1969 Camaro RS/SS BB vs SB Question

[sbted95]

Guys,

I have been in the process of restoring my car for the last 2+ years. While I have been studying 1st generation Camaros for quite some time, this car is confusing me! When I bought the car, it had a cheap coat of paint on it but was VERY rust free and in overall nice shape. It is the rallye green color and has all RS/SS equipment (12 bolt, PDB, hide away headlights, the correct vacuum lines for the headlights, the longer hood springs, proportioning valve, SS hood, etc. ). As we have been tearing into the car, I have ran across a few confusing things regarding if it was a BB or SB car. When I bought it, it had a SB heater core cover and a SB crossmember. So, I bought a zz383 thinking it was a SB car and just threw it in. Well, the front end is sitting darn high and as I checked out the front springs, I realized it has BB springs still with what looks to be an original tag on the bottom of the driver's side. For what-ever it is worth, the panel around the tail lights was black when I bought it. Now, I realize someone could have added paint, springs, heater core cover, etc... I am to the point where I want to pull the ZZ383 and buy a date coded 396. I do not have the build sheet or any original documentation. I do not plan on restoring this to a concourse quality. I want to do the right thing in the restoration. However, I am sort of stumped. The numbers for the car include:

VIN# 124379L516105

Tag Info: ( _ is a space)

Top Line: ST_69_12437_VN232672_BDY
2nd Line: TR_711_79_79 PNT
3rd Line: 1B_F586

Front spring number (a number or two could be off: 3955770EK

Note: The rear from the center to the axle has 5 leaf springs


Other car tidbits FYI when I bought it:
The rear louvers were not there
It has the standard black interior
As we have torn into the car, the front end seems as if it has never been off

Help!

Ps- Hopefully I do not sound too stupid! I also posted this on camaros.net

[Mr70]

Welcome
3955710EK was possible in Camaro 12437 model applications w/SB L-48 or L-65,not BB.

[JRSully]

It may have had a heavier spring rate (reason it is sitting so high) because of possible options added on the engine and the RS equipment.?

[sbted95]

Thanks guys! As much as I would love to have a BB in my car, I just want to do it right! Also, since I have a SB in there now, it would be much easier to keep it as is. Now I need to find a date coded 1969 350! Thanks again.

[BARNFOUND YENKO]

Never underestimate a nice high horsepower smallblock as they can/will fool you.

[sbted95]

True....actually, the SB I am putting in is "rated" as having 425 HP. It should run pretty well! While one cannot beat the torque of a BB, I am pumped for a solid running SB!

[rspanther]

I might have a date coded 350 . What month do you need? I am about 30 minutes from you.
David

[sbted95]

January...2nd week of the month. If you have one, give me a call at 503-703-4065. Thanks!!

[sbted95]

rspanther,

Even if you do not have the exact date coded block, how close do you have? FYI...if you tried to call me yesterday (or try today), my phone is not working due to getting a little shower! You could call 503-703-9512 for a backup. Thanks. I truly am in no rush if you have better resources to get a good block.