LT-1 Dilemma
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Pickering Ontario
LT-1 Dilemma
Hi Guys,
Need some advice but first some background.
Picked up a 71 LT-1 Corvette this summer. It doesn’t have it’s original block which probably means it no longer can be considered a true LT-1 although it’s retained the heads and manifold. It’s a tired car and needs a lot of work (rust in the windshield a biggie) but I recently came across a local ad for a 71 LT-1 Vette block for a $1,000. The owner is going to provide me the numbers off it so I can confirm.
So my question is: would this be a good investment in the car? It’s unlikely to be the matching engine but would it make it a real LT-1? Or should I just stay on course and put my limited resources addressing the bigger issues as the current engine runs fine.
Thanks for any and all opinions,
Mark
Need some advice but first some background.
Picked up a 71 LT-1 Corvette this summer. It doesn’t have it’s original block which probably means it no longer can be considered a true LT-1 although it’s retained the heads and manifold. It’s a tired car and needs a lot of work (rust in the windshield a biggie) but I recently came across a local ad for a 71 LT-1 Vette block for a $1,000. The owner is going to provide me the numbers off it so I can confirm.
So my question is: would this be a good investment in the car? It’s unlikely to be the matching engine but would it make it a real LT-1? Or should I just stay on course and put my limited resources addressing the bigger issues as the current engine runs fine.
Thanks for any and all opinions,
Mark
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
its no longer the orginal block, no matter how you word it.
its now a non-number matching car.
Not that I would care,... but some do care.
Not worth the trouble in my mind.
its now a non-number matching car.
Not that I would care,... but some do care.
Not worth the trouble in my mind.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Not worth it. Unless you have the numbers restamped they will not match your car. Remember the serial number is stamped into the stamp pad. That is the first thing a numbers guy will check.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
LT-1s had a bog standard basic block, same as every other GM car and truck of the era. The only thing that made them different was what was installed in and them and what got stamped on the pad to reflect this.
What makes you sure that the car you've got is a real LT-1 or the block you're thinking of buying is legit?
No, it doesn't make a car more 'authentic' by putting another NOM in it.
What makes you sure that the car you've got is a real LT-1 or the block you're thinking of buying is legit?
No, it doesn't make a car more 'authentic' by putting another NOM in it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If the replacement block is not correct wrt date codes it will add no value to the car. With reasonable date codes you could have the block restamped to look like the original. Frowned upon by many but done quite often from what I've heard.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Pickering Ontario
Thanks for the great info!
That makes for an easy decision. I’m actually relieved, as I don’t really need it. Just didn’t want to pass up something that could possibly make a big difference. The current block is out of a 72 Chev passenger car which seemed like sacrilege in a Vette. Great to know there’s no real difference.
Mike Ward: Hello to a fellow Canuck! There is some evidence it’s an LT-1 but the only way to prove it, I guess, is to contact GM Canada. I understand we Canadians have an advantage in that we can obtain the records through their vintage vehicle services. It hasn’t really been that important to me at this point as I just like it for what it is, a 71 Corvette.
Really appreciate all the advice. What a great on-line community!
Mark
That makes for an easy decision. I’m actually relieved, as I don’t really need it. Just didn’t want to pass up something that could possibly make a big difference. The current block is out of a 72 Chev passenger car which seemed like sacrilege in a Vette. Great to know there’s no real difference.
Mike Ward: Hello to a fellow Canuck! There is some evidence it’s an LT-1 but the only way to prove it, I guess, is to contact GM Canada. I understand we Canadians have an advantage in that we can obtain the records through their vintage vehicle services. It hasn’t really been that important to me at this point as I just like it for what it is, a 71 Corvette.
Really appreciate all the advice. What a great on-line community!
Mark
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
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Depending on what was done to the block, a 72 Chev passenger car would not be the same block as a 72 LT-1 block.
1. Lt-1 would be a 4 bolt main, passenger car probably 2 bolt.
2, LT-1 would have forged crank, rods, pistons, solid lifter cam. Passenger car would have all cast internals and no solid lifter cam.
1. Lt-1 would be a 4 bolt main, passenger car probably 2 bolt.
2, LT-1 would have forged crank, rods, pistons, solid lifter cam. Passenger car would have all cast internals and no solid lifter cam.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Depending on what was done to the block, a 72 Chev passenger car would not be the same block as a 72 LT-1 block.
1. Lt-1 would be a 4 bolt main, passenger car probably 2 bolt.
2, LT-1 would have forged crank, rods, pistons, solid lifter cam. Passenger car would have all cast internals and no solid lifter cam.
1. Lt-1 would be a 4 bolt main, passenger car probably 2 bolt.
2, LT-1 would have forged crank, rods, pistons, solid lifter cam. Passenger car would have all cast internals and no solid lifter cam.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
I agree but if the OP wants the benefits of a true LT-1 short block assembly he has to check what his current unknown shortblock has and if found deficient he may want to buy a true LT-1 short block. His statement "Great to know there is no real difference" is incorrect.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
1. I agree with what everybody says above. If you buy that block, it will still be stamped with another car's Vin derivitive. it is the 1st thing anyone buying your car would look for.
2. why replace your 350, ( probably stamped from another car), with another used 350 ( stamped from another car) that you have no idea what it needs, it is just a backward move.
3. 1000$ ?? those blocks are a dime a dozen and 1000$ is triple what you should be paying for it.
4. the only upside here is if that block is dated within 3 months of your car's build date. Then you would have to erase it's existing stamp pad, you would have to find someone to broach and stamp your new engine's pad. Plan on 4 figures for that, plus 500$ round trip shipping, then consider the ethics issue, plus rebuild the block.
