1lkydog

New member. Read alot of posts. This is my first question. Looking at a 1970 coup. Would like to know how to tell what engine should be in car. vin # 194370S405663 which I think tells me its a chev corvett coup 1970 built in St.Louis. Do not have engine # but it has a 454 in it but that still would not tell me if it is correct engine for car. Any help thanks Gary.

Mashman

They didn't start using engine codes in the VIN until 72.

You need to look at the front passenger engine pad area of the block. If you are standing by the right front tire, look down where the head meets the engine block. You should see 2 groups of numbers. One will tell you where/when/and for what the engine was built for, and the other will contain a serial number matching the serial number of the car it was built for. This second number should end with the same numbers as the VIN (in your case - 05663).

BBCorv70

It's sequential number 5663. Probably built shortly after mine, 5512. Can't tell from the VIN whether it was built with a 454. Check the stamp pad in front of the right cylinder head. It should have the last six digits from the VIN stamped there, 405663... OR was it the last five digits? 05663?
Not a guarantee it's not a restamp made to appear to be the original.
Other clues are the hood, same as found on the LT1.
Tach should red line at 5600 RPM (going from memory).
Differential has caps holding the u-joints to the differential, not u-bolts.
Rear sway bar. Wider radiator and support, 27 1/2 inches. Any of these parts could have been put on to make it appear to be factory.

Are you looking for a numbers car or just wondering if it may be a big block upgrade?

Easy Mike

The VIN will not tell you which engine was originally in the car.

You can check what is in it now. There is a pad on the block at the front of the right head. Engine code (large characters) and VIN derivitive (small characters) will be stamped there. AIR and AC can make the pad difficult to see and you may need to clean road gook off of it.

69 big block shown; 70 pad stamps will be similar.

GD70

If it's a true BB car, it should have a rear sway bar, though that could be installed at any time. I also believe the caps on the universals on the 1/2 shafts are heavy duty, and not bolted on with a strap.
I'm sure 70 BB owners will chime in with other tell tale signs.
As stated above, Check the numbers on the pad & windshield pillar.
This is an early build, 5 thousand, six hundred and sixty third, (5663), built in February.
Post some pics, which can help members give you good feedback.
Good luck.
Glenn

spinadog

Post pics and me and other '70 big block owners can comment. 70 BB owners are a relatively small club with only 4400 or so made. There's also a few early/late '70 clues to look for such as reverse lights being concentric patterned rather than cross-hatch. BBcorv70 & GD70 have highlighted the major differences for sure.

joewill

The engine that should have or would have been in it would be 1 of 4 possible.
either a 350 engine that was rated at 300, 350, or 370 HP. the 300 and 350 had a rochester quadrajet carb and the 370 HP had a holley carb. the big engine it might have had was a 454 with rochester quadrajet and chrome valve covers.

4 possible engines, hope that answers your question.

there are many different observations that one could see that would narrow down what engine may have come in the car.
the main ones are spring rates, radiator size, radiator support size, tachometer redline, fuel line characteristics, size and presence of front and rear stabilizer bars, and how the half shafts are bolted to the rear end yokes. others include hood, tag on the shifter console, documentation of the car, owner testamonials.....

Easy Mike

I'm with you, GD, but I get first week of March, 1970. Last February car was #5183; last March car was #7977. #5663 is 480 into the first week of March.

GD70

Ahh, I misread the numbers in the Black Book, you are correct.
Thanks, Glenn

Easy Mike

First time today........

1lkydog

Numbers car does not matter. Wondering if car came with a 454 engine. could make a differance in offering price. Not claming to be # matching car. Say they don't know. Have no pictures. Will know more after I see it. This info should help. If car is what I hope things will work out. Thanks for all the help Gary.

Jughead

What does the tag on the console say? Although that can be replaced too.

Solid LT1

All 1970 Covettes were factory equipped with 370HP LT-1 350 motors just some have now been changed out for different motors over the years

You need to look at tach RPM redline, fuel lines, differential among other things to determine a motor application for a 70 Vette. If there is a transistor ignition amplifier on the front driver's side ahead of the radiator support, you might have hit the jackpot on your Vette.

Post some photos of your Vette for all of us experts to look at and we can better steer you in the right direction.

1lkydog

I have not seen this car yet. Only infomation I have is from ad that said its a 454. Didn't say how much hp, but did give a vin #. Hope to see this car soon and should be able to see what it is with the imformation I have received. Thanks again for the help. Gary

Easy Mike

Check the pad on the engine block when you go. Take a notepad, pen, and a small flashlight.