Hello, I recently purchased this car for the buckets/interior. It is not a numbers matching car (built in KC). At some point the original engine was replaced with the current one. However, when I opened the bonnet, chrome valve covers were staring me in the face. What I do know is it has a stage one distributor and chrome valve covers and bolts. My problem is clearing away the buildup to determine if in fact it is a stage one engine. I can make out most of the numbers between the 1-3 cylinders. (8 H ? 4 6 7). Is this the correct amount of numbers? Between the 5 & 7 cylinders I cannot seem to find any numbers (what will clean this area, I have tried without success carb cleaner ?). The rear end has a slip tag on it and numbers I found near the fill plug appear to be * 1385724 and the below 3-. Any ideas on this one? I have not checked the trans yet. Any help will be appreciated. * 1385724 3-
Dibs on the valve covers if you part it. :Brow: Just kidding, here's a link with Stage 1 info I just found that should be useful. Click me. edit Credit for that link goes to Marco, it's on his Stage 1 registry website.
Let's see pictures of the rest of the car! I love to see everyone's finds no matter how good or bad the condition is.So please more pictures.
Clean as best as you can between the 5 and 7 spark plugs on the block deck. Use PB blaster to remove any rust there and look for and "R S" stamped into the block. The distributor should be # 1111962 for a 69 Stage 1 and not the 1112016 for 70 and later Stage 1's. Chrome valve covers and bolts could have always been added. Carb # (if original ) should be 7029246. Still, you never know what you will find. Good Luck, Mark DeConti
More Pictures I drove 1600 miles in 29 hours to get this car and return. The pans are junk. It has good doors, fenders, (in/out) repairable grill, good buckets and console, repairable core support and NOS parts.
Do you still have the car??? Please, please, please say "Yes"!!! And if you do are you going to part it out???? Michael
I do have the car and will eventually sell some yet to be determined parts. I am not sure if it is a stage one engine. I cannot find any factory marks between the 5 & 7. I do not believe the block was milled because there are numbers between 1&3. Any suggestions? Can the numbers between the 1 & 3 cylinders trace the original origin of the engine? The car has 2 good 14" (I have two other) ralleys and 3 very good center caps. I do not know if the caps are 69. I am busy with work and have not paid much attention to it lately. I do plan to sell the engine (stage or not) and the air cleaner and probably the hood (very good condition).
Patrick - If there's an '8' before the H (plant code) on the VIN stamping, maybe it's a 1968 motor (no factory stage1 cars in 1968). What are some of the casting #'s on the block/intake. The entire VIN stamping should be 7 characters - 4XY123456 4 - Buick X - Model year of engine Y - Manufacturing plant 123456 - serial # of the original car. Try scraping carefully with brake fluid and a small wire brush. Good luck!
Marco, Thank you for the information. 1. Does this mean the 7 vin characters are stamped between the 1&3 Cylinders? 2. Where do I find the casting numbers on the block/intake? Any help will be appreciated.
Glad to help. Yes :TU: - The entire VIN stamping is 9 characters. The intake manifold casting # is visible when you remove the air cleaner element. The block casting is right above the bellhousing, right where the trans bolts to the motor. It can be viewed from the top.
69 body are you going to part out the whole car or would sell me what is left i am restoring a 69 stage 1 and the the car came from florida and is rusted and the 1/4 panels need to be replaced. my vin #is 44637H106281. i am also looking for a hood. i was trying to buy one from a guy from this site but i can't get a hold of him now. let me know at rnoel1969@yahoo.com
Hi Patrick - According to Buicks.net, 1383790 is a 1968-1969 400 motor. The NHRA, on This Site, lists 1386681 as an intake manifold for 1968. It initially looks like a 1968 400 motor, due to the intake number. That could have been switched at some point. Try to get the 2-digit motor code between #5 and #7. Also, if you take off the valve covers, get the head casting.
Thank you Marco, you have been very helpful. Ron, The 1/4's on the car need a lot of repair. The doors seem to be good and the drivers inner well. It has a good hood with inserts and I will sell this but shipping will be expensive. It has a 69 Stage distributor and valve covers (covers would need a re-chrome)but the engine is looking like a 68 400. Let me know what you may want and if your willing to pay for the parts and shipping. I do not want to gauge any one. Make me an offer and we will take it from there. My shipping address is Hastings, NE 68901, look into what shipping would be and let me know. Patrick
69 gs what i was wondering is what you would want for the whole car after you took what you needed. i need a lot of parts for mine and it would probably be cheaper to buy what ever is left. thanks ron
hey patrick i haven't heard from you and was wondering if you considered my question to you about the rest of the 69 you just got. i am diffently interested the whats left of the car. thanks, ron
Ron, I have listed in this post the parts (at this point) I will sell. I am busy with work and will not determine all the parts I will sell until a later date. I want to determine what engine I have as well as the trans and rear. I do not expect to be able to do this for several months. I am currently working 60 + hours a week.