5. windshield rust is your primary problem and where there is windshield rust, there is almost always frame rust and birdcage rust. This issue will hang over your head thruout your entire ownership, as well as make your car unsafe. I am not intending to be brutal, but I advise you to sell for whatever you can get.
2. why replace your 350, ( probably stamped from another car), with another used 350 ( stamped from another car) that you have no idea what it needs, it is just a backward move.
3. 1000$ ?? those blocks are a dime a dozen and 1000$ is triple what you should be paying for it.
4. the only upside here is if that block is dated within 3 months of your car's build date. Then you would have to erase it's existing stamp pad, you would have to find someone to broach and stamp your new engine's pad. Plan on 4 figures for that, plus 500$ round trip shipping, then consider the ethics issue, plus rebuild the block.
5. windshield rust is your primary problem and where there is windshield rust, there is almost always frame rust and birdcage rust. This issue will hang over your head thruout your entire ownership, as well as make your car unsafe. I am not intending to be brutal, but I advise you to sell for whatever you can get.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Pickering Ontario
Thanks Joewill,
Fortunately the rust is confined to the windshield frame and is in the process of being repaired. The frame and the rest of the birdcage have been inspected and have been deemed in good condition.
Mark
Fortunately the rust is confined to the windshield frame and is in the process of being repaired. The frame and the rest of the birdcage have been inspected and have been deemed in good condition.
Mark
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Pickering Ontario
Not selling. Looking forward to many years of fixing and driving. Had a 77 Vette back in the early eighties and always wanted one again. Sold my 68 GS and traded a 63 Riviera for this one. More work than anticipated but that's my own fault as I was a little too trusting of the previous owner. Fortunately I enjoy working on my cars so I'm sucking it up and rolling up my sleeves.
Hope everybody doesn't mind me posting lots of questions in the future as I'll need the help.
Thanks,
Mark
Hope everybody doesn't mind me posting lots of questions in the future as I'll need the help.
Thanks,
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
I'll add a thought with a slightly different slant... if you're going to put a lot of work, (you said you're rolling up your sleeves), into this car, then it might be nice to put together a LT-! motor for it.... if you become CONVINCED it IS an LT-! car.
I don't see anything wrong with making an LT-! motor to go in a real LT-! car. That's far different than making a non LT-! car into a LT-! car.
I hope you post pictures of your work because it's fun to see what people are doing.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I'll add a thought with a slightly different slant... if you're going to put a lot of work, (you said you're rolling up your sleeves), into this car, then it might be nice to put together a LT-! motor for it.... if you become CONVINCED it IS an LT-! car.
I don't see anything wrong with making an LT-! motor to go in a real LT-! car. That's far different than making a non LT-! car into a LT-! car.
I hope you post pictures of your work because it's fun to see what people are doing.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Pickering Ontario
Thanks Alan!
The few Corvette people who've seen the car are convinced it's a LT-1 but I'll need to get GM Canada to confirm that. Supposedly the block was built to the LT-1 specs with the original heads and manifold reused but I have no proof short of taking it apart. Not really into that as it runs well enough and there's more pressing issues to get the windshield taken care of.
I'll try posting some pictures if anyones interested but I should probably start a new thread. If someone wants, I can take pictures of specific areas that might help prove or disprove what i have. Could be entertaining!
Mark
The few Corvette people who've seen the car are convinced it's a LT-1 but I'll need to get GM Canada to confirm that. Supposedly the block was built to the LT-1 specs with the original heads and manifold reused but I have no proof short of taking it apart. Not really into that as it runs well enough and there's more pressing issues to get the windshield taken care of.
I'll try posting some pictures if anyones interested but I should probably start a new thread. If someone wants, I can take pictures of specific areas that might help prove or disprove what i have. Could be entertaining!
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Mark,
Call George Zapora at GM Canada in Oshawa with your VIN. He'll advise if your car started life in Canada or not. If so, for a reasonable fee he'll put together a statement showing the options it was built with and the original dealers name and address.
If it's not a Canadian car there's plenty of clues nonetheless to be fairly confident that it's a real LT-1 , or LT-! as Alan always calls them.
The engine block is not really the difficult or expensive bit to find if you decide to return it to original config.
Call George Zapora at GM Canada in Oshawa with your VIN. He'll advise if your car started life in Canada or not. If so, for a reasonable fee he'll put together a statement showing the options it was built with and the original dealers name and address.
If it's not a Canadian car there's plenty of clues nonetheless to be fairly confident that it's a real LT-1 , or LT-! as Alan always calls them.
The engine block is not really the difficult or expensive bit to find if you decide to return it to original config.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
LT-1s had a bog standard basic block, same as every other GM car and truck of the era. The only thing that made them different was what was installed in and them and what got stamped on the pad to reflect this.
What makes you sure that the car you've got is a real LT-1 or the block you're thinking of buying is legit?
No, it doesn't make a car more 'authentic' by putting another NOM in it.
What makes you sure that the car you've got is a real LT-1 or the block you're thinking of buying is legit?
No, it doesn't make a car more 'authentic' by putting another NOM in it.
Niether motor would go back into my Vette with the crappy TRW pistons and weak pink rods. Looking for a proper core block today isn't easy as circle trackers have almost exhausted the supply of good cores. Take some photos of the motor your looking at and post them, we will give you our opinon on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mike,
You're the first person to ever mention it.... to me they really are LT-!, not LT-1!!!!!!
The very first time I heard one I knew that they were something VERY special from Chevrolet!!!!
Regards,
Alan
You're the first person to ever mention it.... to me they really are LT-!, not LT-1!!!!!!
The very first time I heard one I knew that they were something VERY special from Chevrolet!!!!
Regards,
Alan