1969 Nova Engine Code

[brownworm]

I was wondering if someone knows what the engine code for a 1969 Nova 396/375 with Alum. Heads (L89) is?

I have seen it as KE in one place. However, I have been unable to verify this with a second source. I have looked in Chevrolet by the numbers and it is not listed for a 69' Nova.

However, it is listed as KE for the 69' Camaro with 396/375 with Aluminum heads.

Oh by the way, I am new to this forum as you could tell. I have been visiting the site for sometime but just registered. So I hope all of you are patient with me. I am very interested in learning alot more about the history of the 69' Nova.

So any help would be appreciated. If anyone has another source I could look at for the engine code that would be great. Thanks.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I believe it should be 'JJ' for L89 and 'JH' for L78, the same as what is listed for the Camaro, (similar to the rear codes). The 396SHP codes are not model specific, just transmission specific, so there would not be a special code for an L89 'Nova' vs an L89 'Camaro'. Even if it was done as a COPO, the engine code would most likely still be 'JJ'. The '70 COPO LT1 Novas received engines coded as CTB and CTC representing the 360hp version of the LT1 installed in the Z28's.

We have discussed at length the possibility of an L89 Nova receiving the L78's 'JH' code. Most feel that would be illogical, especially for warranty purposes.

[jfkheat]

I saw this Nova site, http://chevynova.org/ listed earlir today. It may have some info you need.
James

[brownworm]

Thanks.

So the engine codes are not model specific. Therfore, it is possible to have a 69' Nova 396/375 A.H. with engine code Ke. As is the case for the 69' camaro w/ 396/375 A.H.

That is according to A. Colvin (Chevy by the numbers)

I quess I am a little confused with the engine codes. For example, (NOVA)- 396/375 (JH - SHP, 4-speed), (KC - 4 speed, SHP HD Clutch)

(Camaro)- 396/375 - (JJ 4-speed A.H. SHP) (KC- Manual, SHP, HD clutch) (KE - A.H., HD clutch)

You mentioned the Nova L89 with the code JJ. But this is listed as 69' Camaro.

Sorry to be a pain in the ....

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry 'bout that, I'm going from memory here and thought that the L89 code was 'JJ' - it might not be, but our belief is that an L89 Nova would have the same engine code as the L89 Camaro's.

We have heard a lot of stories of L89 Novas, but none have ever been verified with either a coded block, POP or paperwork. We believe that some were produced, just haven't found any - yet!

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I checked the CRG site, thought I was going crazy!

1969 Camaro Engine Application Suffix Codes
PowerGlide/TD THM350 3- or 4-speed
A/C no-A/C A/C no-A/C A/C no-A/C
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
230ci/140HP base L6 AQ AN AR AO AP AM
230ci Export AV AT - - AU AS
250ci/155HP L22 L6 BC BB BH BD BF BE


PowerGlide THM350 3-spd 4-spd
------------- ------------- ------ ------
302ci/290HP Z28 V8 - - - DZ
307ci/200HP base V8 DC DD DA DE
327ci/210HP base V8 FK FL FJ FZ
327ci Export FT - FS FS
350ci/250HP L65 V8 HF HD HC HC
350ci/255HP LM1 V8 HR HS HQ HQ
350ci/300HP L48 V8 HE HB HA HA

THM400 3-spd 4-spd
------------- ------ ------
396ci/325HP L35 JG JB JB
396ci/350HP L34 JI JF JF
396ci/375HP L78 JL JH JH
396ci L78 w/ L89 Al heads JM JJ JJ

[Kim_Howie]

Here we go again! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[brownworm]

I appreciate all of the replies.

I just received an email from the administrator of novaresource. On that particular web site he says that there were 311 L89 nova's produced in 1969. After seeing that number it seemed to ring a bell and after further research this is also the same number of 1969 L89 Camaro's produced. Anyway, the admin. from novareasource says that his resources for the 311 L89 Nova's is very reliable and he also tells me that the engine codes for the 1969 L89 Nova with the TH400 is JM and for the manual it is KE . Has anyone seen this engine code KE and is this correct? I know you mentioned JJ, but what about KE.

[Schonyenko2]

Brown, I'm going from memory so I may be off, but I think the KE is for an L89 chevelle. The answer to the question that you're asking is,in fact, unknown. There are known L89 camaros, and chevelles that reflect the codes that you've been discussing, but, to the best of my knowledge NO documented L89 novas, from the factory, with it on the window sticker, have been found. There may have been some dealer installed, but that would not reflect on the pad code. So a definitive answer is'nt possible.
I believe there are some L89 novas out there. I doubt there were 300+. If there were I find it hard to believe none have shown up. Schonye

[Schonyenko2]

Memory sucks. KE is 69 camaro AL heads HD clutch.
Chevelle KG shp 4spd AH
KH turbo 400 shp AH
KI HD clutch shp AH