1972 lt1
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2016
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1972 lt1
I am considering the purchase of a 1972 LT1 Corvette. This is a solid lifter engine. My two questions are as follows: How often do solid lifters need adjusting and what numeric or letter codes identify an LT1 engine. My background is centered around Pontiacs so any help in identifying a true LT1 Corvette is appreciated. Thanks, Joe Slatkiewicz, Taunton, MA.
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I am considering the purchase of a 1972 LT1 Corvette. This is a solid lifter engine. My two questions are as follows: How often do solid lifters need adjusting and what numeric or letter codes identify an LT1 engine. My background is centered around Pontiacs so any help in identifying a true LT1 Corvette is appreciated. Thanks, Joe Slatkiewicz, Taunton, MA.
Solid lifters should be adjusted when they start clacking. You will hear it. How often you adjust depends on how hard and how often you drive it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
Welcome!
First Post!
And looking at an LT-!. VERY NICE!
One of the first things you'll want to check after looking for the "L" on the vin tag on the a-pillar is the stamp pad on the engine.
You'll be looking for several things:
The 'assembly stamp' will contain the date the engine was built and a 3 letter 'broadcast code' indicating what 'configuration' the engine was built in.
The 'vin stamp' will identify the car this engine was first installed in and should match the vin tag on the a-pillar information.
You'll also want to consider the appearance and condition of the surface of the stamp pad to try assess whether it has been 'worked on' since the block was first machined.
The letter 'L' on the vin tag will tell you if this car was built as an LT-!, while the information on the engine stamp pad will help you determine if it still has it's original engine.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The pad location in front of the right side head.
Welcome!
First Post!
And looking at an LT-!. VERY NICE!
One of the first things you'll want to check after looking for the "L" on the vin tag on the a-pillar is the stamp pad on the engine.
You'll be looking for several things:
The 'assembly stamp' will contain the date the engine was built and a 3 letter 'broadcast code' indicating what 'configuration' the engine was built in.
The 'vin stamp' will identify the car this engine was first installed in and should match the vin tag on the a-pillar information.
You'll also want to consider the appearance and condition of the surface of the stamp pad to try assess whether it has been 'worked on' since the block was first machined.
The letter 'L' on the vin tag will tell you if this car was built as an LT-!, while the information on the engine stamp pad will help you determine if it still has it's original engine.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The pad location in front of the right side head.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 15, 2016 at 08:58 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Trust me, I've years of experience behind me. You'll be rasseling with those stupid things every week. You don't want this thing, believe me.
Do you have the number for the seller handy?
Do you have the number for the seller handy?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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I have a 70 LT-1 short block and adjust valves every 12,000 miles which is many years for me. There is a paper on how to correctly adjust the valves cold.
http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...n/SBvlvadj.pdf
http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...n/SBvlvadj.pdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi rs,
You'll probably be tightening the screws on the Holley fuel bowls a lot more often the you'll be adjusting the valve!
Thankfully it's a lot quicker and easier!
Please lot us know about the car if it becomes yours!
Regards,
Alan
You'll probably be tightening the screws on the Holley fuel bowls a lot more often the you'll be adjusting the valve!
Thankfully it's a lot quicker and easier!
Please lot us know about the car if it becomes yours!
Regards,
Alan
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