was, believe it or not, an 02D car meaning the engine was stamped the 26th of February and the car was assembled and tagged that last week of February. The car is 100% numbers matching and verified by Bob Harris of Camaro Specialties. Hope this helps.