original factory install

[Pflugerman]

I am trying to find out what the original factory installed engine for a 69 truck. VIN is CE149s855618. Hopefully you guys are more up to date than me. Use to call the Chevy House but they say they can no longer cross check VIN with original equipment or at least for something this old. Tried a machine shop and junk yard but to no avail. Any ideas? There must be a way to find out what was originally installed.

['68OrangeSunshine]

All I can tell from the VIN is that its a V8, 2WD, 1969, Stepside, 1/2 Ton, built in St Louis.
Unlike cars, GM did not stamp the VIN on truck engine blocks.
If you can find the machined pad on the rear of one of the heads, a 7- or 8-digit code, [called the engine dress code] is stamped.
Example [from a 292 L6] is F0626UH:
F= Flint Mich.
06 = June.
26 = 26th.
UH = 292 w/ Manual Transmission, '67 model year.

Actually, the notation for the original engine will be on the SPID [Special Parts Identity Data], a 6'' x 10'' sticker inside the glove box door. A 6- or 7-digit code will define the production-installed engine. Also a plain text line like "V8 327 Engine..." But if you don't have the original glove box door, you probably have a Franken-Truck, anyway.

[GASoline71]

Does it have an engine in it now?

Can you get a pic of the engine stands? That could tell whether it was a SBC or a BBC.

Gary

[Pflugerman]

Thanks for the replies. It has a big block in it now, a 396. Use to be a way to cross check date stamps etc to find out if it was indeed a factory install, has the original intake manifold and other specs like is it a 4 bolt etc. I can pull the engine numbers but it won’t tell me if it is all original or not. How do collectors with show cars find this stuff out now?

['68OrangeSunshine]

If it was rebuilt, they might have decked the block and the stamped numbers got shaved off.

[Lee H]

Do you have a SPID on the glove box door?
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[Mister-B]

Does this help?

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html


Posted via Mobile Device

['68OrangeSunshine]

Try
www.Chevymania.com for block casting numbers.

Just my opinion, but a big block in a Stepside sounds sketchy for being period-correct.

[Pflugerman]

Sorry I guess I overlooked SPID notation. The information has worn off so nothing legible on the glove box door.

[Pflugerman]

www.Chevymania.com is a good resource and I will get good information once I retrieve the numbers however it doesn’t tell you if the engine originally matches the VIN or at least I couldnt find anywhere to run the VIN in a database at that site. Thanks for the suggestion!

[jocko]

All you can do at this point is to run the casting numbers (not vin) to see if it COULD have been the original engine (T code for bbc, if i recall - true for 72, don't recall off top of my head for 69) but, unfortunately, at this point, you cannot confirm whether what you currently have in it was THE original engine. So, while you could confirm it is not original (1972 casting date, for example), you cannot confirm it was THE original, even if casting dates make sense for the 69. If casting dates all made sense for a 69, you could at least say "believed to be original eng" or "year correct" but still could not honestly advertise it as original. W/o pwork, collectors can't confirm. Not all that state original even really know...
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['68OrangeSunshine]

GM wasn't that concerned with documentation on truck engines in the period. The philosophy was that trucks were for work and the expectation was that a truck engine was an expendable item, to be replaced with another engine when necessary and the fleet of trucks kept at full strength.
It wasn't until much later, that these trucks became a hobby, and the idea of a "Sport Truck" emerged.

[Hutch]

Check the seat springs for the build sheet

[Pflugerman]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Does this help?

http://outintheshop.com/faq/casting/castings2.html


Posted via Mobile Device

This might help when I pull the casting numbers but if you look down the list it says 2 bolt & 4 bolt on the same 396 casting numbers?? Might not be an easy way though I wish there was. Still tying to learn if it is original install. Got to be a way!

[Pflugerman]

Originally Posted by jocko

All you can do at this point is to run the casting numbers (not vin) to see if it COULD have been the original engine (T code for bbc, if i recall - true for 72, don't recall off top of my head for 69) but, unfortunately, at this point, you cannot confirm whether what you currently have in it was THE original engine. So, while you could confirm it is not original (1972 casting date, for example), you cannot confirm it was THE original, even if casting dates make sense for the 69. If casting dates all made sense for a 69, you could at least say "believed to be original eng" or "year correct" but still could not honestly advertise it as original. W/o pwork, ill extorts can't confirm. Not all that state original even really know...
Posted via Mobile Device

Most likely right.

[Pflugerman]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

GM wasn't that concerned with documentation on truck engines in the period. The philosophy was that trucks were for work and the expectation was that a truck engine was an expendable item, to be replaced with another engine when necessary and the fleet of trucks kept at full strength.
It wasn't until much later, that these trucks became a hobby, and the idea of a "Sport Truck" emerged.

Hmm yes you might be right but up until recent people could go to the chevy house and cross check VINs. If you called and asked about a 69 Camaro they would tell you that they dont have the ability to cross check any more.

[Pflugerman]

Originally Posted by Hutch

Check the seat springs for the build sheet

I'll do that. Thanks

[DGulliver]

I'm a fan of vehicles that are 100% original, and have a few "matching numbers" collector cars. That being said, I don't think on these trucks it's much going to matter. Sure it'd be nice to verify- and you could check all the date codes of your block, head, intake, exhaust manifolds, carb, etc. to verify that it could have been the original engine. It still won't prove it vithout a vin stamp, and I still don't believe it would matter much. On low production/rare muscle cars, fuelie Corvettes, Hemi cars etc., it does matter if it is, but it can also be verified, to a point.

I don't have the breakdowns for C10s, but I bet somebody here knows. Manufacturers changed certain parts and options throughout the model runs, even within the years. Certain things available for a '69, but only through July build dates, that kind of thing. Like when did GMC rear side markers go from reflectors to lights on the trucks? If you had the correct build dates on your engine parts, and for the rest of the truck, you could conceivably piece the info together. If you had a 70-81 Trans Am, I could help, lol.

Were you mainly concerned with whether or not your truck was a factory big block with the original engine? A build sheet would definitely answer most of your questions.

[Pflugerman]

Originally Posted by DGulliver

Were you mainly concerned with whether or not your truck was a factory big block with the original engine? A build sheet would definitely answer most of your questions.

Well some what concerned. Most of these trucks are getting snapped up by enthusiasts in this neck of the woods. I have two trucks, both 69 and one is a step side in great shape all original (got the truck from the original owner who is trust worthy and he says its all original.) It has a 250 that I will rebuild and keep. If the 396 is a 69 factory install then I keep it, rebuild it and if original to the 69 short bed then I restore the truck. If it is a 4 bolt then it gets racing parts and goes into the good looking step side as a sleeper. Trucks have always been a big deal in central Texas and the value is going up. A build sheet would be excellent yet not finding one. I am an impatient type that likes to move fast. Ill figure it out though. I like this site and the people here are quit knowledgeable. Thanks for the help all!

[special-K]

The casting number tells you nothing specific. You need the suffix code of the number/letters stamped in the pad in front of the head. If you told me what transmission it has I could tell you the suffix it should have. For instance,if it has a TH400 the suffix for a 396 would be YP.

[Pflugerman]

I am going out to the yard where I have the truck stored. I have been under this truck only once in a rain storm in the middle of a cow pasture. I think it is a 400 with kind of an oval shapped pan. Not sure yet though.
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[DGulliver]

I agree, Pflugerman- the last 3 I sold went to Texas, and they're only getting hotter. It would be cool if it was a factory big block stepside, but still cool with the 396 either way.

And, this board is indeed awesome, lots of guys here who know what they are talking about and willing to share the "been there, done that's"!