LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

Fellas -

Also posted this on Team Chevelle, but wondering if anyone here might have info as well.

I'm looking at a TH400 equipped LS6 car, Baltimore build, 04C (3d week of April 1970). Has a 512 4-bolt cast Nov. 12 1969, T0403CRR on pad and matching VIN by oil filter (no VIN on pad). One head is L69 (December 8 1969?) and the other is C60 (March 6 1970). No build sheet. Have seen pics of the pad stamp, but not real good close-ups.

I'm not an LS-6 guru, but sounds like a wide spread on dates to me - head dates not close to block dates, all dates pretty darn far from build date. However, I've also located what appears to be an original Baltimore LS6 built within a few weeks of this one with similar head dates (has a replacement block).

Anyone seen similar dates on an LS6?

Thanks!

Scott

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

How does the blocks VIN characters match up against the VIN stamped on the Turbo 400?
I would get within a nose length of that VIN stamping down by the oil filter if I was you,and look at it very carefully,as well as the NO VIN void on the pad behind the alternator.What do the broach marks look like there?,and especially with that head removed.
If authentic,the blocks casting date,although unusually early,is not entirely impossible for a baltimore build for April..I have seen 3 LS'6 with a December block casting,assembled in March.Some of those bare blocks did actually sit around longer then others,before being assembled.
I've not seen unmolested engines with head dates that far spread..I would lean that one of em was replaced much later on after the initial assembly.
How does the VIN match up against the cowl tag sequence number?
What does the Turbo 400's assembly date,serial # and it's CY tag look like?..because they are repoping those tags.
What is the rearends casting date/assembly date & ratio?

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

I wouldn't be as concerned with the spread of the dates as I would about the con vin being stamped by the oil filter on a Baltimore car. All the Baltimore cars I have ever seen have the con vin on the pad. I'm not saying it couldn't have happened but that would be a big red flag for me. Try to post some pictures of the pad, that may really tell the story.

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

LS6 Chevelles are known for wide spread dates.
this has been brought up by Jeff and Chris on team chevelle many times.
What kind of documents are with the car?
these days i would not count on number stampings alone as they can be duplicated.
Is there a Build Sheet/Protect-o-Plate or owner history?
LS6 Chevelles are known for wide spread dates.
the best thing to do before buying that car is post clear photos of the Motor numbers/Trans/Rear Axle and we can help from there. Also if it does have a build sheet or protect-o-plate post those photos too as those are possible to duplicate as well.
as far as the wide spread of date codes,i wouldn't be to concerned with that. i would make sure that the stampings or documents are real !

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

Non-original TH400 and rear, so no luck there.

Have only seen low resolution pics of the pad, but seller is supposed to e mail more with head removed.

Is the cowl tag sequence # the long number on the top driver's side of the tag? How does this correlate to the VIN?

Thanks!

Scott

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't be as concerned with the spread of the dates as I would about the con vin being stamped by the oil filter on a Baltimore car. All the Baltimore cars I have ever seen have the con vin on the pad. I'm not saying it couldn't have happened but that would be a big red flag for me. Try to post some pictures of the pad, that may really tell the story.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll post pad pics when I get the e mail from the seller.

Thanks,

Scott

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

[ QUOTE ]
LS6 Chevelles are known for wide spread dates.
this has been brought up by Jeff and Chris on team chevelle many times.
What kind of documents are with the car?
these days i would not count on number stampings alone as they can be duplicated.
Is there a Build Sheet/Protect-o-Plate or owner history?
LS6 Chevelles are known for wide spread dates.
the best thing to do before buying that car is post clear photos of the Motor numbers/Trans/Rear Axle and we can help from there. Also if it does have a build sheet or protect-o-plate post those photos too as those are possible to duplicate as well.
as far as the wide spread of date codes,i wouldn't be to concerned with that. i would make sure that the stampings or documents are real !

[/ QUOTE ]

No build sheet or PP; only document is the MSO. Seller does have owner history going back to the original owner. He has not tried to contact anyone.

Have been in touch with Jeff about the car. He said that the wide spread on dates is not unheard of, but the VIN by oil filter is a concern.

Thanks,

Scott

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

Sounds like a made up car to me.

Here's what I'd be asking myself.

Why do I want an LS6? Power, long held desire?

Is it cheap enough that it fills my need, even though, when its time to sell, it may be difficult to move?

If I was the one selling it, do I want to be associatted with a car of unproven authenticity?

Scott, it's hard to say, but, for me, the car would have to be cheap, real cars are available at fair prices.

I always try to figure out how I'm going to get out of something before I ever get into it. Call Stefano and find out what you'll be facing when it's your turn to sell it.

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a made up car to me.

Here's what I'd be asking myself.

Why do I want an LS6? Power, long held desire?

Is it cheap enough that it fills my need, even though, when its time to sell, it may be difficult to move?

If I was the one selling it, do I want to be associatted with a car of unproven authenticity?

Scott, it's hard to say, but, for me, the car would have to be cheap, real cars are available at fair prices.

I always try to figure out how I'm going to get out of something before I ever get into it. Call Stefano and find out what you'll be facing when it's your turn to sell it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Certainly could be a made up car. However, price is quite reasonable - a bit expensive for a clone, but not outrageous. Quite affordable for a true numbers LS6. Problem, of course, is what you mentioned - I'm not buying it to flip it, but I don't want to be buried in it, either, so I need to be a bit more comfortable with it's pedigree before I commit.

Thanks,

Scott

Re: LS6 Dates - Wide Spread - Sound Right?
 

I actually have pictures of a real LS6 engine with a VIN stamp down by the oil filter from a Baltimore Chevelle. There was 2 attempts to stamp the deck first and then a 3rd successful stamping down by the filter. It would be interesting to see if these car's sequence #s were close.
Chris