71 lt-1?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
71 lt-1?
I bought my first ever corvette. A 71 that needs some work. Have not driven it yet. Can't wait for the rush. Want to restore it to original, but different from factory. It is suppose to have the original 350 engine / 4spd transmission. Shifter console ID plate states it is a 350/330. Has a different year hood, and a Eldelbrock high-rise intake maniford & carburator - no ID numbers on engine up front. Build sheet on top of fuel tank, or behind dash - have not check there yet. Any way of checking VIN to know what this car came with? Any other car parts that may ID this car as an LT-1? Different radiator, fuel tank, tach from the base model? Was not planning on buying this car, but could not stand to see it waste away. Just had to save a 40 year old piece of history. Got a Corvette place for it to be restored correctly in stages - due to cost. Thanks for any and all helpful information out there.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,734
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If it's the original engine there has to be a letter code, CGZ, on a block pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head. VIN doesnt tell you what engine.
Last edited by MelWff; May 27, 2011 at 11:45 AM.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Here's a list from a popular C3 registry with option info. Just scroll down to your year:
http://corvettec3.ca/options.htm
http://corvettec3.ca/options.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi bd,
2 good things to look for to begin to determine if a 71 car was delivered with an LT-! option are 1. signs of a fuel return line on the passenger side frame rail, (LT-1 fuel pumps had a supply but no return), and 2. signs of a transistor ignition amplifier on the left side apron in front of the core support, (TI was part of the LT-! option).
Good Luck.... it certainly would be nice to have found an LT-! car!
Regards,
Alan
2 good things to look for to begin to determine if a 71 car was delivered with an LT-! option are 1. signs of a fuel return line on the passenger side frame rail, (LT-1 fuel pumps had a supply but no return), and 2. signs of a transistor ignition amplifier on the left side apron in front of the core support, (TI was part of the LT-! option).
Good Luck.... it certainly would be nice to have found an LT-! car!
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,681
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
Hi bd,
2 good things to look for to begin to determine if a 71 car was delivered with an LT-! option are 1. signs of a fuel return line on the passenger side frame rail, (LT-1 fuel pumps had a supply but no return), and 2. signs of a transistor ignition amplifier on the left side apron in front of the core support, (TI was part of the LT-! option).
Good Luck.... it certainly would be nice to have found an LT-! car!
Regards,
Alan
2 good things to look for to begin to determine if a 71 car was delivered with an LT-! option are 1. signs of a fuel return line on the passenger side frame rail, (LT-1 fuel pumps had a supply but no return), and 2. signs of a transistor ignition amplifier on the left side apron in front of the core support, (TI was part of the LT-! option).
Good Luck.... it certainly would be nice to have found an LT-! car!
Regards,
Alan
Also, the base L-48 350 4 speed's, without AC, used a 19" wide aluminum radiator without side tanks and an expansion tank. The LT-1 used a 26" copper radiator, with side tanks. This radiator was also used with air conditioned 4 speed 350's and all 350's with an automatic.The LT-1 exhaust pipes will come out of the manifolds as 2" pipes, and then widen to 2 1/2", for the length of the system. L-48's had full 2" exhaust.
The LT-1 had a 6 qt oil system (5 qts in the pan and approx. 1 in the filter). The pan used with the LT-1 has a sump that runs about 2/3's of the length of the oil pan.
I think the LT-1 also used the heavy duty rear end side axles. These use a cap and bolts, to secure the half shaft u-joints, the the rear. Regular side axles use u-bolts to attach the half shafts.
Good luck with the 71.
