I'm searching for the information located on the engine block. I thought my car had the original engine. But I now know it doesn't. The '69 442 all came with a 400 c.i. engine, is that correct? I'm pretty sure mine is a 350 from 68-70. the numbers located on the ledge behind the water pump are 395558 with a big 2. I know it is a small block, it measures 12" between the heads. It also has a 2 barrel intake and carb on it. The build date on the cowl plate is 04E. I was wondering where more numbers were located at on the engine, heads and intake that might help me. Pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Yes, you have a transplanted 350. You are right, ALL 442's came from the factory with a 400. If you look on the engine below the #1 cylinder, there is an engine stamping plate. That will tell you the production year/plant/Last 6 digits of the VIN of the car it came from.
This is a pic of a 71 stamping pad on a 350

EDIT: the block casting you have could be from 68-74. The 04E on the cowl means the car was built in the 5th week of April, 1970

 

You stated that the cowl numbers 04E mean 5th week of April, 1970. I know my car is a '69 model. I thought they numbered the months like this;
01-January
02-Febuary
03-March
04-April
05-May
06-June
07-July
08-August
09-Spetember
10-October
11-November
12-December
If they used as you said, how would they do Oct-Dec.?

 

Example: 10A = 1st week of Oct
Your cowl 04E = 5th week of April 1969

Usually August would be the start of the new line so any '69 with August - December build date on the cowl tag would stand for August - December '68 and January - July would mean '69 build date.

 

Scott, that's a great explanation for a 68. But he has a 69, so the Jan-July would be into 1970. Me thinks you're working 'backwards' in your post. A 69 produced in the Aug - Dec will be built in the year 1969, then from Jan 1 the car is still a 69 model being built in the first half of 1970.

raw442 - the numbering is just as you listed. I don't see any discrepancy between that and what I posted.

 

Um, no Allan. No 1969 vehicles period were produced in 1970. The 1969 model year began building in mid 1968 and stopped in mid 1969. August 1969 started the 1970 production year bud

 

um, ok Scott. I did another rookie mistake regroup. BTW did I ever tell you how much I hated math??? .....thx for the wakey wakey. I actually knew that, but my brain was stuck in la la land for some reason.

sorry raw442, X2 on what Scott said. However, the other info I gave you IS right.

 

Also I looked where you said another set of numbers would be and it appears blank. So I guess what I have in mine is a replacement engine? There are some numbers on the oil fill tube though (063322) and I have no idea what that means.
Also what years interchange on the window glass. My driver side glass has been broken out. I know that 68 won't interchange but what about 70-72. And will the doors from a '68 interchange? I really like the vent glass!

 

The numbers are there. They aren't cast like the ones on the block. They are punched by workers at the factory. You need to clean that stamping pad with degreaser, not sandpaper. The stampings are very fine and you may need a mirror to see them because of the angle on the stamping pad.
I believe you can change the doors from a 68 442 to a 69 442 if you really like that look.

re: glass. Why not get the 69 glass? It is the same for Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark and Tempest.

The glass interchange manual for 69 side glass says:
Usage: 1969-early 1970 F-85, Chevelle, Skylark, Tempest 2-door hardtop or converible, 1969-early 1970 Grand Prix.
Notes: 7 hole glass.
Interchange 30 (late 70 -72 side glass) will fit. But you MUST use Late 70 or 71/72 style glass plates. (Eight hole type glass)
*Source: Cutlass and 442 Body Trim And Glas Interchangeable Parts Buyers Guide. 1964-72

 

If the oil fill tube is original to that engine, it indicates the engine is from a model year 1970 car. The number on the fill tube is the engine unit number and the first number indicates the model year.

Again, if the fill tube is original to that engine, the figures on the pad should be

30, a letter or the number 1, and then 6 numbers.

The letter or number will tell the assembly plant where the car that the engine came from was made, and the last six numbers represent the assembly plant sequential number.

Randy C.