Cowl Hood
 

I am starting some research for a potential build and I know that NHRA states that you cannot use a Cowl Hood for a 69 Camaro with the 350/255hp. I have researched the White book for Camaros and all over the Internet and do not see anywhere from Chevrolet stating that you could not order a cowl induction hood for this combo. I am aware that if you ordered a SS option you would get that hood with that package. I see that if you order the Z28 package it does not come with the cowl hood but from personal experience of seeing a build and order sheet for a Z28 you could get that hood even though it did not come with the option. Can someone please point me in the right direction for this info. I know there are a ton of racers that lived through this era. Thanks

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Hi Ron! The cowl hood became available after Jan. 1 1969 as an option on SS Camaros, Z/28 Camaros and I believe they were Std. Equipment on Copos. I'm not absolutely positive about the Copos but if I'm wrong, I'm sure that someone will let me know. As the 350/255 was the highest HP engine available in a "base" Camaro, it wouldn't have been available with the cowl hood option. The std. hood on any SS regardless of engine would have been the "porthole" hood. The std. hood on a Z/28 would have been a flat hood as it wasn't an SS.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

GM did not have a cowl hood option on the 255hp engine. 300hp option yes but not 255. just fyi... this is a dead horse, but if you want to keep beating it have fun cause they(NHRA) don't care lol

Re: Cowl Hood
 

I have spoken to old sales persons that sold these cars in 69 1 guy particular swears he sold those hoods on everything except to 2 bbl cars never made an air cleaner setup for that carb/ hood set up. What I don’t understand is there is an option for just hood with no mention that cannot be on s 255 just looking for Chevrolet info seems like a lot of hearsay no difinitive evidence please some prove me wrong so I can plan properly

Re: Cowl Hood
 

The cowl hood was an option on Z-28, SS, Pace Cars and standard on COPO's the 350/255 was not available in any of those combinations

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Ron, this ship has sailed. This was NOT a knee jerk reaction from NHRA. You could contact Jerry McNeish, he is highly regarded as an expert on 69 Camaros. NHRA may have consulted him before they made their decision ?

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Ron...Check out : Camaro.org (Camaro Research Group)
You will find all the information you need, the site is extremely informative. The Cowl Hood was the ZL2 option. All the COPO's and ZL1 cars came with them, as Standard equipment. Those cars all had Holley's and a sealed to hood air filter assembly. I bought a 69 SS 350/255 , TH350 column shift and 10 bolt. It Originally came with the porthole hood inserts.
I am currently building a Hugger Orange ZL1 Clone out of it (beyond Bucket List). Hope this helps...Maurice.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Ron, look up the Camaro Research Group (CRG). Yes there is actually one. If you join from what I understand they can get you that answer. Barry ----- Maurice you beat me by a couple of minutes

Re: Cowl Hood
 

I recall this question being discussed on this site a few years ago ... lots of debate and info was offered. In the end however if we want to play in the NHRA sandbox ... well you know the rest LOL.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Anyway year ago when I raced a 350/255 my brother and I did the hood swap at the track to see if it was worth anything. With the cowl hood and air cleaner base we felt at the most .04. With the flat hood now that you can run an after market air cleaner base there is no advantage. BP

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Maurice, Barry
Thank you for that info I have a fiend looking to redo a 69 convertible (like the one I raced for years with the cowl hood) that came with the 255. He says that it came with the Cowl Hood and I could not find anywhere that says he is either right or wrong, that is why I am asking. I have not seen anything from GM that states that you could not either get or was not available anywhere I have looked. Thanks again

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Ron... Hurdles, Where would we be without them. I built a 1968 Nova Super Stocker, with a 1970 402-375. I have the taillight, marker light and instrument cluster issue. I wish I could find documents that read "It's a 68-72 Nova, forget about it".
I don't know how people would respond. Any opinions on an old topic? MB.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

The reason that you cannot use a cowl hood on a 350/255 combination is that the 350/255 engine option was cancelled, during the model year, before the cowl hood was released.
The two never existed at the same time on the Camaro RPO list so the two options were never available together on a car.
It is as simple as that.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

The 350 255 hp LM1 engine was only available in the three first months of the model year. The first 69 Camaro with the special ducted hood was delivered to Fred Gibb Chevrolet on 12/31/1968 and was ZL-1 car number one.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Rob,
The first (2) 69' ZL1 Camaro's with the "Special Ducted" hood was delivered to the Fred Gibb Dealership in La Harpe, IL. on Dec.31,1968.
They were both Dusk Blue with Turbo 400's.
Vin#1-569358
Vin#2-569359

Re: Cowl Hood
 

If the color of the parking or marker lights, or the instrument cluster make a performance difference than I am missing something. Now to find somewhere to test!

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Uh, you forgot to mention ignition key location....LOL!

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Well they didn’t say anything about it sooo- I didn’t want to ah muddy the waters any more!

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Barry,
Any Air cleaner base is legal? Rule book says OEM configuration or type OK, just no mods. Good to know.
MJ

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Shipping charge on a 69-72 door would be more than on a 68 too ;-)

Re: Cowl Hood
 

My 69 Z-28 was a n early production and the Cowl hood was not an option at that time. We raced it till the end of the season with a flat hood.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Thank you for all of this sounds like a 350/255 is a rare piece. My buddy is trying to figure this all out

Re: Cowl Hood
 

They are rare and desirable, but difficult to document, unless you have the original engine is still in the car, the POP or some other original paperwork.

They were called the poor mans' racer, as they were cheaper than the small block SS and without the added weight.
They came with a 12-bolt and could be ordered with a dual exhaust.
A few aftermarket upgrades and you had a real sleeper.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

This combo is not rare and fairly common. Just need to use the 441 head and a flat hood.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

May have been fairly rare as a factory installed combination, in the staging lanes, not so much!

Re: Cowl Hood
 

You are correct. That was my original combination until the hood became illegal.
And, as I wanted to keep my cowl hood, I now run the 350/300 combination.

I still have the bare 441 heads in my basement, from the 300/255 in my basement if anyone is interested.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Who's buying Lunch and were did my Hood go. Do the 255 hp. Same E.T. if you want to pay 16 hp? you can have a cowl hood. ill pass.

Re: Cowl Hood
 

Odered 1969 SS 396/375 Camaro in Jan. 1969. Cowl hood was avail. as option on SS package, as stated LM1 option already discontineud by then, so no LM1 and cowl hood could have been produced. But Jerry would know for sure. Tony Tosto, ps still have orig. smog system off my car if any interest, 314 660 5684.