69 427 Question

[William S.]

Hi-

I have come across a 69 427 L71--has engine suffix code LT, indicating manual transmission and heavy duty clutch. What was the heavy duty clutch?

Also, would a 70lb oil pressure gauge typically be found in a 69 L71? I know that 80lb gauges are used in the '67 L71. Just wondering if they changed the gauge for c3's-

Many thanks in advance for your help-
Bill

[Steven B.]

Re: 69 427 Question

I believe you are talking about the MA6, dual disc available on the L71 in '69.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Hi-

I have come across a 69 427 L71--has engine suffix code LT, indicating manual transmission and heavy duty clutch. What was the heavy duty clutch?

Also, would a 70lb oil pressure gauge typically be found in a 69 L71? I know that 80lb gauges are used in the '67 L71. Just wondering if they changed the gauge for c3's-

Many thanks in advance for your help-
Bill

Bill-----

The dual disc clutch was only used for 1969 L-71 with the MA-6 dual disc clutch option and 1971 Corvettes with LS-6 and 4 speed transmission. It consisted of a special 14" flywheel, special pressure plate assembly with a special "secondary" plate, as well as 2 special 10" OD friction discs. Since engine assemblies were fitted with clutch assemblies at the engine plants, there had to be a particular suffix code for L-71 engines equipped with the dual disc clutch for 1969. For 1971 it did not matter since all LS-6 engines with manual transmission were equipped with the dual disc clutch.

For 1969 all Corvettes were equipped with an oil pressure gauge that had "70" as the maximum numerals on the gauge.

[William S.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Many thanks Joe--I really appreciate your help.

The car is a low mileage car--but I don't know if the clutch is still installed. Interesting attribute of the vehicle though-

I may have a chance to confirm if it is remains with the car as I will likely remove the engine to detail the engine bay.

Thanks for clarfying the oil pressure gauge too-

[Terry M.]

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Many thanks Joe--I really appreciate your help.

The car is a low mileage car--but I don't know if the clutch is still installed. Interesting attribute of the vehicle though-

I may have a chance to confirm if it is remains with the car as I will likely remove the engine to detail the engine bay.

Thanks for clarfying the oil pressure gauge too-

How original is the car and how low is the mileage?
Restored or unrestored?

Just thinking that removing the engine to detail the car might not be in your best interests if the car is relatively untouched.

Patrick

[William S.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Patrick-

Mileage is 62K and unrestored--although the engine was out of the car at one point to repair a cracked ring.

The car shows tell tale signs that it has been worked on over the years, but judging from the numbers and owner history, it seems to have a good deal of legitimacy. Engine pad, transmission stamp, Vin and trim plate all seem to add up right--no build sheet or window sticker though.

Thanks much-
Bill

[Warren F.]

Re: 69 427 Question

William,

That car your talking about sounds like one my friend went and looked at in Benica. A Lemans blue convertible. The car dealer bought it from the widow of the original owner for 19K. This car had a small block engine in it and the dealer had the big block rebuilt and installed in the car. We spoke with the widow about the car, the dealer wanted 39K for it. This cars engine pad stampings had several questionable anomalies to it. The car also didn't have any known factory paperwork to back up it's options. Very low optioned car, L71, U69, M21, ordered hardtop only vinyl covered.

[David S.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Sounds like the one I looked at on Craigslist located in the bay area. The stamp pad on the engine has an issue with the "T". Very strange. Never seen anything like it. Proceed with caution.

[Warren F.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Dave,

That's the car I'm talking about. Both the engine assembly stamping and the VIN derivative stamping has some issues. The engine assembly stamping has two different zero fonts, an upside numeral eight, the engine suffix letter R that has been mostly obliterated by another stamping over it and has bounce back on some digits and not others.

The VIN derivative has bounce back issues as well. For both to have this issue by two different stampings at different times by different individuals would be quite unique. The broach marks look original, but with no factory paperwork to back up this engine option, one would always have suspicion about that stamping.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 69 427 Question

....The VIN derivative has bounce back issues as well. For both to have this issue by two different stampings at different times by different individuals would be quite unique. ....

Another caveat, depending on the VIN. According to a Denver Zone Distribution Newsletter, dated 20 August 1968, and reprinted in Vette Vues, stating that:

"MA6 HD dual plate clutch will not be available for production at the assembly plants until mid-October '68. Orders should not specify RPO MA6 on units on which earlier production would be anticipated".

So if it is a real early car, that would also be suspect.

[William S.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Warren and Dave-

Yes--it seems we are talking about the same car. I have spoken with the dealer on several occassions and was planning on viewing the car this week. I also was planning on speaking to the widow-

If either of you have a minute, I'd appreciate speaking with you.

Thanks-
Bill

[Warren F.]

Re: 69 427 Question

Wayne,

This is a later car. Vin 23460.

[William S.]

Re: 69 427 Question

To All-

I want to express my sincere thanks for your help and reasoned advice. I sincerely appreciate all of your replies--it provides great support for those of us who appreciate these fine automobiles.

Warren--special thanks to you for your help today. I look forward to meeting you in San Jose later this year.

Thanks-
Bill