NateZ

The tech section is correct. The cars came with F41 suspension, but your build sheet isn't going to show RPO code F41. None of the Monte SS build sheets I have show that code regardless of assembly plant or year. I have plenty of Chevelle build sheets that show it, though. For SS Montes, it was probably rolled into the Z20 RPO (SS) option, i.e. if you got Z20, you got F41. F41 consisted of: HD shocks, rear stabliler bar, special front stablizer bar (replaces standard), special front and rear springs and boxed rear lower control arms. If nothing else, measure the size of your stabilizer bar (1-1/8"). Not sure why you don't see the boxed rear control arms. That's odd. By the way, my '70 SS came with a 2.56 one-legger (non-posi).

Thanks, Sam! I'll do my best and hopefully help out a few SS fanatics along the way. Leo will be staying on as the technical advisor, so he's not going too far away.

VIN: Dash, upper drivers side. Partial VIN: Firewall, under lower lip of the heater box. Partial VIN: Firewall, under the hole for blower motor. Partial VIN: Frame, drivers side, on top of the rear rail beside the fuel tank (body off) Partial VIN: Frame, passengers side, on the outside of the front frame rail, visible inside front wheel well. (Note: I've only seen evidence of this on one car -- a '70 Kansas City-built El Camino) Partial VIN: Engine -- See the Mortec website for more info. Partial VIN: Trans -- as discussed earlier in this thread. Biggest thing to remember is that there are variations on CON VINs, as to what you may (or may not) find on your car, and the locations. It all depends on the assembly plant, and I don't have specific details on every plant for every year. Here's a shot of CON VINs on a '68 Chevelle firewall. Since it's a '68, the GM division number is absent as that didn't start until '69. Also, the picture isn't upside-down -- the CON VIN is, and this is normal:

Anytime, Ed. I should've mentioned the other locations of CON VINs, but I limited my response because someone had specifically mentioned the partial VIN on the frame rail. As Alex stated, the CON VIN can also be found behind the A/C box on the firewall as well as behind the blower motor. So, two locations on the firewall. Again, this isn't always the case -- it mostly depends on the assembly plant. As Leo can attest, we found two CON VINs on the firewall of my Baltimore-built '70 during restoration.

As with Chevelles, the partial VIN or CON VIN can generally be found stamped on the top of the frame behind the driver's side rear wheel where the rail runs under the trunk. You can't see it unless the body is off the frame. It has also been found on the passenger side of some Atlanta-built cars. Again, this is generally the case, but not always the case. Some cars simply don't have them (there was one assembly plant in particular reputed to have left off this location when stamping CON VINs), but they will have the CON VIN someplace else. Don't confuse this with the frame part number usually stamped on the driver's side rear frame rail on the outside -- which is visible without removing the body. Note, this is the CON VIN or confidential VIN. So it's a partial VIN. The CON VIN will look like this up to 1968: 7F123456 (example). They did not always include the GM division, and they never stamped the complete VIN, just a derivative. They omitted the model number as anyone could tell what that was from the body plate and other ident sources. The goal was to ID the specific car not the generic model. From 1969 on up, it looks like this: 10F123456 (example) 1 - GM Division (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 0 - Model Year F - Assembly Plant for car 123456 - Last 6 digits of the cars VIN The CON VIN's were stamped in hidden areas. The reason for this is to hide them from people so they cannot be easily found and altered. They were placed there for tracking of stolen vehicles and parts to be used by law enforcement. Crooks could alter the VIN on the A pillar or dash but they often were not aware of the confidential vehicle indentication number derivatives stamped onto the engine, trans, frame, or body. ~ Nate

As with some other GM parts, the first "1" you're seeing is probably representative of the brand, i.e. "Chevrolet", followed by the "1" for the last digit of the year, and so on. Other GM brands, such as Pontiac, Buick, Olds, etc, would have different first digits. Also, if you find a partial VIN on the rear axle, it would be a first. Never been found there in all the research I've done.

Oh, no prob, Alex. I just thought maybe you were saying that not all Canadian-built Montes had the "Z20" stamped on the cowl tag. Vaughn, thanks for the info. I'll keep my eyes open for your future "W" car.

Agreed. What was Chevy thinkin'????

I'm confused at your statement, Alex. I said in my previous post that only '70 and '71 cars built in Canada have "Z20" stamped in the cowl tag which shows they are SS cars. Are you saying this wasn't always the case? Vaughn, thanks for the info. I knew that the "W" in the VIN of '72 Montes meant either that the car had a 454 or that it was a Custom. I had a 50/50 chance and guessed wrong. Now, answer me this: if you ordered a 454-equippped Monte Carlo in '72, did it automatically come with the "Custom" package?

To add to what Aaron wrote, you won't find anything on the cowl tag* or VIN in '70 or '71 that tells you the car is an SS. You will need a build sheet, Protect-O-Plate (POP) or look for the tell-tale signs of an SS -- parts that only came on SS cars. The tech reference Aaron pointed you to gives you that information. There were also '72 Monte Carlo Customs that could be ordered with a 454. Same rules regarding the cowl tag apply, but I believe (somebody will surely correct me if I'm wrong) that if the VIN has a "W" in it, it is at least a Custom, but may or may not have come with a 454. So really to identify a '72 Custom with a 454, you need a build sheet, POP or some investigative work to be sure. *The exception to the rule is cowl tags on Canadian-built SS cars which should show the Z20 option stamped on them.

