VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1965-1970 1969 Impala SS 427 Buildsheet RPO engine codes

Does anyone know what engine an RPO code of "W" signifies on a build sheet of my 69 Impala SS? It does not list the expected L36 or L72 anywhere.

I would contact Steve or Warren Leuning in ME, contact number is in the G&D. They own a few of these cars and Warren has an impressive data base he has been working on for years

plucked this of the net

http://www.impalass427.com/69engine.htm

mike

Thanks John! I had his name before, but didn't know how to contact him.

Thanks Mike, this is a great site that I have used a lot. I wish they were still updating it.

Hi John: I assume ME stands for Maine? (pardon my Canadian lack of knowledge). I don't know where to look in the G&D for their contact details.

Technical advisors are listed in the G&D for all years and the index indicates the page listed on, however you need to be a member. Your chat profile does not list a VCCA member number for you, however if you are a member perhaps you should update the profile listing.

I spoke to frank agueci at GM canada vintage vehicle services 1--905--440-7618 in Oshawa. He said the W code meant nothing to him.

where was the car built Oshawa ont or one of the usa plants ?

I have seen a few of the big impala 427 cars around here over the last few years, think they are usually 2 bolt mains and 390--395 HP.

I also ran into a special optional hood for this car at a swap meet in Dunkirk Ny and owner had the advert to prove it. Was a bunch of long louvers real or fake , across the middle of the hood

UNLESS you have a very special COPO car with 425 HP 4 bolt mains ?

mike lynch.....

As far as I know this is a Southern US car. I have the build sheet so maybe I will phone Frank at GM Canada and see if he can help. Many of these '69s were built with 335 horse motors (LS1 believe it or not), and I want to be able to find out what mine originally was optioned with. The block has been replaced.

Hello Steve:

I am a member but just joined Nov. 21. I have had 3 emails from the club, none of them list my VCCA number.

Garth

I have emailed Steve Leunig to see if he can help.

Garth

I sent you a PM with your VCCA membership number. Also updated your status to VCCA member on Chat. Welcome to both the VCCA and Chat.

If the car was Oshawa built, frank can tell you in a written sheet exactly what the original options were. He can not do that with American built impalas. Make sure you have all the info written down on the build firewall plate.

There is a charge for this service.

mike

Hi Garth,

I can help you. I'm the other guy John suggested (Steve's son). Over the past few weeks I've actually been helping a guy from Canada decode the broadcast sheet from his 69 SS427!

I'm going to send you an PM with my email address. You can send me a copy of the sheet via email and I'll take a look.

Warren

Since you are in Canada and just joined it may be a little while before you receive your G&D magazine if you elected to get the paper copy. You can however view it online by going to the VCCA home page. Glad to have you with us. The Chat site is a great place to quickly get answers for questions on your Chevy.

Hey Mike:

Warren decoded some of it for me. The RPO W is for the L36 390 horse 427. I am very relieved as a lot of these cars (especially in Canada) were the 335 horse LS1 motor. Gotta be a rare car with the butternut yellow and black vinyl roof combo on a custom coupe, with black Astro buckets and turbo 400 floor shift and AC.

Garth

Yes the 390 HP is the much more desirable choice. The 335 hp was a real dog performance wise. Rode in one once. Did not have good rear gears like a 3.55----3.73's would have brought it too life more. Some bottom end and mid range power curve.

Most of the pictured 69 impalas SS I have seen locally were dark british type green with black or tan interior, or a darkish blue.

See if you can google or have an original parts book or more so the sales brochure that would show the optional SPECIAL HOOD available for the 69.

If the car is a loaded unit...tilt wheel, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, am-fm radio with tape, auto head light dimmer, electric rear defogger, might be blower under rear shelf, bumper guards . Be nice to have that sales brochure to see what was available options for it.

mike lynch

Yes, will look around for info on the special hood. I have just seen them for the '67 and '68. If you see anything please pass it on!

Have a great Christmas!