1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

New member, long time reader, I have bought a 1969 l78 nova built on 02D.I have found broad cast sheet, not 100% but can make out most of codes. I am in need of a block and not sure about the time span on date codes A friend has a 290# block stamped with the correct sufix for my car quit sure it is a CE block ,Block is a 1971 block 4 bolt main.I know a 854 would be correct But orginal is long gone.CE is the next best thing. But when it comes to heads and other parts are janurary 1970 parts too soon? Ex heads, exhaust, dis.and water pump. I am tring to restore to keep and be as correct as possible. This is my second car I am the owner of a forest green duece 4 speed car #117. Any help would be great Will try to respond as soon as possible. Thanks for any and all comments. Todd

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Todd...........Welcome to the "Best" Muscle Car Info site on the net.........I'm sure all your questions will be answered by the more qualified Experts that frequent here......Again........Welcome https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Ken, Thanks for the welcome, Love this site had some time decided to become a member.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

The "854" Block which is actually a 402 ci would be correct for the 1970 model year only. I have never seen a '69 Nova with one. The correct casting for your '69 would be a "272" 396 ci casting.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Todd, I think all the 69 novas had 840 heads, and 163 intakes whereas the 70 was a "new" 396/402 with small plug heads, and the low rise aluminum intake.
I can't remember any cases of carryover as this was a 402 in 70 although it was still called a 396.
How about some deuce pictures? And we'd sure like to hear about it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Stefano, Thanks for writting back. My car was built in 1970 febuary 4th week But it is a 1969 body style. Shouldnt that be a 854 casting block Because of the build date.The car came with a 272 block with no vin on pad but correct suffix for car dated march 21st 1969.Last owner had no info on the block, but checked out at the machine shop.I though it would be to late for the car the 272 block???? Would a 290 casting block be correct?? dated 1971. Please any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Schon, I wish i knew how to post pics. Marlin know all about that car he helped me in the resto.Its forest green 4 speed, ps steering, sport mirror , dixco gauge package,with paper work ,orginal drive train Thanks for the help.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

If your car has a 1969 Vin which corresponds to a correct 1969 trim tag then the 02D would represent the 4th week of February 1969.

Production for the 1969 Model would have run from approx August of 1968 to approx the end July of 1969.

"290" Blocks are also 402s were to have been phased in/ used late in the production run.

I have a 1970 L78 with an "854" block cast F 8 70.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

That car would most certainly be a 854 block. I find it hard to believe that while there were 291 heads cast in early June of 1969,that they would never have been used on cars built in the same model year and 4 months later.I know of several original 69 camaros that had one 291 and one 840 from the factory.So the possibility there were cars with 291s on both sides is more than probable in my opinion.And since 840 production ended in the first days of June 69,they could have run out of them by the end of that strike year,with some 69 camaro L78s being made in Oct 69 or 4 months later . I believe the reason 291s were made in June 69, and then not again until september 69 tells me they made those to make up for the lack of 840s to get them thru production. In non strike years June dated heads would last until the end of that years production,but 69 lasted alot longer and i believe GM casted the June 69 heads to cover than extended production.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

stefano My vin is 114279w430890 The trim tag states (02d) as build code?? That should equal (1970 feb. 4th week) correct..But car is with out a doubt a 1969 model, Thats a no brainer. Please let me know if i am missing something .

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

427king , everthing you said make sence to me .. I am some what green in this area but what you just said is common sense. Is a jan dated part to early to but on this car if it is a true 02d built car according to trim tag ex water pump exhaust man , heads . thanks for the input. Todd Please excuse any misprints it been a long day

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

02D is not 1970/Feb/4th week, it reads 02/4 as in 02 0ut of 12 months production 12D is December 4th week. 09D is September. Your tag should show ST 69 11427 if it correct for your VIN.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

[ QUOTE ]
stefano My vin is 114279w430890 The trim tag states (02d) as build code?? That should equal (1970 feb. 4th week) correct..But car is with out a doubt a 1969 model, Thats a no brainer. Please let me know if i am missing something

