mercedeschickenman

I am looking at a very original 1970 350/350. It does have a big block/LT1 hood without the "454" emblems. The owner told me that in 1970 Chevrolet ran low on small block hoods and substituted big block hoods withot the 454 numbers. Can anybody verify this?

jhudec

Never heard of that.
Post some close up pics if he is stating that all the paint is also original.

Easy Mike

Corvette Myth. Swapping the LT1/BB hood for the stock low rise hood was popular back in the day.

mercedeschickenman

Well, guess I better do some more investigation. The label on the console reads 350/370 hp and 11:1 compression. The tach is a 65oo reline. He is advertising it as a 350/350.

Alan 71

Hi mcm,
Welcome!!!
First post!!!!
Maybe a new old Corvette for you!!!
Since the seller was hoping you'd buy (pun) his story about the hood you might want to be careful about the rest of his claims about this "very original" car.
Do you have some reference material to refer to to see if this car really IS what it's being DESCRIBED as?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

The red-line for a 350/350 in 1970 was 6000 while the red-line for the 350/370 was 6500.
Do you know how to check the stamp pad on the front right side of the engine to verify how the engine that's in the car was originally configured and the serial number of the car it was originally installed in?

mercedeschickenman

I asked the guy to read me the suffex code on engine pad. He says it is "CTK" what ever that means. Guess I better take a trip and look for myself and do some research. He is a dealer and not real informed on Corvettes {I think}. Air cleaner cover reads 350/350.

Alan 71

Hi mcm,
The 'CTK' broadcast code indicates a 1970 350/370 LT-! engine with a small oil pan which allowed space for power steering to be installed.
I think you really need to confirm what this car was originally, and is now, because there's quite a large difference in the value of otherwise comparable 350/350 and 350/370 cars.
It's more common for sellers to claim a car is an LT-! when it's not, than to have a LT-! car and not realize it.
Regards,
Alan

Do you have any photos of the car you can post or a link to the dealer's site?

Easy Mike

I agree with Alan. Time to stop listening to the dealer and take a look for yourself.

Good luck.

7T1vette

Dealers may verbally tell you anything. If you are seriously thinking about the car, tell the dealer that you want him/her to put that info in writing and include it with the contract. THEY WILL NOT DO IT because most of thei speil is malarkey.

The big block hoods did not come with the 350/350 engine. The LT-1 small block 350/370 engine did come with a 'big block' hood...but it had LT-1 pinstripes and logo on that hood without engine size info.

There were lots of small block engined cars where the owners (and dealers) would install BB hoods so that would look . But the LT-1 cars and L-46 cars bring more money and dealers like that a lot.

Make sure you have solid DOCUMENTATION if you are buying a 'premium' priced car....or don't buy it. It would be a lot less money to buy a SB car and install your own BB hood!!

Swimtexan

Post pictures. We will help to verify the car. I'd be willing to speak to the dealer myself for you. Knowledge is power. However nothing is worse than the false confidence of a fool as they say. Dealers do not always have your interest at heart.

Rescue Rogers

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kenba

Get someone that knows C-3'S to look at it with you. At least get a Black Book.

joewill

I agree with Alan. If you require a 'very original' car and the 1st glaring discrepancy is the hood.. I would step back and start looking it over in much greater detail.

vettebuyer6369

But if its a real LT-1, wouldnt the hood as described be correct? The only thing missing would be the pinstripes.

The only problem there is the owner's repeating a silly "big block hood replacement" story, probably modified from the '67 small block/big block hood fantasies.

As Alan suggested, it's all about verifying the car is really an LT-1... that the important value question here.

Primoz

Be very aware what you are buying. Take a look or send somebody or hire somebody you can trust and take a good deep look at the car.
I got scr...d a bit when buying my c3 but still it grew on me in last years and it's getting nicer and nicer to work on it.
But anyway, make a good thorough inspection and then decide.
I know it is hard to buy with your head when your heart tells you different story!

Dirty Dalton

Can you look at it? If not, you'll need someone you trust to look at it and take some pictures. Alan probably has very nice photos of the particular items to look for that will help ascertain if this is a 'real' LT-1.

It's a little difficult for me as mine is spread over three towns at the moment. If it turns out to be the genuine article, don't blow your cover.