Blown Engine
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Blown Engine
I have a 1975 convert. Numbers match....now that the engine is blown....what do i do to keep it matching.
the mechanic I bought it from suggested puutting in a 400 hp engine.
I would like to finish restoring it (the outside is perfect, new paint)
and sell it in a few years...
what effect will this have on resale...numbers matching etc and what engine would anyone suggest?
the mechanic I bought it from suggested puutting in a 400 hp engine.
I would like to finish restoring it (the outside is perfect, new paint)
and sell it in a few years...
what effect will this have on resale...numbers matching etc and what engine would anyone suggest?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,110
Likes: 9,424
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
you can look for a dated correct 350 block for your car. but that can open a big can of worms for some people
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Define "blown"...?? Did you put a supercharger on it? 
Why don't you just rebuild the engine? Or, you could set that engine aside and buy a new one. If you sell it again, just include the old engine in case someone wants a numbers matching car. Without that engine, any value related to originality will be gone but maybe that's not important to you.
Why don't you just rebuild the engine? Or, you could set that engine aside and buy a new one. If you sell it again, just include the old engine in case someone wants a numbers matching car. Without that engine, any value related to originality will be gone but maybe that's not important to you.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Does matching #'s really mean anything on a 75 anyway? I know it significantly would affect the value of my 68 if it wasn't the original motor, but if my 80 or 81 didn't have the original motor I don't think it would matter much because those aren't really sought-after years. Where does 75 fall into the mix?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Does matching #'s really mean anything on a 75 anyway? I know it significantly would affect the value of my 68 if it wasn't the original motor, but if my 80 or 81 didn't have the original motor I don't think it would matter much because those aren't really sought-after years. Where does 75 fall into the mix?
Additional info... 89k on the engine.
thanks for the replies
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Well, it's a convertible so that adds a lot of value even if it is a rubber bumper car, and it will be worth even more in the future. Kind of a tough call. IMHO your mechanic is probably giving you pretty good advice. If you do drop in a crate engine, keep that original engine like he suggests. There are a lot of C-2s today that would be worth a lot more money if the original engine could have been kept with the car. Most owners didn't think to do that because they weren't vintage collector cars way back then and were pretty common. Sorry to hear that happened. Hope everything turns out ok whatever you decide.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,329
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Whatever you decide, DO NOT get rid of the "blown" engine. Keep the block and whatever parts you can. It may be salvagable. If it is, it needs to be reinstalled. Even if you decide to try this down the road. That would be the only way to keep your 75 numbers matching / original drivetrain. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
Whatever you decide, DO NOT get rid of the "blown" engine. Keep the block and whatever parts you can. It may be salvagable. If it is, it needs to be reinstalled. Even if you decide to try this down the road. That would be the only way to keep your 75 numbers matching / original drivetrain. Good luck.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I would look into rebuilding your engine especially if the rest of your car is fairly original. It is a convertible and 1975 was the last year you could get one. To me that makes rebuilding an option worth looking into.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: Kingston Ontario
Does matching #'s really mean anything on a 75 anyway? I know it significantly would affect the value of my 68 if it wasn't the original motor, but if my 80 or 81 didn't have the original motor I don't think it would matter much because those aren't really sought-after years. Where does 75 fall into the mix?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
My '70 blew the original engine - parts of the pistons were in the oil pan. Yes, it could have been rebuilt but there was a potential for a future overheating problem - therefore, put in a crate engine 350-330hp. Saved some parts but not all - why, we have some very good engine builders in this part of the country (NASCAR etc) and they did not recommend rebuilding because of future overheating problems. Does
#'s matching mean much - yes, to an all original car - no, if you don't
care if the car is historically correct. Do you want a old engine that runs good or a new engine that's fast and dependable? I also have a 1975 that is all #'s matching - no one cares now and won't probably for about 10 years. Therefore, go for the new engine and enjoy your car now.
#'s matching mean much - yes, to an all original car - no, if you don't
care if the car is historically correct. Do you want a old engine that runs good or a new engine that's fast and dependable? I also have a 1975 that is all #'s matching - no one cares now and won't probably for about 10 years. Therefore, go for the new engine and enjoy your car now.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,329
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
absolutely!!!!!!!!! Why would someone comment on a 75 not being worth anything?????????? By the way , I also have a 68 and 69, all original drivetrain, but I would never look down on someone elses year.....give me a break, all vettes are "sought after".............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Does matching #'s really mean anything on a 75 anyway? I know it significantly would affect the value of my 68 if it wasn't the original motor, but if my 80 or 81 didn't have the original motor I don't think it would matter much because those aren't really sought-after years. Where does 75 fall into the mix?
Opps, didn't realize it was a vert. Might make a small difference if the #'s match.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
"not sought after" - "perhaps" he means/knows that the chrome bumper
cars are the most sought after because they are classics and they command more $'s. Chrome bumpers are classics - "74 & up are Sexy
and do go fast -yes, my '75 goes fast enough for me and gets 18-20 mpg.
cars are the most sought after because they are classics and they command more $'s. Chrome bumpers are classics - "74 & up are Sexy
and do go fast -yes, my '75 goes fast enough for me and gets 18-20 mpg.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Right now, a matching engine in a '75 doesn't add a lot of value to the car. But, who knows in 10 years what that would do for the value? Matching numbers on '71-'73s didn't mean much until 5 years ago. I suggest that you keep the block/parts...IF the block can be salvaged and you have a place to store it. If you are planning to work the engine hard in your car, I recommend that you put a crate engine back in it. If you just want to drive/show the car, you can do the same or rebuild the original engine. I would not rebuild/reinstall the original engine if you intend to race/drag the car regularly. {Just some additional input to consider.}
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
I just insured two vettes with the same coverage as my daily drivers only with no deductible for a total annual cost of $300/year. Definately worth taking a look at