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Old May 30, 2006 | 12:06 PM
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Default Need help identifying engine

I have found an engine that is advertised as an LT1 but the codes don't seem to match an LT1.

Stamps are:
Block 3970010 with a date of A252 which is Jan. 25,1972.
Cylinder Head P/N 3973487 with a date of A282 which is Jan. 28,1972. Intake Manifold P/N 3959594

Engine suffix is V0128CTL

What are your thoughts? Is it a genuine LT1?
Thanks,
Steve
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Old May 30, 2006 | 12:23 PM
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According to the Mortec Website (which is reliable to the best of my knowledge) those head numbers are in fact for 1971 and '72 LT1s. Those block numbers, again according to Mortec, were used on small block Chevys with THREE different displacements; 1969 Z28 (302) Camaros, 327 trucks (????) and 1969 to 1980 350s. So I guess you could be lookin' at the real deal.

Last edited by Chilli; May 30, 2006 at 12:30 PM.
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Old May 30, 2006 | 12:50 PM
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Thanks Chilli.

What is concerning me is they say it is a 72 Vette LT1. From what I can find, that suffix does not match a 72 LT1 for a Corvette.
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Old May 30, 2006 | 12:52 PM
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For Corvette, CTL indicates a 1970 base 350/300. CTL has other applications for GM after 1970. Based upon casting dates, I'd say this engine is not Corvette.
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Old May 30, 2006 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
For Corvette, CTL indicates a 1970 base 350/300. CTL has other applications for GM after 1970. Based upon casting dates, I'd say this engine is not Corvette.
Could be a Camaro LT1 engine (not sure if Camaros had LT1s after '71). In any situation, it's probably a rare motor, but not a really powerful one. The '72 Vette LT1 was rated at 255 net hp (about 306 gross hp), I believe. Given the fact that Camaros often receive "watered down" renditions of Vette engines, that motor could have less than 250 net hp. By comparison, the first Vette L82 (1973) had 250 hp.
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Old May 30, 2006 | 10:47 PM
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CTL in 1972 would indicate a 165 HP 2-bbl. 350 with an automatic from a Camaro, Chevelle, Monte Carlo, or an El Camino. The 3973487 heads were also used on engines such as this with smaller valves than the LT-1, so the only thing you can say for sure is that it has an LT-1 intake manifold.

Rich
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Old May 30, 2006 | 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by MidShark
CTL in 1972 would indicate a 165 HP 2-bbl. 350 with an automatic from a Camaro, Chevelle, Monte Carlo, or an El Camino. The 3973487 heads were also used on engines such as this with smaller valves than the LT-1, so the only thing you can say for sure is that it has an LT-1 intake manifold.
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