[Joe Camaro]

Hello Camaro gurus:

I have a couple questions. First the details:
I am looking at a car that is being represented as a 69 RS/SS

On the machined pad behind the alternator:

VI230HB

There is no VIN in this area. It has the original block broach marks.
I cannot get to the block casting number or casting date.

Here is the partial VIN: N589082

cowl tag body production number is 246196 (hard to read)
cowl tag has X11 code
date on cowl tag is 01C

Other observations:

The car has 3 speed automatic on the floor, it has dual fuel lines a 12 bolt posi, and disc brakes with the proportioning valve under the driver's side door facing out from the frame. It has been repainted, so I don't know if the blacked out rockers are original or if the quarter panel chrome is original. It did have wheel well moldings at one point.

Questions:

Does this appear to be the original motor in your opinion?
Does it appear to be a legit SS/RS in your opinion?

Thanks!

[buenymayor]

The block stampings are in line with the build date of your car. I beleive HB is the 350 with an automatic. Since it is an X11 car, it could be an SS. That would explain the wheel well mouldings. Since it is a third week of January car, the VIN should be stamped by the oil filter. I'd do some more digging, but it sounds like it very well could be an SS. The VIN should also be stamped in the transmission. What is the rear end code stamped on the front of the passsenger side axle tube?

[Jonesy]

HB is the L48 350/300hp SS 350 engine. Looks like it could be the orig engine and if so, it would be an SS. the other things you mentioned also make it look like that is a possibility. What is the casting number on the engine? Rear end axle stamping?

[Joe Camaro]

Thanks for your responses Buenymayor and Jonesy. I spent five minutes under the car scraping goo off the axle to find some kind of number, but couldn't find it (I concentrated on the forward facing passenger side). The casting number on the block was hard to see and I kept scorching myself on the motor! :-(

What had me perplexed was the block stamping behind the alternator: VI230HB. The "I" threw me, until I finally realized last night that it represents a "1". Thanks to Team Camaro site, I was able to figure it out.

I've decided to buy the car, so I'll post all the numbers when I have more time to play with it next week.

[buenymayor]

Yeah, they used "I" instead of "1" quite a bit. The "V" means the engine was assembled at the Flint engine plant, I230 is Dec. 30th (the day the engine was assembled), and the HB denotes 350/300HP AT Camaro according to Jonesy. I haven't looked the code up, but he sounds right. Good luck with the car!

[Joe Camaro]

Well there you go! The last enigma was that "V" for Flint. Thanks for answering that one. Going to pick the car up today. Can't wait!

[Jonesy]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

What is the casting number on the engine? Rear end axle stamping?

Do you have this info?

I would like to see a pic of the VI230HB stamping. Almost every L48 came out of Tonawanda. I have only seen a couple of Flint built L48's.

[Joe Camaro]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

Do you have this info?

I would like to see a pic of the VI230HB stamping. Almost every L48 came out of Tonawanda. I have only seen a couple of Flint built L48's.

Hi Jonesy:

I tried taking a digital pic of the stamp this morning but it didn't come out. I'll have to get it out in the sunlight and remove the alternator for a good shot.

[dal777]

I got a T1105HB L48. Its a 11D car.

[Jonesy]

Originally Posted by Joe Camaro

Hi Jonesy:

I tried taking a digital pic of the stamp this morning but it didn't come out. I'll have to get it out in the sunlight and remove the alternator for a good shot.

Sounds good. Thanks.

[RamAirDave]

Dont forget to use the little flower icon on the camera for taking close up pics of the stampings.


dave

[mccorry]

I didn't know that Flint built any 350/300hp engines... I thought Tonowanda assembled all of them...

[Joe Camaro]

Hi Steve:

I clicked on your signature link and saw your car. Beautiful!! Mine was originally the exact same color combination. Mine seems to have had a spoiler at some time in the past. It's a 01C car, so I understand it could have either a short or a long spoiler. Which one do you have? Can I see a picture from the back of yours to get an idea how that looks?

[mccorry]

Mine is a long spoiler... but it should have a a shorty. Mine is a 10A 68 build.

[69bowtiecamaro]

Joe Camaro, i have a 69 RS/SS that i just recently purchased and am in the same boat as you right now, trying to find out things and determining its authenticity as a true RS/SS. My engines assembly stamp is "V0210HB". Same as yours, built in Flint, so theres gotta be L48 HB 350s out of Flint. My body # sequence is close to yours too, its 264089, built a few weeks later, 02B. Don't know if you're still searching for your VIN on the block, but Senior Tech member "Rack Man" really helped me out with this one. Heres what he sent me word for word:

Check the rough cast by the oil filter...(Vertically)...It can be almost invisible...get the paint off....and then they say to rub chalk on the area....makes it easier to see...
Here is a link that shows exactly where it would be....(Lower illustration)
Dan
http://www.camaros.org/1969_V8engine_stamp_location.jpg

Check out the link if you haven't already seen it. I didn't even have to scrape off any of the paint. Just get under there with a VERY good light and rub hard.
Members, I still have a few questions needing to be answered in my post "69 RS/SS #s & authenticity" in this same forum if you could help out. When you get some time, check it out. I'd really appreciate it.
Good luck Joe Camaro!
-Dan