Help on Z-28 engine 69

[arod55]

Found a 68 Camaro with a 69 Z-28 302. First question did the engine have solid lifter, and two would the number on the block tell me if its a true 302 CI engine?. The car is located here in San Diego and it looks like it might be a true 68 SS other than the engine.

[macalot]

Originally Posted by arod55

Found a 68 Camaro with a 69 Z-28 302. First question did the engine have solid lifter, and two would the number on the block tell me if its a true 302 CI engine?. The car is located here in San Diego and it looks like it might be a true 68 SS other than the engine.

Yes the 302 is a solid lifter cam. Yes the number on the engine pad to the left of the harmonic balancer should end in DZ if it is a 302, at least on a 1969. If it was "the" engine originally in the car the numbers before DZ would match the vin numbers. This is true for the '69 Z/28's for sure, unless the CA plant was different. Of course numbers can be ground off and re-stamped if you want to mislead folks.
I'm sure there are others that know more than me.

[Ragnar]

Another thing to look for is the casting number at the back of the block up top. The block had the highest nickel compound added for additional strength. Sorry but I forgot what the casting number is, do a little research to get that number. The heads are also double hump version!

[arod55]

Guys thanks for the info, it do have the DZ number. The reason I asked about the solid lifters was when the engine was started I could hear the lifters. Now I have to decide if I am going to buy the car, it need about 6-10 k to bring it up to my standards.

thanks again

[joelster]

A real DZ 302 cube engine is quite desirable.

[jrhagen]

DZ is 69, MD is 67-68 302 engine stamp.

[MLL67RSSS]

Originally Posted by jrhagen

DZ is 69, MD is 67-68 302 engine stamp.

Not MD. In '67 MO or MP (w/K19 smog equip.), MO in '68.

[K1SSRSS]

Just beware on the 68 with out any documentation, the is no guaranteed way to tell if it is an SS. There are some indicators that can point to it as being one such as specific holes in the firewall etc. but research has proven that unless it's documented there is always the possibility of it being a base model.

Now on that same note, if the tranny, rear end and motor had been date matched to the car you can significantly narrow down the options, but like we all know, those can be found from other cars that shared similar drivetrain.

Next on to the 302, same goes, from what I have seen is it seems relatively easy for people to try and pass off old 327 blocks as 302s again I would want to see some sort of documentation. Many 327s of the same era share casting numbers with the 302 and if either have been rebuilt it is a good possibility the deck was surfaced and stamped. If you get into the internals well you have a much better idea from the crank pistons rods etc.

To sum it up I would not pay much more just because of the 302, yea its worth something if you find the car that matches the motor, but even at that its just a 5-6k motor.

[c5z28]

Originally Posted by K1SSRSS

Just beware on the 68 with out any documentation, the is no guaranteed way to tell if it is an SS. There are some indicators that can point to it as being one such as specific holes in the firewall etc. but research has proven that unless it's documented there is always the possibility of it being a base model.

Now on that same note, if the tranny, rear end and motor had been date matched to the car you can significantly narrow down the options, but like we all know, those can be found from other cars that shared similar drivetrain.

Next on to the 302, same goes, from what I have seen is it seems relatively easy for people to try and pass off old 327 blocks as 302s again I would want to see some sort of documentation. Many 327s of the same era share casting numbers with the 302 and if either have been rebuilt it is a good possibility the deck was surfaced and stamped. If you get into the internals well you have a much better idea from the crank pistons rods etc.

To sum it up I would not pay much more just because of the 302, yea its worth something if you find the car that matches the motor, but even at that its just a 5-6k motor.

Why would you bring up ss? They are talking about a z28, the ss had 350s and 396s

As for passing off old blocks, you could even pass a 350 off as one!

[TheHorse13]

There is so much fraud in the classic car market today that without the proper build sheets and supporting documentation you have to assume that there is a much greater chance of the block being re-stamped than being an authentic Z/28 motor. The same thing applies to the trim packages, such as SS, RS, and so on.

If you're out looking for a numbers matching collector car, all of the above matters. If you're looking for a solid driver, not so much.

[K1SSRSS]

Originally Posted by c5z28

Why would you bring up ss? They are talking about a z28, the ss had 350s and 396s

As for passing off old blocks, you could even pass a 350 off as one!

Really, here's your chance to reread the original post. Let me be a little more specific for you, read the third sentence. If I wasn't on my tablet I would highlight it for you. Why do you have to try so hard to be an a$$?

Originally Posted by arod55

Found a 68 Camaro with a 69 Z-28 302. First question did the engine have solid lifter, and two would the number on the block tell me if its a true 302 CI engine?. The car is located here in San Diego and it looks like it might be a true 68 SS other than the engine.

[f5journal]

I know we are talking '69, but the '68's were MO code. 69's were DZ and had the alternator hole in the heads. I'm pretty sure the block ended in 010 in the casting number

[Stingr69]

Originally Posted by f5journal

I know we are talking '69, but the '68's were MO code. 69's were DZ and had the alternator hole in the heads. I'm pretty sure the block ended in 010 in the casting number

There are 3 different block castings used during '69 year model for DZ 302's (and many other V8's of the time) depending on the date of production. There is also another block casting that is supposed to be less common that was used intermittently during the year. The "-010" casting is the one that began being used late in the '69 production year. This engine block is very common and was used for many years after that for many different applications. Very common block so that number alone does not mean much. It was used in everything from Corvettes to Station Wagons to Pickup Trucks well up to the '80's.

-Mark.

[f5journal]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

There are 3 different block castings used during '69 year model for DZ 302's (and many other V8's of the time) depending on the date of production. There is also another block casting that is supposed to be less common that was used intermittently during the year. The "-010" casting is the one that began being used late in the '69 production year. This engine block is very common and was used for many years after that for many different applications. Very common block so that number alone does not mean much. It was used in everything from Corvettes to Station Wagons to Pickup Trucks well up to the '80's.

-Mark.

Thanks..good info