My engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
My engine
Well DB has me started on the radio. Now time to learn about my engine. Here it is, not a pretty as some of yours. But maybe in time. I know almost nothing about engines so feel free to educate me on anything you see. I know from my mechanic that it runs "rich" and moves a lot of gas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
I Don't see anything bad, A few aftermarket items Distributor, air cleaner, and pcv valve hose missing I would get an engine repair book on your year and a chevy sbc rebuild book, I think this will be a good start into this vette madness
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Are the books for sale on the forum here okay? I'll do a search online as well but I quickly looked at the available manuals/references for sale here. If anyone recommends them let me know.
BTW - this forum is awesome. You guys rock. I think the best part is when someone gets to the next stage of their rebuild or finishes something and gets like 20 compliments from the forum crew. How could you not want to finish your project?
See you in Carlisle I hope
BTW - this forum is awesome. You guys rock. I think the best part is when someone gets to the next stage of their rebuild or finishes something and gets like 20 compliments from the forum crew. How could you not want to finish your project?
See you in Carlisle I hope
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Looks good. A few things as mentioned...the PCV valve. Get your mechanic to hook it up or tackle it yourself. It just needs to connect to a vacuum port on the carb or the tree on the back of the manifold.
Make sure you have the PCV valve on the driver's side and a breather on the passenger side, and plug any other holes in the valve covers.
I see there is a tiny pool of oil in one of the valleys next to the intake bolts. That usually means sealant was not used when the intake was bolted down.
Simply unbolt them all, add sealant, and re-torque them.
Finally, and very important, get rid of that flex fan and spacer. Replace it with a stock style clutch and 7 blade fan...or an electric. Those flex fans have a reputation for loosing blades which punch holes in hoods and fenders.
Good luck,
Matt
Make sure you have the PCV valve on the driver's side and a breather on the passenger side, and plug any other holes in the valve covers.
I see there is a tiny pool of oil in one of the valleys next to the intake bolts. That usually means sealant was not used when the intake was bolted down.
Simply unbolt them all, add sealant, and re-torque them.
Finally, and very important, get rid of that flex fan and spacer. Replace it with a stock style clutch and 7 blade fan...or an electric. Those flex fans have a reputation for loosing blades which punch holes in hoods and fenders.
Good luck,
Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Are the books for sale on the forum here okay? I'll do a search online as well but I quickly looked at the available manuals/references for sale here. If anyone recommends them let me know.
BTW - this forum is awesome. You guys rock. I think the best part is when someone gets to the next stage of their rebuild or finishes something and gets like 20 compliments from the forum crew. How could you not want to finish your project?
See you in Carlisle I hope
BTW - this forum is awesome. You guys rock. I think the best part is when someone gets to the next stage of their rebuild or finishes something and gets like 20 compliments from the forum crew. How could you not want to finish your project?
See you in Carlisle I hope
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
I can’t believe no one has jumped on him over the fuel filter.
Edit>>> That looks like a Big block fan shroud....My original small block fan shroud looks diffrent?
Edit>>> That looks like a Big block fan shroud....My original small block fan shroud looks diffrent?
Last edited by Theiskell; Jul 29, 2008 at 09:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
thanks. I'll need to do some research (find some good manuals) to do some of that work.
The pool of oil is the one under the air filter correct? What sealant brand is recommended (I assume I can buy at any auto supply place)?
I'll definitely look into the fan replacement. Thanks for that good bit of info.
Also - does anyone know why the tach was never hooked up? The gang that sold it too me indicated it was due to the electric start put in. Interior I have no tach, no clock and of course, DB we know about the radio.
The pool of oil is the one under the air filter correct? What sealant brand is recommended (I assume I can buy at any auto supply place)?
I'll definitely look into the fan replacement. Thanks for that good bit of info.
