I'm going to be looking at an '89 Iroc with a 305 tpi, auto. On the older small blocks they were stamped on the block just in front of the right head. The numbers told engine-transmission combo and date. Are they still in the same place in '89 or somewhere else? I saw the engine codes listed somewhere but I don't remember where. I want to verify it still has the original engine. Also the rear end numbers used to be stamped on the front right side of the axle tube. Still there? Where would the "cowl tag" be and where would I find this info? Thanks, Wayne

 

Wayne,

You must be an "old timer" like some of the rest of us. "Cowl tags"? I haven't seen those since the early '70s. There is now a RPO label in the passenger compartment or inside the rear deck lid replacing teh old stamped steel cowl tag. Most of the options and several key assembly items are listed by code on this label.

The numbers stamped in the right front deck should still be there, and the last six numerals should match the last six of the VIN on the vehicle.

Borg and Saginaw axles still have the number stamped in the right axle tube, too. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

The numbers are still stamped in the same location. If the block has ever been decked then the numbers will be gone since they're stamped into the deck surface.

 

I had 1969 Camaro's and a 1983 Z28. Then they had cowl tags. The '89 has the codes and more of them in the inside of the console lid.

What should the suffix code on the 1989 305 automatic be? For example; on a 1969 it would be something like T0215HA. Tlant, 02:Feb, 15;fifteenth day of Feb, HA; 350 with manual transmission.

This info is probably in the later Camaro White Book which I don't have.

Thanks, Wayne