Verifying a '70 454
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
Verifying a '70 454
There have been several posts on verifying an LT-1 that I have found very informative. I'm wondering if someone can post similar information on things to look for on a 454. Not sure how much varied from year to year, but the car I'm looking at is a '70 454.
Thanks,
Paul
Thanks,
Paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Well, you have 4 engines available in a 1970 model. If this car is missing its original engine. Items to look for would be half shaft U joint caps instead of u bolts, but again that only eliminates the ZQ3 and L46 engines. LT-1 and LS5 had this feature. If it only has one metal fuel line along frame, this would indicate LT-1 as the other 3 engines use a return line. If it has 2 metal lines but they are closer to the fuel pump location on block, this would indicate an LS5, and would eliminate the ZQ3 and L46 engines as their location is different in respect to the fuel pump. I believe the radiator support is dimensionally bigger on the LS5 than the ZQ3, L46 & LT-1 engines.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
Paul,
I don't have much to offer, but if you do not have the NCRS technical manual and judging guide it is definitely worth getting. It helped me immensely while searching.
I was distracted by a local 454 car also. It was a 71 coupe that needed paint. Otherwise un-abused, 4 sp with air. I am guessing I could have gotten it for around 18, maybe less.
How many of these things are you going to end up with? Or are you in transition?
I don't have much to offer, but if you do not have the NCRS technical manual and judging guide it is definitely worth getting. It helped me immensely while searching.
I was distracted by a local 454 car also. It was a 71 coupe that needed paint. Otherwise un-abused, 4 sp with air. I am guessing I could have gotten it for around 18, maybe less.
How many of these things are you going to end up with? Or are you in transition?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Well, you have 4 engines available in a 1970 model. If this car is missing its original engine. Items to look for would be half shaft U joint caps instead of u bolts, but again that only eliminates the ZQ3 and L46 engines. LT-1 and LS5 had this feature. If it only has one metal fuel line along frame, this would indicate LT-1 as the other 3 engines use a return line. If it has 2 metal lines but they are closer to the fuel pump location on block, this would indicate an LS5, and would eliminate the ZQ3 and L46 engines as their location is different in respect to the fuel pump. I believe the radiator support is dimensionally bigger on the LS5 than the ZQ3, L46 & LT-1 engines.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Only cars with a Holley carb. came with a single fuel line.
As far as I know in 1970 only LT-1 had a Holley
In 1971 the LT-1 and LS-6 had Holley's.
If original pipes , they should be 2.5"
Seems like the front coil springs would have to be stiffer for a big block.
Not sure if there is a coil diameter to measure or not.
Others with a big block hopefully will add additional detail on this point.
David
David
As far as I know in 1970 only LT-1 had a Holley
In 1971 the LT-1 and LS-6 had Holley's.
If original pipes , they should be 2.5"
Seems like the front coil springs would have to be stiffer for a big block.
Not sure if there is a coil diameter to measure or not.
Others with a big block hopefully will add additional detail on this point.
David
David
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
Thanks for the info guys.
Greg, I have one car right now; a '71 LT-1. I'm looking for a second, at the moment I'm thinking either a 454 or another LT-1. I have 2 boys and looking for a second car....something i can work on over the years with each one of them. At least this is the story i tell my wife. 
PM sent. I may be interested in that 454 if this other one i'm looking at doesn't pan out. I'd be interested in learning what you know about the car and why you passed on it.
How many of these things are you going to end up with? Or are you in transition?
I was distracted by a local 454 car also. It was a 71 coupe that needed paint. Otherwise un-abused, 4 sp with air. I am guessing I could have gotten it for around 18, maybe less.
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CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,325
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Paul, I don't know enough to asist you, but that looks like a real nice engine compartment......good advice from the other member, an NCRS judgeing guide will help alot. Good luck, john
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
I can't remember the details but some if not all 70 454/390hp LS-5s came with a dual snorkel air cleaner and a chrome lid. They might have changed somewhere in the middle of production??? Still have mine.
Also no A.I.R pump, and no exhaust manifold plugs. Looks like I see one on the above picture?
Bullshark
Also no A.I.R pump, and no exhaust manifold plugs. Looks like I see one on the above picture?
Bullshark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
I stand corrected. MY LS5 has two fuel lines, supply and return, as it should. It has been a while since I looked at it. Guess my old memory has crapped out!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
BTW Bullshark,after vin # 12,000 the 70 454 had the dual snorkle air cleaner.
