weird engine manufacture code

[70CitrusZ]

My 1968 427 biscayne has an unusual engine plant code.
It starts with "s" intead of "t".
I have the build sheet from GM Canada which confirms this.
I was under the impression that all big blocks were made in Tonawanda engine plant.
Were some big blocks assembled in Canada? Does "s" stand for St.Therese? Saginaw?
If it makes a difference my car was built in Canada.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Mark.

[Mr70]

If the Letter S is in your CON VIN on your engine stamping,that would stand for St. Louis assembly plant and be typical for a vehicle exported into Canada.
I've seen S used on components built at the Saginaw,Mi. plant before.
Where on your GM Canadian documents does it show this?..as I've yet to see George Z. relay any engine code manufacturer stampings.

[PeteLeathersac]

Sounds like a very cool car....is it an L72 or L36? . And where are you in Canada? .

I take it the engine is original and the car is Oshawa or St. Therese built? .

Can you lay the whole engine code on us or a pic of the pad? .

Is the confirmation of engine code by GM Canada you're referring to a copy of the microfilm Vin-Shipping list? .
These are a page of about 40 Vins that show engine codes and options shipped w/ each Vin also what I believe George and the boys at GM Canada glean the information from to prepare the documents they send. .
I think they stopped giving these out as they show the key codes for all Vins on the page?. .
George is a really great guy and he may still be able to give a copy to a true enthusist or blank out the sensitive info from the pages....anyone documenting their car should ask him anyway? .

~ Pete

[70CitrusZ]

Its an L36 4 spd car built in St.Therese.

I should have double checked things before I posted...because now that you guys made me re-check the docs, its engine code indeed starts with a "T", but the code ends with an "S". The engine is at the farm, so I can't double check the stamping, but the engine code on the docs is T12223S which seems odd to me that it would have a one digit engine code. Obviously the engine plant is Tonawanda, which now makes more sense.
I still don't understand the single "s" engine code.
maybe I'll have to wait until I get to the engine to verify that this code supplied by GM is complete.

And yes I did get the engine code confirmation with my GM Canada docs, although on other cars I have documented there has not always been.

The build date of the car was April 26, 1968.

[PeteLeathersac]

Strange engine code but who knows what the Tonawanda crew was into 3 days before Christmas? . I think IE or IH would be correct? .
So did the Canada docs include a copy of the microfilm Vin-Shipping list or was the engine code noted on the standard page? .
Better check the pad to confirm what's really there as each time the info was transferred it could've been noted wrong? .

~ Pete

[Mr70]

Also noticed there is one extra digit in there..T12223S
The only codes the 1968 L-36 Biscayne used were:
*IB w/TH400 Police
*IC w/3 speed Police
*IE & IH w/Manual
*IJ & IS w/TH400

[Mr70]

Mark
Have you checked a Chevrolet Canadian Parts book for that 3S suffix code?
In the US versions,they always list the Engine-Trans.& Rearend suffix codes.
I have the 1970 Canadian version,but not the 1968.
I have seen them on the Bay recently,and I think a few on here may own a copy...just a thought,as this is something I would really like to see resolved.
Rick

[70CitrusZ]

No I haven't checked that yet.
I don't have a copy of the 1968 GM parts listing catalog.
I wonder if any dealerships would still have those books?

[70CitrusZ]

Still looking for info.
If anyone has a GM Canada parts book from the late 60's, That they can check for this code it would be appreciated.
I have emailed GM Canada again, but so far no information.

[70CitrusZ]

Update..
Now GM Canada says veh is too old to supply that information. (they don't want to look any more) Oh well, I just have to be content with the number being documented on the GM Canada build sheet docs I guess.

I have inquired with people who have GM parts books, and I gather that shows nothing.

Would have been nice to know why the odd number, but I guess it makes my car unique compared to all the other L36 cars in the world, so maybe thats a good thing.... a 1 of none engine in an already fairly rare car is a cool thing to have I guess.....
Thanks to all those who tried to help with this mystery!!
Mark.