Hello all, a quick question for the experts
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands TX
Hello all, a quick question for the experts
Looking to get my first Vette.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Looking to get my first Vette.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Looking to get my first Vette.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
I know of no reliability problems. Some of the higher performance versions may require more attention...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Yeah, you could get a factory big block w/ A/C, and I don't know of any problems specific to havinge A/C. The big blocks should be just as reliable as a small block, but a little harder to work on, especially w/ A/C, due to less room in the engine compartment. In your area, finding one w/ Vintage Air, or similar a similar aftermarket unit already added may not be too hard either.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,936
Likes: 3,344
From: NYC NY
Looking to get my first Vette.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
I'm pondering an early year C3 in a big block. It looks like for 68 and 69 there were several big block options.
The question, is there any 1 motor I should stay away from due to reliabilty issues?
Also, I'm really interested in reliability with out alot of tinkering as I'm not wanting to spend much time under the hood.
Also I've noticed most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems mechanically speaking.
Any other advice you could provide on things to look out for would be welcome.
P.S. this would be just a weekend car with several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K
Thanks in advance.
"most big blocks were not optioned with AC, since I live in Houston, would adding a vintage air pose any problems "
"several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip and i'm lookin to keep the cost under 30K"
Buy a C5 Z05 and it solves all those issues with about 5K left over for whatever future issues or improvements you chose.
Sorry but the truth be told a real nice big block with A/C even in this "depressed market" is going to chew up that budget if it meets all your criterior. Any big block car is going to be 40 years old and unless it has had a fresh frame off with everything rebuild it's going to need "tinkering". If it's "frame off completely restored numbers match" it's not going to be 30K. On top of that you can't expect a 40 year old stock A/C and cooling system to be as efficent as a C5.
I'm not trying to be negative or burst your bubble but hoping you will realize what is involved to meet your goals and budget as well.
Good luck in your search where ever it takes you.
Oh and in NO way am I an expert. That's just IMCO.
Last edited by 3JsVette; Mar 4, 2012 at 09:47 AM. Reason: added the disclaimer
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
BB`s everywhere
all kinds of BB`s with air conditioning, its just not available with the high revving 4 bolt main solid lifter engines unless you make it yourself....Chevelles, Camaros, full sized Chevys and Corvettes....there all over the place......from 65-74......And don't be afraid to add air to HP engines ither....I added or used AC with L-88`s and never had any problems except finding the 100+ octane fuel that should be used with them.....
I forgot one element...buy a new or newer AC equipped Vette as suggested above and enjoy it...otherwise build or buy a C-3 BB trailer queen
I forgot one element...buy a new or newer AC equipped Vette as suggested above and enjoy it...otherwise build or buy a C-3 BB trailer queen
Last edited by Ironcross; Mar 4, 2012 at 10:18 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 22
From: Crystal Lake IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
repairs can really add up if you have to rely on a shop for repairs. just because they are the experts, they will charge $120 hr and a frame-off is $50k minimum. you may want to find a local expert forum member and avoid the shops for repairs, maintenance and upgrades.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
No disrespect, but a nice 68 or 69 air conditioned big block will likely exceed your $30K budget.
Good reading here:
FWIW: if gasoline prices keep going up, you will want to take another look at a thousand mile cruise in a big block.
Good luck with the hunt.
Good reading here:
FWIW: if gasoline prices keep going up, you will want to take another look at a thousand mile cruise in a big block.
Good luck with the hunt.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I'm all for having the right person connect with the right car. But given all your criterion, I would politely offer that Kerbeck Corvette has a 2002 Z06 available with 8,732 miles for $29,990.
If I wanted "...reliability with out alot of tinkering...", "...AC, since I live in Houston" and were driving "...several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip..." it'd be an absolute no-brainer.
A 1969 big-block Corvette would consume you.
If I wanted "...reliability with out alot of tinkering...", "...AC, since I live in Houston" and were driving "...several trips during the year at up to 1000 miles round trip..." it'd be an absolute no-brainer.
A 1969 big-block Corvette would consume you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Welcome to the movies.
Does your $30k "cost" limit apply to the price of admission...or does it include as many trips as necessary to the concession stand? If you want a reliable '69 BB and are not interested in tinkering yourself, then you would be better off looking for a non-pedigreed car with a properly rebuilt replacement or crate engine...along with most everything else of a mechanical and electrical nature having already been dealt with correctly. Forget the documented original drivetrain route. If you start out being smitten with pretty new paint and interior...for $30k you will likely come up short in the reliability department. As far as those long trips go, real bikers have a saying "But the chrome don't get ya home."
BTW, I would consider myself an expert. I happen to have a PhD in '69 BB Restoration, having spent the last 8 years attending the University Of Laying On Your Back Under The Filthy Leaking Unrestored Car With Bloody Knuckles. I'm into mine $55k hard money and it appears to finally be reliable...I hope. At least I don't have an A/C system to worry about fixing. Another $15k for paint, chrome and interior...then it can finally win that $20 trophy at a local beauty contest! At least I saw one just like it sell at Kissimmee for $70k.
Does your $30k "cost" limit apply to the price of admission...or does it include as many trips as necessary to the concession stand? If you want a reliable '69 BB and are not interested in tinkering yourself, then you would be better off looking for a non-pedigreed car with a properly rebuilt replacement or crate engine...along with most everything else of a mechanical and electrical nature having already been dealt with correctly. Forget the documented original drivetrain route. If you start out being smitten with pretty new paint and interior...for $30k you will likely come up short in the reliability department. As far as those long trips go, real bikers have a saying "But the chrome don't get ya home."
BTW, I would consider myself an expert. I happen to have a PhD in '69 BB Restoration, having spent the last 8 years attending the University Of Laying On Your Back Under The Filthy Leaking Unrestored Car With Bloody Knuckles. I'm into mine $55k hard money and it appears to finally be reliable...I hope. At least I don't have an A/C system to worry about fixing. Another $15k for paint, chrome and interior...then it can finally win that $20 trophy at a local beauty contest! At least I saw one just like it sell at Kissimmee for $70k.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: MA
I'm not an expert, and don't mean to come across rude, but it seems that you dug yourself a small hole with all the criteria you want. Best thing is not to look for an all original car. If you can get past that, you should be good. Anything you buy will most likely need work. You can get a shop to maintain it, but it will be a lot cheaper just to do so yourself. I'm doing a top end engine rebuild right now for just over a thousand dollars. That includes all the parts and a little bit of labor that a friend is giving me a hand. If I were to bring it to a shop I'm looking way over 2 grand. Good luck in your hunt. 
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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Likes: 5,243
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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For 68 and 69 the 427/390 has a single carb which makes it a bit simpler than the tri-carb, 400/435 horse cars. AC was available with the 390 and 400 horse cars but would likely exceed your $30,000 if you want an original car. The 390 horse is a very civil big block that makes plenty of low end torque.
They are all old cars and you will need to tinker.
They are all old cars and you will need to tinker.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Welcome to the movies.
If you want a reliable '69 BB and are not interested in tinkering yourself, then you would be better off looking for a non-pedigreed car with a properly rebuilt replacement or crate engine...along with most everything else of a mechanical and electrical nature having already been dealt with correctly.
If you want a reliable '69 BB and are not interested in tinkering yourself, then you would be better off looking for a non-pedigreed car with a properly rebuilt replacement or crate engine...along with most everything else of a mechanical and electrical nature having already been dealt with correctly.
