C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

big block identification

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 14, 2006 | 08:53 PM
  #1  
tonyro's Avatar
tonyro
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Default big block identification

Are there any big block only tell tale signs. What differentiates a big block rear suspension from a small block? My car has a sway bar in the rear. Is there anything else I can look for?
Thanks
Tony
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2006 | 09:39 PM
  #2  
Sayfoo's Avatar
Sayfoo
Safety Car
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Default

I believe that big block cars have steel retainer blocks--can't remember the correct terminolgy right now--and french locks, rather than u bolts on the half shaft u joints.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2006 | 11:15 PM
  #3  
tonyro's Avatar
tonyro
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Default

Are there any other suggestions?
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2006 | 11:19 PM
  #4  
CAGregK's Avatar
CAGregK
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: El Cajon CA
Default

The BB and LT1 cars had cap style ujoint retainers on the differential yokes and also a small rear sway bar. The french locks were on all the cars. If it's a 68 or 69 the rear end is ID coded for HD applications.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 06:58 AM
  #5  
Jughead's Avatar
Jughead
Senior Member since 1492
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

I think most BB's and LT-1's had one fuel line, no return. Check the tach too.

71 LS6 had 6500

all LS5s had 5600 redlines.

Last edited by Jughead; Oct 15, 2006 at 07:04 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 07:33 AM
  #6  
Secret Squirrel's Avatar
Secret Squirrel
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
Default

Seven valve cover bolts and not four
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 09:00 AM
  #7  
tonyro's Avatar
tonyro
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Default

Is there a difference in u-joints on the half shafts? I don't have the original engine but is there something up front I can look for? I can email photos of the underneath for some help.
Thanks,
Tony
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 11:27 AM
  #8  
gator79's Avatar
gator79
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Default

Originally Posted by Jughead
I think most BB's and LT-1's had one fuel line, no return. .
my 71 LS5 has a return line
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 04:53 PM
  #9  
Sayfoo's Avatar
Sayfoo
Safety Car
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Default

Originally Posted by gator79
my 71 LS5 has a return line
My 69 390 hp also
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 05:03 PM
  #10  
tonyro's Avatar
tonyro
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Default

I have been told that the big blocks had different style u-joints. Does anyone have a picture of what these should look like?
Tony
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2006 | 05:11 PM
  #11  
gator79's Avatar
gator79
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Default

Originally Posted by Jughead
I think most BB's and LT-1's had one fuel line, no return. .
just reading that again kinda made me laugh, mine has a return line but I bet it never gets used that thing can suck all the gas the pump can give it
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 12:38 AM
  #12  
wfo76's Avatar
wfo76
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
Default

BB

68-69 1 fuel line except 390 hp
70-74 2 fuel lines
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 12:43 PM
  #13  
corvetteload's Avatar
corvetteload
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Default

Did 69's have a rear sway bar? AM doesn't show one and my 69 390 hp 427 has no rear sway bar.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 12:57 PM
  #14  
427basketcase's Avatar
427basketcase
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Default

Here is a big block rear end, notice the cap on the U-Joint vs a strap
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 01:23 PM
  #15  
FrankVincent's Avatar
FrankVincent
Account disabled by user request 5 Jan 09
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
Default

(quote)Did 69's have a rear sway bar? AM doesn't show one and my 69 390 hp 427 has no rear sway bar.(unquote)

The rear stabilizer is located in the rear of the AIM (for 1969, look under UPC L36, B1 for the bar)

(quote)I have been told that the big blocks had different style u-joints. Does anyone have a picture of what these should look like?
Tony(unquote)

As for the rear shaft differences, if you have a 1969 AIM, you can see the differences. Small block used a U-bolt (UPC4, A2) while the big block used a cap (UPC L36, B7)
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 04:33 PM
  #16  
tonyro's Avatar
tonyro
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Default

what does the cap look like? I can't really see in the previous picture.

Thanks,
Tony
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 04:50 PM
  #17  
harrin's Avatar
harrin
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
Likes: 19
From: Oshawa
Default

Originally Posted by gator79
my 71 LS5 has a return line

Mine does as well
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2006 | 05:35 PM
  #18  
fotyfobravo's Avatar
fotyfobravo
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Default

There may not be a logical answer, but here goes. I just crawled under both Vettes. My 72 base 350 coupe...CDJ engine prefix code...vin 1z37k2s526612...matching block....has the exact same u-joint connectors (inboard pumpkin end) as my BB 74.

CAPS...no Straps.

Did all go to caps after 69?


Last edited by fotyfobravo; Oct 16, 2006 at 05:38 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2006 | 01:28 PM
  #19  
corvetteload's Avatar
corvetteload
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Default

Yes Frank, I see it now, and yes, my 390 has one-checked last night....B
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To big block identification





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE