hi from newbie & a question

[Robert B.]

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to the NCRS & the forum.

I have an '08 Cpe and a nice '79. Tomorrow I am going to look at and probably buy a '69 350/350 that the private owner says is "all original". Original eng, trans, rear, manifolds, distributor, carb, water pump, radiator, interior, etc. I'm sure you have all heard that before and being new I am vulnerable.

I have found some good info on where to find numbers on the car but not any info on what they mean. If there is a "3" in a date code for example is that the 3rd month of the calendar year or the third month of the model year?

o.k. so I get a part number off the manifold. How do I know it is correct?

I'm not sure exactly where the s/n for the transmission is. Does anyone have a pic? Do I need a mirror to see it in some obscure location.

I hear a lot about "rusting birdcages". Do I have to take half the interior apart to get at the frame? Can I observe from underneath?

These are probably boooorrring questions for the seasoned enthusiast but a little help would be appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to the NCRS & the forum.

I have an '08 Cpe and a nice '79. Tomorrow I am going to look at and probably buy a '69 350/350 that the private owner says is "all original". Original eng, trans, rear, manifolds, distributor, carb, water pump, radiator, interior, etc. I'm sure you have all heard that before and being new I am vulnerable.

I have found some good info on where to find numbers on the car but not any info on what they mean. If there is a "3" in a date code for example is that the 3rd month of the calendar year or the third month of the model year?

o.k. so I get a part number off the manifold. How do I know it is correct?

I'm not sure exactly where the s/n for the transmission is. Does anyone have a pic? Do I need a mirror to see it in some obscure location.

I hear a lot about "rusting birdcages". Do I have to take half the interior apart to get at the frame? Can I observe from underneath?

These are probably boooorrring questions for the seasoned enthusiast but a little help would be appreciated.

Robert-----


1) The intake manifold casting number for 1969 L-46 is 3927184;

2) The transmission stampings are found on the right side, REAR vertical surface of the main case, just forward of where it attaches to the extension housing. There will be a stamping which begins with "P" which is the transmission build code and another which represents the VIN derivative of the car it was originally installed in. The last 6 digits should match the VIN of the car if the trans is original to the car;

3) Corroded "birdcages" are a major problem and often render a car "terminal". It's a condition that's very hard to check for. If the frame of the car suffers from significant corrosion damage, that's a good indicator that the "birdcage" may, too. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, but a good rule-of-thumb. However, there can be significant "birdcage" corrosion even in a car that has a relatively sound frame. This is one of the great perils of buying an old Corvette.

[Robert B.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Robert-----


1) The intake manifold casting number for 1969 L-46 is 3927184;

2) The transmission stampings are found on the right side, REAR vertical surface of the main case, just forward of where it attaches to the extension housing. There will be a stamping which begins with "P" which is the transmission build code and another which represents the VIN derivative of the car it was originally installed in. The last 6 digits should match the VIN of the car if the trans is original to the car;

3) Corroded "birdcages" are a major problem and often render a car "terminal". It's a condition that's very hard to check for. If the frame of the car suffers from significant corrosion damage, that's a good indicator that the "birdcage" may, too. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, but a good rule-of-thumb. However, there can be significant "birdcage" corrosion even in a car that has a relatively sound frame. This is one of the great perils of buying an old Corvette.

Thanks for the reply Joe. Wish me luck.

[Mike M.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

i'd get one of the michigan cxhapter c-3 experts to go with you . good luck,mike

[Hugh A.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to the NCRS & the forum.

I have an '08 Cpe and a nice '79. Tomorrow I am going to look at and probably buy a '69 350/350 that the private owner says is "all original". Original eng, trans, rear, manifolds, distributor, carb, water pump, radiator, interior, etc. I'm sure you have all heard that before and being new I am vulnerable.

I have found some good info on where to find numbers on the car but not any info on what they mean. If there is a "3" in a date code for example is that the 3rd month of the calendar year or the third month of the model year?

o.k. so I get a part number off the manifold. How do I know it is correct?

I'm not sure exactly where the s/n for the transmission is. Does anyone have a pic? Do I need a mirror to see it in some obscure location.

I hear a lot about "rusting birdcages". Do I have to take half the interior apart to get at the frame? Can I observe from underneath?

These are probably boooorrring questions for the seasoned enthusiast but a little help would be appreciated.

Corvette Sepcification Guide from NCRS good source for 'numbers'.

'69 body build date codes use alpha for the month eg A for Aug 68 thru to Q for Dec '69.

Engine block casting numbers for 69 350/350 3932386, 3932388, 3956618 or 3970010

cylinder head casting numbers for 69 350/350 3927186 or 3927187

69 carburetor chev # 7029207

[James S.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to the NCRS & the forum.

I have an '08 Cpe and a nice '79. Tomorrow I am going to look at and probably buy a '69 350/350 that the private owner says is "all original". Original eng, trans, rear, manifolds, distributor, carb, water pump, radiator, interior, etc. I'm sure you have all heard that before and being new I am vulnerable.

I have found some good info on where to find numbers on the car but not any info on what they mean. If there is a "3" in a date code for example is that the 3rd month of the calendar year or the third month of the model year?

o.k. so I get a part number off the manifold. How do I know it is correct?

