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Originally Posted by WILMASBOYL78
Sounds like you have an interesting car there...the subject of a big block Nova equipped with factory a/c has been discussed here before. It is generally accepted that none were produced, sort of like the L89 option in a Nova.
Of course, many folks claim that GM did some one-off things for certain people, adding to the urban lore of these cars.
Without documentation it is hard to prove...but an expert inspection of the a/c install and other items might shed some light. If the car was converted, there will likely be evidence. The swapped trans also adds a little mystery to this car. The TH400 was standard behind the big blocks, and they were pretty much indestructible, so why bother to down grade to a TH350 ??
The cowl tag date of the car and the axle assembly date are very close, almost too close. The BL code doesn't make sense for a big block car...most L34 cars had a 3.31 or 3.55 axle.
Lastly, the engine stamp info makes no sense...a JM stamp on a 1969 '272' block, equates to a 396/375hp with aluminum heads with a TH400 installed in a Camaro. The correct code for an L34 Nova with TH400 is JI...so this adds another layer of doubt to the process.
So, my guess regarding this car is this: it was likely a factory small block car with a/c...that would help explain the TH350 and 3.07 axle. The big block was added at some point, perhaps during the restoration, and things were trimmed out to make it look like a factory 396 car. As for the deck stamp...without photos it is hard to confirm if it is authentic. If it is a real L89 block with low horse parts on top, it may be worth a lot to the right person.
Hope this helps...wilma
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I know without documentation it can be argued back and forth all day. I was sure hopeful the build sheet was in the car but it at least wasn't under or behind the rear seat as I yanked that out to look for it. I didn't go any further looking though.
From all of my research (which isn't much in the grand scheme of you guys) everything you've said is right in line with everything I've read about too. I was fully expecting "JI" on the block and at first glance I thought it was JI but after cleaning the area some more and playing with different angles of lighting, it is definitely "T1106JM 19W353779". I will see if I can get a picture of it to turn out maybe tonight. I do have a picture that I took but I've doctored the picture so much to make the numbers standout that it really doesn't show an accurate depiction of what the stampings actually look like in person.
The Turbo 350 had me scratching my head too for the same thoughts as you, why would someone "downgrade" from a Turbo 400. You know, you bring up an interesting thought. I have been fixated on the big block because everything (minus the transmission and the questionable A/C) adds up to a factory big block car in terms of the big fuel line, dual exhaust mounts in the rear subframe, 5 leaf leaf springs, 12 bolt, etc. I didn't think about it going the other way of possibly being a small block A/C car that someone stuffed a big block into. That might actually be what is going on here. I say that because, man there is absolutely no indications of the sheet metal on the dash or the firewall being "massaged" and or messed with in regards to someone adding factory air components to a car that didn't have A/C to begin with. I would think if the body didn't originally have A/C there would be some signs of modifying something even as minute as possibly elongating screw holes or an opening somewhere but there is nothing that remotely seems tampered with or and/or cut.
I would love for someone who "knows" these cars to look it over because just the same, without documentation, it's still 50/50.