'69 L36 Suspension Options

[Floyd B.]

I am flying to MI to inspect a '69 L36 (LM) Convertible. The car has had some alterations over the years but it looks to be numbers matching in most respects. I have several questions for early C3 experts:

1) What are the suspension options for an L36? Is there anything I should look for? On the off chance that it is a F41 car, what should I look for? Any tell-tale signs that the HD suspension was added later?
2) The car is claimed to to be a real N14 car. Besides looking for cut-away body work and evidence that a standard exhaust was removed is there anything else I should look for?
3) Did ALL L36's come with 4bbl Holly's - no exceptions? In other words if there's a Rochester Q-jet installed, I know it's non-original?
4) Anything else I should be looking for?

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[John C.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd

I know it's to late now but I would get the 68/69 guide for reference before making a purchase.

There are 7 things that should be checked to verify if it is a real factory side exhaust car. See the attached scan from the 68/69 JG. Also side exhaust wasn't available right away in the 69 model year. The JG states the first documented example is SN 9320.

69 L36 engined cars used a Rochester Q-Jet carburetor.

John

[Wayne M.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

....


2) The car is claimed to to be a real N14 car. Besides looking for cut-away body work and evidence that a standard exhaust was removed is there anything else I should look for?
3) Did ALL L36's come with 4bbl Holly's - no exceptions? In other words if there's a Rochester Q-jet installed, I know it's non-original?
....-

Floyd -- Being a C2 person, I normally don't respond to C3 questions, but for question (2), I'd compare the VIN, as Chev delayed N14 production until Nov 1st (estimated) per zone letters sent to dealers. So anything earlier than approx. VIN 06300 might be suspect if it has side exhaust.

As to the carb, Q-jets started in 1968 for L36's and small blocks.

Experts will correct me

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Thank you gentlemen. I'm at a great disadvantage concerning documentation. My home is in Florida but I am on a 1 year work assignment in the Philadelphia area. All my books, fact sheets, notes, etc. are back in Florida.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd

I know it's to late now but I would get the 68/69 guide for reference before making a purchase.

There are 7 things that should be checked to verify if it is a real factory side exhaust car. See the attached scan from the 68/69 JG. Also side exhaust wasn't available right away in the 69 model year. The JG states the first documented example is SN 9320.

69 L36 engined cars used a Rochester Q-Jet carburetor.

John

That side exhaust guide is somewhat erronous. It will be changed in the next revision of the manual.

Q-jet only on the 390.

[Ronald L.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd,
Did you think of asking a local NCRS person to look the car over?

How about checking to see if the car has been judged, people from the area that know about the car???

There are plenty of folks around that might have knowledge of the car if its not a barn find.

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd,
Did you think of asking a local NCRS person to look the car over?

How about checking to see if the car has been judged, people from the area that know about the car???

There are plenty of folks around that might have knowledge of the car if its not a barn find.

I was going to post a request to seek volunteer(s) to assist me as soon as I can nail down the time with the seller. However, it will be on very short notice since it will probably be this Saturday evening. I also can't expect people to jump at the chance to burn a Saturday night. It would be nice, but I have to be realistic. See my other post down a bit further - the plot has thickened...

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

That side exhaust guide is somewhat erronous. It will be changed in the next revision of the manual.

Q-jet only on the 390.

Dick,
Can you provide some specifics? The VIN of the car in question is 194679S703407. Meaning the available data indicates that this can't be a legit N14 car. The engine pad looks okay and reads T0926LM which would be consistent with a very early October assembly date which in turn is consistent with #3407 since this was strike affected production year.

Thanx

[Patrick H.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

I am flying to MI to inspect a '69 L36 (LM) Convertible.
Thanx,

-Floyd-

Where?

I assume (big word) that it's on the east side of the state somewhere in the Detroit-ish area?

Patrick

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Where?

I assume (big word) that it's on the east side of the state somewhere in the Detroit-ish area?

Patrick

You are correct - Fenton.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

I am flying to MI to inspect a '69 L36 (LM) Convertible. The car has had some alterations over the years but it looks to be numbers matching in most respects. I have several questions for early C3 experts:

1) What are the suspension options for an L36? Is there anything I should look for? On the off chance that it is a F41 car, what should I look for? Any tell-tale signs that the HD suspension was added later?
2) The car is claimed to to be a real N14 car. Besides looking for cut-away body work and evidence that a standard exhaust was removed is there anything else I should look for?
3) Did ALL L36's come with 4bbl Holly's - no exceptions? In other words if there's a Rochester Q-jet installed, I know it's non-original?
4) Anything else I should be looking for?

Thanx,

-Floyd-

Floyd------


For the 1969 model year, F-41 HD suspension was not available with the L-36. It was only available with L-71, L-89, L-88 and ZL-1 (required for the latter 2 engine options). Is it possible that any L-36 were originally built with F-41? Yes, it's not beyond the realm of possibility but any such car would be suspect in my opinion.

As far as N-14 "cues" go, I have absolutely no idea. I've always tried to avoid any knowledge of or connection to the N-14 option and its components and installation nuances. The less I know about that option, the better I feel. I've tried to even erase the RPO code from my brain's memory banks but, so far, I've not been successful. However, I consider that might be the one good thing that would come out of a stroke.

[Ronald L.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd,
Fenton is 10 minutes from Flint, and 1.5 hours from Detroit. Might even be easier to fly directly into Bishop Airport.

It does not appear the seller has this listed in a public forum so we can see what's for sale & provide feedback.

There is at least one Corvette shop in the area that if I was looking for history would check into, again it all depends upon what this seller's story is.

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Floyd,
Fenton is 10 minutes from Flint, and 1.5 hours from Detroit. Might even be easier to fly directly into Bishop Airport.

It does not appear the seller has this listed in a public forum so we can see what's for sale & provide feedback.

There is at least one Corvette shop in the area that if I was looking for history would check into, again it all depends upon what this seller's story is.

Ron,

Here is the link on Auto Trader Classics:

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1969-Chevrolet-Corvette-493387.xhtml?entityId=493387&conversationId=241815

It's easier for me to fly into DTW because I have family in the downriver Detroit are (where I grew up). My mom lives on Grosse Ile and I would stay there overnight.

My interest in this car is starting to cool. I really don't care if the car is a factory side exhaust or not so long as I can get it back to original. But if the body and wheel wells were cut, that would be a deal killer. After asking a few questions and requesting pictures of the VIN and trim tags, the seller isn't returning my emails or phone calls.

Thanx

[Patrick H.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Looks like it sat outside, or on a cement garage floor for a long time. Plenty o'rust underneath.

Rear body was not filled - he used a filler panel to cover the old rear exhaust holes. This is easy to swap for one with the holes.

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 L36 Suspension Options

Thanx for the information everyone. I just got off the phone with the seller and I have an appointment this Saturday at 7:00PM. We have to do it in the evening due to flight availability and his schedule. I would love to have someone from the area accompany me but realize that getting someone on such short notice for a Saturday evening is a long shot. I'LL BUY DINNER FOR YOU AND A GUEST if that helps.

Like I said in an earlier post, I don't really care if the side exhaust is original or not as long as it's reversible back to original.

Any other tips and advice is always appreciated. Which me luck!