[/ QUOTE ] Everything you are stating lines up with a Feb 1969 69 nova including the vin 430xxx, nothing 1970 about it. the 0 in 02 isnt 1970

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

stefano, WOW I assumed it was a late built 69 car not thinking to look into the date code further thanks for the help So with that said I need to find (late 68) (early janurary 69 parts) to be correct. heads, intake, dis and a 272 block. Thanks

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Maybe these 2 links will help you out. Good luck with the Nova .

http://novaresource.org/cowltags.htm

http://novaresource.org/

Tommy https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Tom Thanks for the help I need all i can get .I have actually looked at that site before.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

stefano, Thank you for the right answer. What months am i looking for in regaurds to parts, late 68 early 69? No sooner than what month no later than what month. For heads dis. exhaust man. Please let me know when you have time to write And thanks for the help i appreciate every ones time. Todd

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Todd, if you need a block, I have a JH code 272 4-bolt main block out of a Nova stamped T0416JH. Casting date on the block is D149 or April 14th 1969. A little late for your car though since yours is 02D.

Paul

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Paul thanks for the help, but i am going to continue to look for the perfect parts since this is part of the thrill of a resto. Thanks and i will keep you in mind in the furture.

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Hey Todd, how's it going - welcome to the site https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Your '69 is indeed a 4th week of Feb. '69 build date. It's been a while since we've talked, but in the interim I've picked up a '69 Ss L78 as well - dated 02A, and I've bought all of the Jan/Feb parts out there https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif Tell us more about the '69, options, colors, condition etc...

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...firewall-1.jpg

BTW, do you need a ROBERT Chev. HICKSVILLE NY plate for your deuce? I picked one up recently https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

BTW, you can see Todd's deuce in the vintage pic's section - it's the one painted blue with the Atlas wheels. This deuce is the only one we know of that has notes about a wheel change, https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif

https://www.yenko.net/vintage/vintage.htm

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Marlin, Thank you for writting back,I just want to take a second and thank you for all the help you gave me on my deuce. That car would not have come out half as nice as it did if it was not for all your advice and knowledge.Guys like you make this hobby great. Since last talking to you I got married and had a son,he is 5 months old, Chase Micheal he takes up a lot of my time but would not change a thing. Back to business. Marlin I would like to buy a Robert chev plate for my deuce...Back to your questions. My L78 is a 4 speed, May be m22? sound possible?? code on case is a (C) corteze silver, black vinyl,All bright trim around windows, tinted glass,double lower rocker trim. Buckets, tach, gauges am fm. And i have found the broad cast sheet and can make out 85% of it.Should be a mint car when done. I have all hard to get sheet metal, nos or mint used. Car is from oklahoma soild but sat for years unused out side.So has typical rust at dash and trunk floors are nice.The car was raced back in the day. cut quarters to make room for big tires. Block is in trunk no vin but correct code.272 and i think suffix is correct too .Machine shop checked and 30 over if i remember correctly I have to check date code again, guy I bought it from is the one who told me it was a late built 1969 car, That is what i get for listening to him.. He was only interested in making fast cash on this car, But still in need of heads,intake exhaust ,dis water pump. But thats it Fun part... Now that i know what it is i need I will hunt for under the hood parts. Please write back when you have time, Thanks again Todd

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Sorry for my tardiness Todd, here is the Robert Chev. metal tag. It's a little scratched, but all there. I'm in it for about $50, so if it's worth $50 to ya - it's yours!

You are very welcome for the assistance with your Deuce, and many congrats on your little guy. Nothing changes your priorities quite like a new baby, and nothing is more rewarding. Looks like Chase has his own Nova already - just like my Benjamin https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...Chevemblem.jpg

Re: 1969/1970 L78 nova questions????
 

Marlin, Thanks for the writting back. That sounds fair for the tag. Please email me with your address and i will send you a check. And if you have time please tell me about your L78 nova. One more thing, I need to start looking for exhauct manifolds .. Smog or no smog holes????? Seen so many so many different ways. Hope you grt this , So hard finding the time these days. Thanks again, Todd