correct engine
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,172
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi jw,
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 6, 2014 at 08:22 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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cbutorrect engine
Hi jw,
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I think the brass cylindrical expansion tank was for big blocks with AC.
Maybe someone else could verify.
Without the original engine, I see the only advantage of having been originally built with a big block being the big block parts may still be there, making restoration a bit cheaper. Fewer parts to chase down. The value would be determined by the market interested in a driver, not an original.
One could go the unethical route as well, buy a restamped block and sell it as an original. There are vendors offering this service calling them restoration engines. Trouble if the seller gets caught representing it as 'original'.
Maybe someone else could verify.
Without the original engine, I see the only advantage of having been originally built with a big block being the big block parts may still be there, making restoration a bit cheaper. Fewer parts to chase down. The value would be determined by the market interested in a driver, not an original.
One could go the unethical route as well, buy a restamped block and sell it as an original. There are vendors offering this service calling them restoration engines. Trouble if the seller gets caught representing it as 'original'.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
It's what ever you want it to be at this point. Resto mod, Vortec or LS it, Without tank sticker or other stuff to verify ....it can be anything your heart desires. When it lost it's engine ...it lost the part that seperated it from a base car. I'm advocate of 72 up as collectables . The vin ., at least proves it was equipped at birth with a certain motor.
Without the original drivetrain , it's just any other corvette IMO.
I would not pay BB price without the original drivetrain.
Without the original drivetrain , it's just any other corvette IMO.
I would not pay BB price without the original drivetrain.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 328
From: Indy Indiana
A 70 that was a big block originally will have stiffer front springs, larger sway bar in front, sway bar in back, heavier fasteners on the half shafts, bigger radiator, big block hood to fit taller engines..... and other characteristics to make it more desireable than a base engine car..
I have argued this in the past also that I would pay incrementally more for these characteristics than I would a base engine car if both were NOM.. not a lot more.. but more.. maybe 10% giving all other equal parameters.
I have argued this in the past also that I would pay incrementally more for these characteristics than I would a base engine car if both were NOM.. not a lot more.. but more.. maybe 10% giving all other equal parameters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
A 70 that was a big block originally will have stiffer front springs, larger sway bar in front, sway bar in back, heavier fasteners on the half shafts, bigger radiator, big block hood to fit taller engines..... and other characteristics to make it more desireable than a base engine car..
I have argued this in the past also that I would pay incrementally more for these characteristics than I would a base engine car if both were NOM.. not a lot more.. but more.. maybe 10% giving all other equal parameters.
I have argued this in the past also that I would pay incrementally more for these characteristics than I would a base engine car if both were NOM.. not a lot more.. but more.. maybe 10% giving all other equal parameters.
Much depends on what the buyer wishes to do with the car. It has no value to the crowd who buys only 'originals'. Its market is the crowd who buy drivers.
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tach red lines
Hi jw,
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
The 1970 VIN won't give you any engine information. That started in 1972.
The tank sticker glued to the top of the gas tank has the information, but isn't readily available.
There are some hints in the engine compartment like the type of radiator, the tachometer red line in the interior, the type of fasteners used on the half shafts, and the presence of a rear sway bar.
I don't really think it matters much at this point if it was a bb originally or not…. it wouldn't bring a dollar premium with the original engine missing, and you can make it a bb if you want to.
Regards,
Alan
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 60
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More about correct engine. Just looked at ^ vette again, found engine code, but can not find correct engine for the code. The number is V0428TAX. Can not find the TAX. Did I get all the number John.