Hello all, I am in the process of purchasing a 1969 Chevelle ss 396. I was curious as to what common problems exist with that certain year and also with chevelles in general. I have never owned a chevelle before and am curious so when I get it, I will know what to look out for. Thanks, Jeremy

Jeremy:
Welcome to Team Chevelle - the best site going!

I would suggest reading as much as you can from this site, including SS Identification (http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html) and other artciles in the restoration shop link from the main page of Team Chevelle. If you get all the information off of the cowl tag and and the VIN number and post it in the Tag Team foum, we can decode a lot about the car as it was originally from the factory. Note that 300 Deluxes can be Super Sports in 69 (only), so if you run across what appears to be a clone on a base model, it could be real.

Something to look for: The 68-72s are notorious for leaking around the bottom corners of the rear window, check out this area well.
Good Luck - you got the right make and model in mind http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Ron Cook TC Gold #1276 ___ ACES #5136
1969 300 Deluxe HTSS396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied4.jpg) The L35-325HP 396cid (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied3.jpg) 69 Memory Lane (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied.jpg) 1971 Malibu 2DR HT (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/bow_tied_71Malibu.jpg)
CanAm Chevelle Club (http://www.canamchevelles.com) _____________"Take my advice, I'm not using it."

[This message has been edited by Bow_Tied (edited 04-29-2002).]

Another common problem, hot engine restarts. This is more true with big block cars. Sometimes after driving the car for a while, it will not restart immediately due to a condition known as heat soak. The starter simply will not turn over until the car has cooled down some. This problem is usually easily fixed with a fresh starter (NEW, NOT Autozone rebuilt!) and some sort of heat shield between the starter and the exhaust system.

One of the main problems with these chevelles is neck snapping. Driving down the street really tends to hurt peoples necks as you drive by. And I can see why too. Every damn time I floor the pedal I snap my own neck. So make sure you got high back buckets in that 69. 68's had no head rest..

Chevelles are chick magnets although I need to bring mine in to check the polarity.
I've only caught one and cant get her to go away. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Chris

Haha, thanks for the reply Chris...I will keep that in mind when I pick it up.

Jeremy

They also repel money. You see, one side attracts women and the other pushes money away. Strange how the cash just seems to fly outta my pocket. Im the poorest guy with the hottest chick in town. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Midnight Marauder (edited 05-02-2002).]

Notorious problems you may want to avoid: cracked frames, usually in the front end near where the frame bends up around the front suspension, rust, usually below the rear window corners as well as at the bottom of the front fenders and rear quarter panels.

Mike

P.S.-One other problem that musclecars are known for is they suck in all your money like a black hole, never to be seen again http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif