weird engine manufacture code

[Keith Tedford]

Mark: I have the microfilm shipping list sheet for both our '69 COPO Chevelle built in Baltimore, and our '72 Lemans Sport which was Oshawa built. I got the Lemans documentation back in 1992 when the lists were still available.

[PeteLeathersac]

One thing worth mentioning about these microfilm copies is I believe they show the complete engine code w/ build date...don't they Keith?.
If so, as much as George's group maybe can't lay a copy on you anymore, they may be able to verbally report this info to you and expose restamps w/ 'guessed' build dates?.

~ Pete

[70CitrusZ]

Restoration Services already gives you the whole engine number including date code as it appears on the block.
So nobody would have to "guess" at that anyway.

[PeteLeathersac]

Any documents I ever got didn't note the engine suffix/build info on the main page, only on microfilm copies I recv'd.. Perhaps these being included started when the supply of microfilm copies was scuttled?.
Being safer the old way, it may be worth mentioning to George Z. as he may be up for ways to help thwart some of the crooks and supply only the suffix, not engine build unless specifically requested?.

~ Pete

[70CitrusZ]

Oh, I see what you are saying. They must put that on since they don't supply the microfilm photocopy anymore...that is probably true.

It's funny that G.M. cares what info they give on the cars to a point, because they won't give the microfilm sheet out anymore because of the other vehicles on the page.. yet right now you can get all the GM of Canada info on ANY Canadian sold car as long as you know the vin and pay the fee, you don't have to own the car!

I think most of the stamps have some unique features to them and aren't necessarily perfect in some ways, yet are consistent in other ways, so even with broach reproductions most people that have seen a lot of stamps know what is suspect or real stamping...most of the time..some are too good to tell.

[Kurt S]

I'd guess that for some reason they pulled unique engine code for the non-smog Canadian engines. Instead of plugging the manifolds at the assembly plant, the engine plant shipped them with non-drilled exhaust manifolds.

Any of these # coded engines still have the original manifolds on it to confirm this theory?

GM of Canada microfiche:
The engine codes are only on the Canadian built vehicle records. Imported vehicles don't have that info.

[3macs1]

Hi Kurt:
Both of the engines I noted earlier were indeed non smog and both have the original manifolds and are not drilled. The impala set were cast just a few days prior to the engine build date.You may be on to something.
Joe

[70CitrusZ]

Wow this is new...Is there actually proof that Canadian L36 were non-smog?. A similar issue came up in the past when I was restoring my 70 Z-28.
Its some sort of old wives tale, and In that instance (F Bodies) it has been proven that Canadian "sold" cars DID indeed all have smog just like their American counterparts, (of course they were all built in the U.S.) unlike popular belief that Canadian Z's were somehow smog exempt.

This would certainly confirm the reason for the different engine codes if this were true on 68 Canadian built cars which could include Canadian Pontiac and Chevrolet A and B bodies, and possibly X as well?.

Can anyone else confirm this information is true?

This would mean that 3S was Canadian or non-smog L36 with M20 trans, and 3T was non-smog L36 with M21 trans.

If this is confirmed it solves the mystery! ...It also means I have to find some undrilled exhaust manifolds...
Mark.

[Keith Tedford]

Here in Ontario, I don't recall ever seeing smog pumps on L34 and L35 cars in '68 and '69, just the solid lifter engines. A friend has a '69 Vetter with the 390 hp 427. I'll have to double check his car as I don't think it has smog either. Can't always count on memory though.

[3macs1]

It was the same in Nova Scotia Keith. If we seen a smog pump back then 99% were US cars.
I would not even know how many 66-69 full size BBC we worked on or parted over the years and you are 100% correct the only ones I seen with smog were solid lifter engines.
1970 we started to see the odd smog pump but most of them were smog free also. The motor out of my 70 chevelle was pulled in 76 pretty well complete and no smog but I do have a 454 out of a 70 caprice with smog but the car came from BC so could have been a US car.I never paid any attention to it when we parted it.
Mark:
I know of a 68 Impala SS427 l-36 4spd with the original owner and about 40,000 original miles. This car has never been altered , painted etc, and he has every bolt it came with. No smog on this 427 either.