C2 L76 engine
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Cumming Ga
C2 L76 engine
I have a 64 with the 365 hp engine. Mine is very grumpy in traffic and doesn't like starts and stops. Is that normal or do i have a tuning or other issue? Thanks, Tim
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Cumming Ga
It really starts pulling hard about 4500. I was thinking if it would be a good idea to take out this original engine and get a 383 to drive around in, keeping the original intact. Just beer drinking thinking!
Tim
Tim
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From: Cottonwood AZ
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The correct rear end is likely the answer to your problem. What ratio do you have? You really need a 3.70 or a 4.11 if you have a close ratio trans. If you want a more highway friendly (80 mph for two hours or more) then a 3.36 rear end ratio with a wide ratio trans that has a lower 1st gear will be better for take off and more pleasant for long freeway type trips.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,267
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From: Cumming Ga
That makes sense. I am not sure what rear i have but I did some speed checks a couple of years ago and it seems to a 3:08. It is very hard to get the car going.
It is the original engine, 'rebuilt to original specs' as they said when i bought it but not sure what is really in there of course. I have had this car for about 7 years.
Thanks,
Tim
It is the original engine, 'rebuilt to original specs' as they said when i bought it but not sure what is really in there of course. I have had this car for about 7 years.
Thanks,
Tim
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
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2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
Swapping the L76 solid lifter cam for the L79 hydraulic lifter cam would make the car a lot easier to drive at lower speeds and in traffic. For that matter there are lots of cams that would have more low end torque than the L76 cam. Easier than an engine swap.
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From: Cottonwood AZ
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Check with your local Corvette club. There are plenty of old members that likely aren’t working on them themselves so they should know where to direct you for a GOOD person to do it for you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Redacted
Hey Tim, I also have '64 L76....Id start by verifying your rear gear ratio in addition to verifying your timing. These motors are fantastic, but can be real dogs if the timing isn't set up correctly. For what its worth, mine is bone stock with the addition of long tube headers and pulls hard above 2000 RPM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Cumming Ga
thanks for the comments guys. I did get a timing light and i think it is ok. Most likely the gearing i'll get it out and figure it out when it stops raining here in GA.. It's just a bear to get going. When i bought the car it was a garage queen. In the first few months i owned it i fixed a bunch of mecanical issues like clutch, fuel pump, fuel sender, and an interesting issue where the water pump gasket was blowing out, turns out the previous owner was trying to put original parts on it and put a new water pump but someone had left the bolts from an aftermarket one that bottomed out, blew several gaskets before i figured it out by luck when i went to put on an original fuel pump that the previous owner provided and the bolts were not right, as the flanges were different sizes. Also rebuilt the carb wrong jets and metering rods were installed.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
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From: Uniontown Ohio
I had a 64 L76, and currently have a 65 L76, They work best with a 3.70.or 4.11 rear end. I have a 3.55 in my 65 and it is OK also, but I wouldn't go any higher. A blueprint 383 with any rear end would be awesome. The torque is amazing right out of the hole and the roller cam simplifies maintenance. Plus it works on pump gas. If I were younger I would do it in a heart beat. Tremec TKX also. It was built to drive so do it. You only live once. (by the way i'm almost 77)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: New Baltimore Michigan
I have a 64 L76, that had a 67 pig with a non posi 3:08 rear end in it, I took it in & had a 3:70 posi put in which really woke the car up, but in doing so raised my highway rpms, as it obviously would, so now I'm thinking a 5 speed trans would really be what that logical next step is as I look at the car as a toy to have fun in, not a historical preservation exercise that needs museum curator approval to do as I please.
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From: Madeira Beach, FL
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Tim,
I have a 65 L-76 with 76,000 original miles. It has a Holley double pumper/dual feed replacement carb, installed and rebuilt and tuned prior to my ownership, and tube headers.
I pump the pedal twice and it roars to life consistently. I live in Fla so no warm up required although I let it run a few before taking off.
Mine idles smoothly at 900 rpms and has no issues in local traffic at all. It does come on as you wind her out. I would do as suggested above.
I have the factory installed 3:70 rear and the 4 speed trans.
Gearing and tuning may be the solution.
HTH,
Marshal
I have a 65 L-76 with 76,000 original miles. It has a Holley double pumper/dual feed replacement carb, installed and rebuilt and tuned prior to my ownership, and tube headers.
I pump the pedal twice and it roars to life consistently. I live in Fla so no warm up required although I let it run a few before taking off.
Mine idles smoothly at 900 rpms and has no issues in local traffic at all. It does come on as you wind her out. I would do as suggested above.
I have the factory installed 3:70 rear and the 4 speed trans.
Gearing and tuning may be the solution.
HTH,
Marshal
Drifting<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/2k-3k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Here's a good thread I referenced when I set the timing on my '64 L76:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...be-set-at.html
Patrick
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...be-set-at.html
Patrick
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From: Cottonwood AZ
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
What kind of a remark is that? It sounds to me like it has been identified and will be confirmed that the car has WAY to high of a rear end ratio. This will of course make the car hard to take off from a dead stop and has NOTHING to do with the OPs ability to drive his car.
many guys that have engines that need to run in the higher rpm range don’t know how to drive the cars. Same as 1st Gen Camaro guys with 302s.
can not even suggest option unless the OP knows what rear end ratio he has.
Last edited by Vega$Vette; Jan 10, 2022 at 10:08 PM.