I'm not sure exactly where the s/n for the transmission is. Does anyone have a pic? Do I need a mirror to see it in some obscure location.

I hear a lot about "rusting birdcages". Do I have to take half the interior apart to get at the frame? Can I observe from underneath?

These are probably boooorrring questions for the seasoned enthusiast but a little help would be appreciated.

Robert,

This is the best forum of all Muscle Car forums I belong to. The folks here bend over backwards to help with all the little details for our Vettes. Welcome to the forum.

Goatster

[James S.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

I just wanted to say hello as I am new to the NCRS & the forum.

I have an '08 Cpe and a nice '79. Tomorrow I am going to look at and probably buy a '69 350/350 that the private owner says is "all original". Original eng, trans, rear, manifolds, distributor, carb, water pump, radiator, interior, etc. I'm sure you have all heard that before and being new I am vulnerable.

I have found some good info on where to find numbers on the car but not any info on what they mean. If there is a "3" in a date code for example is that the 3rd month of the calendar year or the third month of the model year?

o.k. so I get a part number off the manifold. How do I know it is correct?

I'm not sure exactly where the s/n for the transmission is. Does anyone have a pic? Do I need a mirror to see it in some obscure location.

I hear a lot about "rusting birdcages". Do I have to take half the interior apart to get at the frame? Can I observe from underneath?

These are probably boooorrring questions for the seasoned enthusiast but a little help would be appreciated.

IMO the best book for decoding all components and is highly detailed is written by Alan L. Colvin- "Corvette by the numbers" 1955-1982. Pay particular attention to the engine block pad to ensure the block is original if the owner states that. The pad has certain details specific to original markings, like the "broach" pattern that is visible from the original shaving of the block prior to the VIN hand stamped on that pad. And the engine date code should precede the build date of car. I've come across quite a few misrepresented cars, so it's buyer beware. If you are unsure about decoding I would hire a Vette expert to decode the car; well worth the cost.

Colvin's book IMO is absolutely the best qucik reference guide for decoding the major engine and drive line components.

Goatster

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Robert:
The best book by far on '69 Corvettes is by Rick Bizzooco titled "1969 Stingray Guidebook". It is over 200 pages just on the '69 model year. Of course the NCRS Judging Guide has a wealth of information but this book is filled with pictures and details that the Guide couldn't possibly cover. I would recommend both books and you wil have 99.9% of everything you need. As a fellow Michigan Chapter member please don't hesitate to call or email me anytime.
Jeff

[Robert B.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Robert:
The best book by far on '69 Corvettes is by Rick Bizzooco titled "1969 Stingray Guidebook". It is over 200 pages just on the '69 model year. Of course the NCRS Judging Guide has a wealth of information but this book is filled with pictures and details that the Guide couldn't possibly cover. I would recommend both books and you wil have 99.9% of everything you need. As a fellow Michigan Chapter member please don't hesitate to call or email me anytime.
Jeff

Thanks again guys. I did find the Corvette By The Numbers book on Amazon and ordered. I couldn't find the Rick Bizzooco book. So today I also ordered the NCRS Black Book & the Pocket Spec Guide.

The local "69 I looked at didn't check out o.k. so Monday I am going to look at a restored 350/300 '70 vert. I'm finding it difficult to find a solid 69-71 that I can actually afford $24,000-$26,000.

[Jim T.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Birdcage rust detection usually takes someone with experience in knowing where to look. I am not an expert but can recommend a few places to look. If I was selling my 68 or 70 I would let the serious buyer inspect the area behnd the kick panels. Removal of each kick panel exposes the frame where if the rust is bad enough for birdcage frame replacement, it would envolve a lot of manhours in labor and be costly if you could find someone that specializes in this type of work. Kickpanels are removeable requiring removal of the door sill plate first. The area behind the removed kick panels is also a body mount bolt location.
Take a flashlight and by laying on your back on the floorboard inspect the perimeter of the birdcage. This may seem like a lot of work, however it is your money.
Upper birdcage rust can be hidden by the outside stainless windshield trim.
A perfect example for me was on my original owner 70 coupe. I was standing beside my car to watch the removal/replacement of my 16 year old windshield in 1986. Upon removal of the stainless trim the upper windshield frame had rust and had actually rusted enough that I then knew why when driving in rain during the previous few years, I would get drips of water dripping off the inside rear view mirror onto the center console. The windshield sealing trapped the water+rusting=rust through of the frame.
Another area you can easily inspect is the condition of the vertical windshield frame through the windshield where the VIN ID is located.
With the cost of repairs for birdcage repair and the cost to purchase a nice 69, having someone with experience to inspect it is reasonable to make owning/driving another Corvette purchase much more enjoyable.
Wish I could post pictures, the ones I have of repair I did on my 70 would show what is envolved with windshield framing replacement.

[Steven C.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Robert, although it has been repeated thousands of times, the best advise is if you are unsure, take some knowledgable with you.

[Steven C.]

Re: hi from newbie & a question

Colvin's book IMO is absolutely the best qucik reference guide for decoding the major engine and drive line components.

Goatster

Umm...a good reference, but far from perfect.