Can you tell if a 69 Nova is an SS by the trim tag

[92646]

Is it possible to tell if a 1969 Nova is a SS 350 or SS 396 by just looking at the trim tag? A car that I have been looking at with the wrong motor has a trim code of R3. Most big block Novas that I have seen have an A then blank thru 3. Has anybody seen a big block Nova with this trim code?

[WILMASBOYL78]

The trim tag info has no relationship to the drivetrain...it simply shows the build month/week,body seq.#, exterior color, interior trim style, number of exterior trim items...you need to look at other clues regarding the motor.

wilma

[mnyenko]

The R is for red painted dash parts. The 3 is for trim level. Like bright window trim, body side molding, rocker panel trim. Earl

[Mr. Chevy]

Look at the VIN. If it starts with sequence 11427 this will tell you it was a V-8 car, this will set you on the right path...

Also look at where the heater hoses go into the firewall. On big block cars they will attach to the heater core through the heater core box on the far passenger side of the motor compartment. If it was a small block car they will go into the firewall directly behind the passenger side rear valve cover.. There are other indicators to look at like 3/8 fuel line, size of the radiator core support etc...

Rich

[Allen]

If the fuel lines are original, an SS 350 or SS 396 L34 will have two... a larger diameter feed line and a smaller return line. This was used on the Quadrajet 4-barrel carb equipped cars. The only Q-jet equipped engines were part of the SS package at that time.

If it was an SS396, then there are also other big-block related clues to look for.

[al8apex]

like a 12 bolt rear axle and multileaf rear springs

[JRSully]

very quick clue, look at the driver's side rear frame rail for a welded on exhaust hangar mount (2x3" square with tapped holes in it) very good sign of an orig SS. SULLY