Good Afternoon.

Finally, curiosity has gotten the better of me today, so I decided to drop my fuel tank to find the original equipment sticker of my 69 convertible stingray. Sadly, the sticker is long gone. Apparently, the gastank has been repaired before (many years ago) and the sticker removed.

Is there any other way to properly identify what the original components were on my car, i.e. engine, transmission, etc. etc.....?

The previous owner passed away a few years ago and I have no other way that I know of to find any additional information. She had an L89 427 sitting on an engine stand that I got also when I puchased the car. The story I was told that was the previous owner (whomever owned the car before her) blew the motor, so he temporarily had a 350 installed just to get back on the street ASAP.

There are 9 leaves in the leaf spring pack in the back, and the shifter console is marked with the L71 id numbers (i.e. 427 - 435 hp).

Any information that is offered would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

 

There are lots of clues about original drive trains. But, it takes a knowledgeable person to know what all to look for and what the clues add up to. Have you considered finding someone at a Corvette Club or Corvette repair shop to look the car over with you? If you fill out your profile and location you might even get a volunteer.
Regards,
Alan

 

Check for the emission label on the firewall, if present, it has a 2-letter code that will narrow down the engine options.

Steve

 

The 427/435 would have had a rear sway bar (called a stabilizer bar in the Assembly Manual). Also, the U-joint would be different I think. I believe the 427 U joints had caps on the spiders, the SB cars had a U shaped bar. The 427's had different radiator shrouds, but that probably has been removed.

 

is your VIN on the 427 pad???????

 

Thanks for the responses.

I do have a qualified individual about to perform some restoration work on the suspension and interior of the car at the end of this month. He has two 1954, two 1963, a 67, and 2006 vettes; the first 5 of the 6 are all NCRA Topflight cars, so I think he should be able to help.

I was just trying to do a little research before hand.

I don't believe that the L89 that I have was the original motor out of the card, but I do believe the lady who owned the car before me, was under the impression that the L89 was the original engine that came in this car.

I do know, that the transmission that is currently installed isn't the original. I've already had that one out and had to rebuild it (due to me destroying first gear within the first week of having the car).

The car was literally sitting in a barn, and hadn't been moved in years. I had been by once or twice helping her husband get the car started, just so it wouldn't rot (He lost one of his legs a while back and couldn't push the clutch in).

Anyways, he approached me about purchasing the car, and from an investment standpoint, I thought it sounded like a great idea.


Thanks for all the help, and I'll keep in touch with everyone to see what becomes of this car.