Help with 1969 engine dates

[Louis F.]

I'm not familiar with 1969 427 acceptable time lines with reference to casting and assembly dates.I've come across a car with a July 7, 1969 build date.The engine casting date is January 2, 1969, assembly date on the pad is June 1969.I know this would normally cause concern.However, as we all know 1969 was a strike year.Considering the strike, do these dates fall within an acceptable time frame.

This is a very original car virtually untouched.I'm not an expert on engine pads, but again the pad looks to be an original stamping with no issues.Thanks, for any help.

[Steven C.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

I would be concerned. My '69 L71 auto (VIN 22704) has a cast date of March 1, 69, and engine build date of March 25, and a trim tag date of June 23.

The engine was cast and assembled pre-strike, the car was completed a short while after the strike.

Steve

[Chuck S.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

Louis, there were (oops...several) 427 options in 69 (L36, L68, L71, L88, L89)...you might want to give the exact engine option code for those guys familiar with the potential date lag in low volume engines.

[Louis F.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

Chuck, the engine is 427/435 L71.

[Michael B.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

I have an October 1968 build date car with a September engine assembly date on an original L68.

[Steven C.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

Sounds like too big a gap to me, mine is an "LX" engine code, very limited production, and only shows a few months bridging the strike. Seems unlikely that a car produced a month after mine with the same engine option (L71) would have an engine produced two months before mine.

Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

Louis,
There is no difference in the 1969 engine date guidelines that for any other year. IMO too much is made of the work stoppage in 1969. That said when I judge the engine I let the car speak to me. I am more inclined to be lenient in a car that appears to be basically unmolested vs one that appears to be "put together." That means taking other dates into consideration than just those you have posted, and observing the appearance of ALL the parts to evaluate the degree of Bubba involvement. Judging these components is sometimes not as simple as black and white numbers on a piece of paper.

[Louis F.]

Re: Help with 1969 engine dates

Terry, I looked at this car closely. The only items replaced are the starter and the alternator.Everything else appears to be untouched.Don't remember if I mentioned this on my original post.The car has a Tank sheet, protecto plate as well as dealer paperwork.