[jeffw]

anyone know how to id a real rs ss camaro conv?

the vin does match for ss camaro do i need rpo codes or cowl tag to decifer rest of the options.

thanks.

[larryblack]

does it have the hidden headlights? That is usually a sure sign of being an RS.

[rrmccabe]

Edited.... See post below.

[jeffw]

ok so far so good im waiting on a copy of the cowl tag.. so its a 69 ss rs convert 396 with auto 83k miles vin does decode properly. the rear lights look square not round and the headlights are hidaways.

thanks jeff

[rrmccabe]

Yikes. I thought your original post said 67.

So I deleted the 67 info from above.

The cowl tag on a 69 is not near as detailed as a 67. As a matter of fact 69 is probably the most faked Camaro out there. I think there are more 69 Zs now than there were is 69 !

I would start by checking the original engine. See its original by the VIN. Then compare the engine suffix code to check motor to see if its a SS engine.

What I was talking about on the back panel was the backup lights. RS had backup lights below the bumper. Non RS cars did not.

If you are really interested in buying one and the car does not have any documentation, then go to camaros.org and join the forum. There are a lot of odd things with 69s and I am not an expert on that year. They have a huge amount of knowledge there.

Rich

[larryblack]

The fastest way to tell if a 69 is a REAL Z/28 is the cowl tag.

X33 or X77 makes it a REAL Z/28. Also the frame mounts for the engine are big block ones repositioned.

[rrmccabe]

Originally Posted by larryblack

The fastest way to tell if a 69 is a REAL Z/28 is the cowl tag.

X33 or X77 makes it a REAL Z/28. Also the frame mounts for the engine are big block ones repositioned.

As I said, I am not an expert on 69 Camaros. But I know the X33/X77 deal is not a conclusive way to tell for sure if your car is a Z. You could have a 69 Z-28 and not have these codes.

I dont think Early Z-28s had an D,X or Z codes. And then only Norwood cars used the codes. LA (Van Nuys) never used the codes at all.

I could be wrong. As I said, I am not an authority on 69s. I will pull out my friend Jerrys book later to confirm this.

Also Larryblack, I am not sure what you are talking about with motor mounts??

Rich

[larryblack]

The mounts bolted to the frame, were shorter and the engine mounts were longer. I discovered this when I was trying to get rid of the factory ones with the cable wrapped around them. The engine then was slightly down and back from all other small blocks. This helped out with weight transfer and the lower center of gravity the Z/28's had.

[rrmccabe]

Larry,

I dont know.

I just looked it and Jerry MacNeish's book and it shows the engine frame mount part number 302-350 all the same. Then big blocks different PN.

I also checked and the book shows that only Norword cars will show a Z-28 X code. I think they said November and after cars Norwood cars only.

I am more a first year guy. Not that I don't like the 69's.

So I am guessing its easy to fake a LA 69 Z. Probably the reason you always see X33 or X77 when someone advertises one.

Best wishes,

Rich

[larryblack]

In the late 70's early 80's I lived and breathed Z/28's. I belonged to a group in San Diego and we had access to a variety of info to verify real versus fake. We had a CHP in our group that would get on his PA when he saw a Z on the road and talk to them. If it was real, he would invite them to hang out with us. We had 1 67, a couple of 68's. several 69's, 2 of us still had the DZ blocks, a variety of 70 to 74 models and 2 78 decal cars.

Most books will show the 302 as using the same mounts as a 350 because the uninformed person that wrote the book assumed that they were the same. Believe me, regular 350 mounts did NOT work on the real Z cars. I used Lakewood muscle mounts as they were the only place that differentiated the Z. They were the same as the 396 mounts.

[rrmccabe]

Well I will ask Jerry and see what he has to say. You have me curious now.

Macneish is everything but "uninformed" when it comes to first gen Z's. As a matter of fact I doubt you will find many people that will not agree he is probably THE authority when it comes to them.

His books are not your average Camaro books.

Rich