69 BB coupe suspension query

[Craig D.]

I have an unrestored 69 427 390 4 speed coupe. It has the seven leaf rear spring and a rear stabilizer bar. Is this part of an extra cost suspension option avail. on all '69s or did BB cars come standard with these items? Are there other parts of a HD suspension option I can look for on the car? I have the protecto plate, but thought it was just for drivetrain options, not details like suspension. TIA, Craig

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 BB coupe suspension query

The rear sway bar was standard on all 427 equipped cars. The seven leaf spring was part of the F 41 suspension package. If you have your tank sticker it should be listed on it. The front springs may still have their id tags still on them. If my memory serves me correct, the last three digits should be 518.

[Craig D.]

Re: 69 BB coupe suspension query

OK , thanks I will check the springs. The tank sticker is still there but I havent dropped the tank yet. I am not expecting miracles though, probably unreadable after all these years.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 BB coupe suspension query

Dick and Craig------

For 1969, the F-41 suspension option was only available with the L-71 engine. It was mandatory, of course, with L-88 and ZL-1. In any event, it was not available with the L-36 engine.

This is not to say, of course, that some non-standard thing might not have occured. However, as Dick mentions, the front springs should be GM #3832518 if the car originally had F-41. If you can't find a tag with the spring number, the wire diameter on these springs was 11/16" and this was thicker than that used for any other 1969 spring.

Something else to check: look at the forging numbers on the rear shock mount shafts. F-41 equipped cars had mount shafts with the number "3829265-6" on them. Standard suspension cars had a left side shock mount with the number "3820929" forged on it and the right side had number "3820930" forged on it. These numbers may be difficult to see and, of course, the shock mounts may have been changed. However, if you find shock mount shafts with the 3820929 or 3820930 on either side, I'd say that pretty much confirms that this was originally a standard suspension-equipped car (as it should have been).

[Mike Lesher]

F41 not available with L-36?

Joe,

Like Craig, I also have an unrestored 1969 L-36. My car has the 15/16" dia. front sway bar, 7 leaf rear springs, front springs and rear shock mount numbers as you have described, lowered ride height, etc. No disrespect intended, but I have been unable to locate a source indicating that the F41 was not available with the L-36. All source information to the contrary would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Mike-----

Here's one source----a copy of the 1969 Corvette Order Form. This was the form used by dealers to actually order the cars.

[Joe L.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Mike-----

And, here's another. This is a copy of the 1969 Chevrolet Dealer Order Guide (pocket edition).

[Mike Lesher]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Joe,

Thanks for the quick response. The serial number derivative on the frame stamping and the driveline matches my serial number. The engine is an L-36 and the suspension, by all descriptions, appears to be an F41. The surface rust on the suspension components and their mounting bolts matches similar surface rust patterns on components that are not suspension related. Perhaps the paper says it couldn't be done but it appears that in 2 cases it did occur.

Best regards,
Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Mike-----

It may well have occured in many more than 2 cases. However, officially, it was not available. It may be that the 435 hp prerequisite was "lifted" at some point in the model year. I don't know if that happened, but it's possible.

[Warren F.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Mike,

The Corvette Order Copy document would provide the information on whether your car was factory built with that suspension option.

[Mike Lesher]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Warren,

Absolutely. By looking at the tank through the fuel door area, it appears as if there are remnants of the sticker still on the tank. I've yet to lower the tank to see how much is left.

Best regards,
Mike

[Warren F.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Mike,

Lets hope you are fortunate enough to have a legible one at that! Definitely wishing you good luck with this endeavor.

[Mike Lesher]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Warren,

Thanks! It may be a month or so until I get the time to drop the tank but I will post a digital photo here with what I find.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Verle R.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Joe,

I noticed on the Order Form that Air Conditioning was not available with 400 HP with close ratio.

In 1968 I ordered a 69 400HP A/C 4-speed. The order came back. I was told I could get 400 A/C with automatic or 400 4-speed without A/C. The refused my order.

I know that 400 4-speed w/ A/C was available later in the model year.
Can you tell me when that change occured?

Thank you,

Verle

[Joe L.]

Re: F41 not available with L-36?

Verle------

I'm afraid that I don't have an answer for that. Just when these sorts of changes occured during a model year has pretty much been "lost in antiquity".