1968 Corvette Tripower project
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
1968 Corvette Tripower project
Hey, I just bought a 1968 Corvette Tripower L71 project car, and I need some advice on what I should do with my engine. I thought the car was numbers matching because I was told it was a #matching restoration block. Does that mean numbers matching?
Also, if it is not matching, the engine is shot and will need a total rebuild. Should I just buy a new engine or rebuild it knowing that it is not numbers matching. Please give me some suggestions. Thank you
Also, if it is not matching, the engine is shot and will need a total rebuild. Should I just buy a new engine or rebuild it knowing that it is not numbers matching. Please give me some suggestions. Thank you
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Its almost impossible to say..
The question is for you only to answer.
Some people want matching numbers and restoration to the extent where the car almost cannot be driven any more.. -Hey just think if i wear out that original clutch.. -or have to replace the power cable from the battery.. -And so on.
Personally i think that the value of the car is to drive it and if i need to change out some items to make it a "good ride" i will do so.
Well its easy for me to say who started of with a non matching mumbers, no tank-sticker car..
//Edit:
On the other hand i have a friend who has a all matching numbers 1966 C2 convertible who has replaced the 427 and manual gearbox with a 502 RamJet crateengine and a auto trans.
He likes the "hotrod" he created but still have the original engine and parts resting in the garage to follow the car in the future.
//Ricky.
The question is for you only to answer.
Some people want matching numbers and restoration to the extent where the car almost cannot be driven any more.. -Hey just think if i wear out that original clutch.. -or have to replace the power cable from the battery.. -And so on.
Personally i think that the value of the car is to drive it and if i need to change out some items to make it a "good ride" i will do so.
Well its easy for me to say who started of with a non matching mumbers, no tank-sticker car..
//Edit:
On the other hand i have a friend who has a all matching numbers 1966 C2 convertible who has replaced the 427 and manual gearbox with a 502 RamJet crateengine and a auto trans.
He likes the "hotrod" he created but still have the original engine and parts resting in the garage to follow the car in the future.
//Ricky.
Last edited by RickyBerg; Jul 13, 2011 at 03:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
So far as whether to buy another engine or rebuild this one, depends on what you want to do with the car. If judging is important to you a "restoration" block will fly in NCRS flight judging with only minor deductions for the stamp pad. A block with the wrong casting number is a big deduction. If originality or judging are not important, it's a matter of which is cheaper, a new engine or rebuild this one. Either way the car will not be accepted by collectors with an engine which is known to be a NOM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
The car has the tank sticker which states that it is a tripower corvette. Also the car has the correct casting numbers 3935439 block. How much does a correct engine hurt the value of the car?
Last edited by Dirtdigger04; Jul 13, 2011 at 10:50 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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...Does that mean numbers matching?...
...if it is not matching...Should I just buy a new engine or rebuild it knowing that it is not numbers matching...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
IMO this makes as much sense as devaluing the car because the brake rotors were changed. Difference is the engine block carries a serial number which can be used to detect a replacement. The way the market works.
An authentic tank sticker provides evidence of how the car was built originally, used as evidence a matching numbers block may be the original though not proof. You may find buyers who will accept the tank sticker with a 'correct' but not original block.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Savannah GA
It no longer has the block it was born with, so do whatever you wish with the engine that's in there. If you frag it, find another "matching" block and you'll still have exactly what you have now. No harm, no foul.
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From: Southbound
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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