That's a pretty early build. The "SS" centered below the trunk lid isn't standard, but I suppose it was possible to have come from the factory that way, being that it is an early build '70 car. It may be more likely that the first owner added this to the car, but again it could've come from the factory this way. When you're doing the restoration, check to see if the mounting of the "SS" emblem looks like factory work, or if someone took a drill and did the work themselves. Your description of the emblems sounds exactly like those used on the front quarters of '70 Chevelles -- like my '70 SS454.

Should be a Delco and the part numbers vary depending on year and which radio exactly, i.e. AM/8-track, AM/FM/8-track, etc. Visit this website for the part numbers and more info: http://www.chevelles.com/radiotech/radiopics.html

I'm looking for an AM/FM 8-track for the restoration in progress on our '70 Monte Carlo. I had the AM/FM 8-track unit in my '70 Chevelle restored and improved by Antique Automobile Radio in FL. They basically replace the "guts" with solid state electronics, 40W X 4, and add RCA inputs for other devices like XM Satellite Radio or an external disc changer. But, on the outside, it looks completely original. I'm extremely pleased with it.

If you're looking for black prima cloth seat covers, I believe your only choice is Cars Inc. Most online retailers carry either PUI or OPG interior products. I don't much care for OPGI and don't know if they make the cloth covers at all. I've spoken to the guys at PUI (they manufactured the vinyl seat covers I used in my Chevelle), and they don't do the cloth seats at all for cars older than '76. But the rest of the interior -- door panels, headliner, etc. -- they DO manufacture and they're my first choice. Besides, I think you'll be happy with the covers from Cars Inc.

The repros can be had most anywhere for about $50 per pair. Again, look under '70 Chevelle exhaust extensions if you don't see a Monte Carlo section on one of these websites: National Parts Depot http://www.npdlink.com Harmon's http://www.harmons.com Year One http://www.yearone.com OPGI http://www.opgi.com True Connections http://www.true-connections.com Lutty's Chevy http://www.luttyschevy.com And there are other places you can try by visiting the "parts" section of this website: http://www.firstgenmc.com/parts.shtml As for the original extensions, I know for sure that you can get them from Lutty's Chevy that I listed above (part number 0958). Their current catalog lists them at $92 per pair, but I know that their price has gone up to, I think, about $150 per pair. You can also try Ebay as they pop up there from time to time as well.

That'll work perfectly. The extensions, whether original or repro are 2-1/2" in diameter.

You can get the original GM exhaust extensions or reproductions. The only difference I know of between the two is that the repros don't have the GM part number on them. The metal on the originals might be better (U.S. vs overseas) quality. Price difference is pretty substantial too. Figure about $150 or more for a set of the originals and about half that for a set of the repros. Let me know if you want to know where to buy the originals. Most places sell the repros. They're also the same extensions as used on the '70 Chevelle SS, so you can also find them on Chevelle parts sites.

I asked this once before and realized it never got answered -- what's the finish on a '70 SS air cleaner? Semi-flat, semi-gloss, gloss??

Like he said, CI wasn't a Monte option, but there is at least one member of this club that has modified their Monte with a functioning cowl induction setup. Not an easy thing to do from what I understand, as it's not as simple as putting a Chevelle CI setup on a Monte.

I can't vouch for the '71, but the '70 should have it on the passenger side valve cover.

ssmonte, I sent you a PM, so check your mail. I believe I found your air cleaner on Ebay and I sent you the link. Not a bad price, but needs restoring. Hurry and check your mail before someone uses "Buy-It-Now" and it disappears... - Nate

ssmonte, I found the correct air cleaner on Ebay for $5. It was listed as being for a '75 passenger or truck with 454 which jives with the GM sticker that was on it. I had the seller take measurements of the snorkel length and diameter of the inlet opening before buying, though, and it was a match. I'll look for the part number on that sticker if I can remember. I think I just ran a search on Ebay for “454 air cleaner”. As for the air cleaners used on ’70 Chevelles, they’re either cowl induction or open air cleaners (see pics). You could use the base of the air cleaners used in conjunction with cowl induction, but the opening of the air cleaner snorkel is round instead of oval and would be incorrect. Cowl Induction: Open Air Filter:

Great pics, mcmonte. That's exactly what I was looking for, and I needed that other info, Rob. Very much appreciated -- you guys just saved me from buying the wrong setup! $$$

Yeah, it's definitely RPO U46. I've got it listed on the build sheet for our Monte (there seem to be ALOT of fiber Monte's here!). Our Monte has the chrome bezels on top of the fenders, but they're not working. Probably missing the fiber lines at this point. The reason I'm asking is because I saw 2 different complete, NOS vigilite systems for sale recently -- 1 with a part number listed for '68 Chevy's and 1 with a part number listed specifically for '70 convertible Chevy's. I'm trying to get pics of the vigilite systems you guys have to see if the different Chevy part numbers the different sellers listed makes a difference or not. Visually both vigilite systems looked the same -- down to the colors of the light indicators inside the chrome bezels. The part numbers were: 987415 -- 1968 Chevrolet Vigilite Lamp Monitoring Unit for Impala & Caprice, but may fit Camaro & Chevelle & 987427 -- 69-72 Chevrolet Chevelle / Camaro Convertible Vigilite Kit So, any pics would be appreciated so I can try and sort this out ... Thanks!

Thanks for the help, Dave & Rob. Would you guys happen to know the GM part number for the '70 Monte/Chevelle/? vigilite system I'm looking for or compatible part numbers? I've found a couple numbers online for a '68 vigilite system and for '69-'72 convertible, but I don't know what the difference is between those and the system I'm looking for.