70 lt1
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Engine suffix codes are a good place to start.My black book shows CTK,CTR,CTU and CTV.(if its ctv the book says its a zr1=$$$$$)It should have a transistor ignition.Look up front left side behind headlights for amplifier.
Some other guys will chime in and give you some other items to check.
Some other guys will chime in and give you some other items to check.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 507
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
...also look for a single fuel line to the fuel pump w/o a return line, and check for HD caps attaching the half-shaft u-joints rather than the U-bolt configuration used on lower hp small blocks. The tach should also be 6500 redline. No AC was offered in LT1's 'cept in '72. Of course, it should also have a big-block type hood that hasn't been drilled for the "454" script. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Take a look at member David Mayhew's posts. He developed a really complete list of things to look for in a real LT-1. It should be fairly easy to find.
Besides 427/435 cars, I think LT-1s are the most frequently 'made-up' cars. It's where the SB $$$ are.
After you've seen the car, you might want to contact Drew Papsun from Connecticut. For many years he's been running a survey on known LT-1 cars. It would be great to know if this car is part of his survey..
I think LT-1's are great cars, good luck!
Regards,
Alan
Besides 427/435 cars, I think LT-1s are the most frequently 'made-up' cars. It's where the SB $$$ are.
After you've seen the car, you might want to contact Drew Papsun from Connecticut. For many years he's been running a survey on known LT-1 cars. It would be great to know if this car is part of his survey..
I think LT-1's are great cars, good luck!
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
1970 LT-1 have K-66 TI ignition, big copper brass raditor, HD caps in side yokes, 6500 red line tach, big 6qt oil pan, and single fuel lines. Most people would need build sheet or other documentation to verify. Even if K-66 amplifier is missing there should be signs of TI wiring harness and other items to help verification of LT-1 Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
If I was looking at a purported 1970 LT-1, the first thing I would look for would be the fuel return line. That is one of the easiest things to check, pretty much proof positive of a fake if it is there, and a very easy thing to overlook if somebody is creating a fake LT-1. If it was an old beat up car... even NOM.. if there was no fuel return line I would be inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. However, if it was a complete frame off concourse restoration then I would be more skeptical and would rely more heavily on documentation.
I have said in the past that if I were buying an LT-1 I would just buy a 72 (engine is in the vin).
I have said in the past that if I were buying an LT-1 I would just buy a 72 (engine is in the vin).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
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Check the tach, the red line should be higher, at least 6500 for a 70 LT1 engine.
probably the best 1970 Vette built and of the LT1`s of any year. No de-tuning of the engine as later ones. ...
Check the tach, the red line should be higher, at least 6500 for a 70 LT1 engine.
probably the best 1970 Vette built and of the LT1`s of any year. No de-tuning of the engine as later ones. ...
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
Is yellow? A convertible, in a barn next to some farm equipment, off the road since '95? We just went through that with one guy, and I don't know if he ever bought it. Next Q is what is it worth- look up 70 LT1 barn find from about 3 weeks ago. Lots of info on the 70 LT1. Good hunting!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
70 lt1 only got ps in later vins and then had a 5 qt pan so steering rod would work, this is what I have been told. remember that 70 was short model year due to GM strike with only 1287 built that year
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
Early 70 LT-1s had a CTU engine suffix and came with 6 quart oil pan. Power steering was not available. Starting in late April, a 5 quart oil pan was used and the engine suffix changed to CTK. Power steering was available with the CTK engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Is yellow? A convertible, in a barn next to some farm equipment, off the road since '95? We just went through that with one guy, and I don't know if he ever bought it. Next Q is what is it worth- look up 70 LT1 barn find from about 3 weeks ago. Lots of info on the 70 LT1. Good hunting!
I'll bite though... how did the "look" go?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I didn't mean to imply that all May LT-1s were CTK, just that the change was begun in late April. I don't think there were any April CTK cars or any June CTU but May could probably be either, particularly early May. When was your engine and car's build?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I keep on hearing that story of "late production" power steering. I only know, I had a late June 70 build LT-1 coupe and it had the 6qt pan my 70 roadster with a F22 (June 22, 1970) build date also has a 6qt pan (and Corvette Steering Service "Jeep box" power steering to keep the wife happy 
) I have yet to see a legitimate LT-1 built in 1970 with power steering on it (except for my "rare" factory prototype roadster, it also has a rare "factory prototype" TKO-600 RR 5 speed option, first one ever donee, Yeah! Yeah! THAT'S THE TICKET!)
1970 LT-1 with power steering? I DON'T BUY IT!
) I have yet to see a legitimate LT-1 built in 1970 with power steering on it (except for my "rare" factory prototype roadster, it also has a rare "factory prototype" TKO-600 RR 5 speed option, first one ever donee, Yeah! Yeah! THAT'S THE TICKET!)1970 LT-1 with power steering? I DON'T BUY IT!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I keep on hearing that story of "late production" power steering. I only know, I had a late June 70 build LT-1 coupe and it had the 6qt pan my 70 roadster with a F22 (June 22, 1970) build date also has a 6qt pan (and Corvette Steering Service "Jeep box" power steering to keep the wife happy ) I have yet to see a legitimate LT-1 built in 1970 with power steering on it (except for my "rare" factory prototype roadster, it also has a rare "factory prototype" TKO-600 RR 5 speed option, first one ever donee, Yeah! Yeah! THAT'S THE TICKET!)
1970 LT-1 with power steering? I DON'T BUY IT!
) I have yet to see a legitimate LT-1 built in 1970 with power steering on it (except for my "rare" factory prototype roadster, it also has a rare "factory prototype" TKO-600 RR 5 speed option, first one ever donee, Yeah! Yeah! THAT'S THE TICKET!)1970 LT-1 with power steering? I DON'T BUY IT!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
It should also have the AIR smog system which all LT-1's had, or if removed, the holes on the manifolds should be plugged.
I've posted these pics before of my friends 70 LT-1 engine but I think this is a good reference for anyone looking at a LT-1. His has the 6 qt oil pan, though he told me that the water pump is not correct at the time I took these pics, but he was replacing it.
Hope this helps.
Good luck, Glenn
I've posted these pics before of my friends 70 LT-1 engine but I think this is a good reference for anyone looking at a LT-1. His has the 6 qt oil pan, though he told me that the water pump is not correct at the time I took these pics, but he was replacing it.
Hope this helps.
Good luck, Glenn