Also - does anyone know why the tach was never hooked up? The gang that sold it too me indicated it was due to the electric start put in. Interior I have no tach, no clock and of course, DB we know about the radio.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
I would give it a little more time....Rickster- you are off to a much better start than some of us. You have more right than wrong, so it's only a few little things for now. At least you are up and running
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Your fan shroud is probably correct. It looks like the one that was on my 70 when I got it. My 70 was a base car, 350/300 with a 4 speed and no AC. I am guessing yours in close to that because of the radiator shroud. If you are going to keep the mechanical fan I believe I would look into finding a clutch fan. Yours is way better than mine was when I got it. Keep at it and have fun with the car. One small project at a time and you get it where you want it eventually. I still find things I would love to do to mine. Just have to find time to do them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
But longer you own it and love it the more you will try top make it just right. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
The glass or plastic fuel filter has been the subject of several safety threads. (an inside joke) On learning about the engine one of the best thing you could do is join a local club. You will find people who have the same interest as you and be willing to teach you. Some good basic hands on experience with someone who knows what they are doing will be priceless. Like the others have said you have a great platform to start with and it sounds like you are willing to learn. So dig in and get your hands dirty. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Thanks everyone. Some good stuff here. I plan to tackle one at a time for sure. First is the radio, since we have it running, would be nice to have the tunes to go with it.
Last edited by Rickster - C3 69; Jul 30, 2008 at 08:21 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
Don't get all hyped about originality unless your after a show car. These things are 40 yrs old 
Do what you think is right to suit yourself. After all the fun is in the cruise, so make it run right & have fun 
When you lift the hood most wouldn't know what's original anyway
Do what you think is right to suit yourself. After all the fun is in the cruise, so make it run right & have fun When you lift the hood most wouldn't know what's original anyway
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Thanks. I plan on being in Carlisle on the Friday of the show (maybe more days if we really don't get enough on Friday). But I plan to talk to as many people as possible and take a lot of pictures of cars for ideas. I'm really psyched to go. Probably most of you guys wouldn't believe that I live only 20 minutes from Carlisle (been here since 92), have always wanted a Vette, but have never been to the show.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I agree with al the above comments. You are at a good start point.
The tach probably wasn't connected to the HEI distributor when it was installed. I didn't notice if there is a tach cable hanging loose coming out of the firewall.
Once you really start to clean everything under the hood, it will look much better right away.
Is the block numbers matching? It appears you have an LT-1 intake on there and who ever replaced the air cleaner specifically put a 370 horse power sticker on there. Does it have a Holly or Quadrajet carb? LT-1's were officially offered in 1970, but could be dealer installed in 69. A friend of mine has one. Just curious.
Glenn
Edit, just saw your other thread re: rebuilt to LT-1 specs.
The tach probably wasn't connected to the HEI distributor when it was installed. I didn't notice if there is a tach cable hanging loose coming out of the firewall.
Once you really start to clean everything under the hood, it will look much better right away.
Is the block numbers matching? It appears you have an LT-1 intake on there and who ever replaced the air cleaner specifically put a 370 horse power sticker on there. Does it have a Holly or Quadrajet carb? LT-1's were officially offered in 1970, but could be dealer installed in 69. A friend of mine has one. Just curious.
Glenn
Edit, just saw your other thread re: rebuilt to LT-1 specs.
Last edited by GD70; Jul 30, 2008 at 09:24 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
I believe (from what I have been told and how it was advertised) that it was a re-built engine to LT-1 spec. This didn't mean anything to me, I was shopping for a driver, within specific model years (1969-1972) - wanted chrome bumpers, look of the C3 and "Stingray" insignia on sides (eliminated the 68 off my list). My mechanic who looked over the car after I purchased it, said the carburator and cam were likely put in to match up. I could not tell you what brand each is (I need a map just to identify them!). But not a numbers match by any means: engine doesn't match, paint does not match for sure - should be silver, but I love the blue.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If you can look at your engine using these pics for guides, can you get us these two numbers for block identification?
Block Casting Number:
Block Date Code:
Here is a view of the back of a bare block. The part where the numbers are cast is the part that the transmission bolts to. You may have some grime to clean off before you see them and GM had a habit of sometimes moving the date code around so you might have to search. Using these numbers we can help you figure out exactly what your engine is and when it was cast.
Closer view of the casting number.
Closer view of the date code.
Block Casting Number:
Block Date Code:
Here is a view of the back of a bare block. The part where the numbers are cast is the part that the transmission bolts to. You may have some grime to clean off before you see them and GM had a habit of sometimes moving the date code around so you might have to search. Using these numbers we can help you figure out exactly what your engine is and when it was cast.
Closer view of the casting number.
Closer view of the date code.