1969 DZ 302 Windage Trays

[3X24SPD]

Hello, was the windage tray that bolts to the 5 main cap studs on a DZ motor a late introduction during the model year? Did the 67/68/early 69 Z28's not have them? Thanks

[3X24SPD]

I've got a DZ block with a May casting date that has the 5 studs for a windage tray. Am looking at a January casting date DZ that does not have the studs- just bolts. Just wondering if the earlier blocks originally came with a windage tray or not until later production '69. Thanks

[X66 714]

According to everything I've read, all 1967 through 1969 302 engines had a windage tray. My 1968 302 has one..Joe

[HawkX66]

I wonder why someone would have replaced the windage studs with regular ones. Odd.

[X66 714]

Maybe they wanted the items for a different engine....Joe

[rszmjt]

All 67-69 Z28 engines came with the windage tray & studs, and Z28 oil pan. I have taken apart many original 302 motors over the last 50 years and everyone had them. I worked in a machine shop in the early to late 70,s, and we specialized in Chevrolet HP .
FWIW - Original line installed windage trays are different than a lot you see for sale, they had a round hole for the dipstick instead of the elongated slot type opening.

[rszmjt]

Originally Posted by HawkX66

I wonder why someone would have replaced the windage studs with regular ones. Odd.

A lot of time the studs don’t clear the bar & clamp in the CK 10 honing machine or other equipment , we used to use donor bolts to torque the main caps up for block machine/ honing etc. They were also a pain because they would snag on everything when moving block around for cleaning or any other work, including storage.

The block in question may have been robbed of the studs for another block and motor combination.

Look at the bolt head markings on the 5 positions and see if the head markings differ, usually all head markings are the same on all caps on original motors.

[HawkX66]

Makes sense. Thanks.

[3X24SPD]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.