finding proper engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
finding proper engine
I would like to know how I go about getting the proper engine for my corvette, I have a 73 coupe that does not have the proper engine in it and I also have a 75 coupe that has a truck engine in it. is there a way to get a correct one for them. thanks scott
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I agree with MelWff. All Corvette engines have Corvette only engine ID suffixs which depended upon displacement and tranny type.
You could also look for an engine with the correct suffix and casting date.
You could also look for an engine with the correct suffix and casting date.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi s,
As Mel and Mike have said there was just one engine that was correct for your cars.
What you would be looking for now would be blocks with certain casting numbers and casting dates.
After finding those you'd THEN have to begin looking for many other engine parts that also have casting numbers, part numbers and dates that would make them appropriate for your cars' assembly dates. Things like heads, intakes, exhaust manifolds, starter, alternator, carburetor, etc.
This would take a LOT of effort, time, and $$$.
Perhaps what you could do is to make the engines you currently have LOOK appropriate for your car except during very CLOSE examination.
Might that be a more doable option for you?
Regards,
Alan
As Mel and Mike have said there was just one engine that was correct for your cars.
What you would be looking for now would be blocks with certain casting numbers and casting dates.
After finding those you'd THEN have to begin looking for many other engine parts that also have casting numbers, part numbers and dates that would make them appropriate for your cars' assembly dates. Things like heads, intakes, exhaust manifolds, starter, alternator, carburetor, etc.
This would take a LOT of effort, time, and $$$.
Perhaps what you could do is to make the engines you currently have LOOK appropriate for your car except during very CLOSE examination.
Might that be a more doable option for you?
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,147
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
with AlanI would go with a "correct" 3970014 block: late 72 -early 73. You could then assemble a parts bin and build the engine when you have all the parts. Heads, manifolds -etc... Just a warning this may not be cheep and can take a while. It will be a "period correct" engine.
If you just put the "correct parts on the existing engine as stated above - It will save a ton of money and look correct... very few people will notice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
ok great thanks for all the great info. I just did not want to keep a truck engine in my 75 coupe. my 73 is a show car so that's the one I will focus on getting back to original. thanks guys.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,173
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi s,
Do you know what sort of engine is presently in your 73?
Often the engine assembly information stamped on the pad just forward of the right side head will help identify when the engine was assembled and in what 'configuration.
Regards,
Alan
The lower arrow points to a partial VIN that identifies what vehicle the engine was first installed in.
The upper arrow point to the stamp that indicates at which engine plant the engine was assembled and also the date of assembly and configuration code.
Do you know what sort of engine is presently in your 73?
Often the engine assembly information stamped on the pad just forward of the right side head will help identify when the engine was assembled and in what 'configuration.
Regards,
Alan
The lower arrow points to a partial VIN that identifies what vehicle the engine was first installed in.
The upper arrow point to the stamp that indicates at which engine plant the engine was assembled and also the date of assembly and configuration code.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
Hi s,
Do you know what sort of engine is presently in your 73?
Often the engine assembly information stamped on the pad just forward of the right side head will help identify when the engine was assembled and in what 'configuration.
Regards,
Alan
The lower arrow points to a partial VIN that identifies what vehicle the engine was first installed in.
The upper arrow point to the stamp that indicates at which engine plant the engine was assembled and also the date of assembly and configuration code.
Do you know what sort of engine is presently in your 73?
Often the engine assembly information stamped on the pad just forward of the right side head will help identify when the engine was assembled and in what 'configuration.
Regards,
Alan
The lower arrow points to a partial VIN that identifies what vehicle the engine was first installed in.
The upper arrow point to the stamp that indicates at which engine plant the engine was assembled and also the date of assembly and configuration code.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I was lucky enough to find the perfect Corvette engine for my 72 on Craigslist for $1200. which was taken out of the car with only 53k. miles to replace with a big block many years ago and all original untouched . The casting numbers were correct and build date was almost perfect for my car. They call this " Period Correct " which is the next best thing to numbers match . Good Luck in finding the same deal . Be patient.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
There's nothing wrong with a "truck engine", unless it's a 305. Is it a small block? Bump up the compression, put in a decent cam and some aluminum heads, and it'll run way better than the weak sauce engine it came with in '75.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
I was lucky enough to find the perfect Corvette engine for my 72 on Craigslist for $1200. which was taken out of the car with only 53k. miles to replace with a big block many years ago and all original untouched . The casting numbers were correct and build date was almost perfect for my car. They call this " Period Correct " which is the next best thing to numbers match . Good Luck in finding the same deal . Be patient.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
looks like that will be the end result. I will just pull the truck motor and rebuild it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,147
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
If the machine shop mills the block to "level" the block casting and bump the compression then the numbers on the front pad disappear.
unless it's a 305 all Chevy blocks are fine.
It's almost always cheaper to go with a 4 bolt Chevy GM crate engine.
unless it's a 305 all Chevy blocks are fine. It's almost always cheaper to go with a 4 bolt Chevy GM crate engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-engine.html
Heck it's even an L-82 and an honest to goodness Corvette engine.
The L-82 (even in 1979) had great bones and with a few minor mods will outperform anything available in '75 and you can even honestly throw the L-82 emblems on the hood. Or you can start looking for a suitable date coded 350 block (what are the odds?) and build it from scratch into one that appears to be correct for your car.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
You need to contact Sluefoot, he has the perfect engine for your '75... (or the '73) Well pretty darn close!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-engine.html
Heck it's even an L-82 and an honest to goodness Corvette engine. The L-82 (even in 1979) had great bones and with a few minor mods will outperform anything available in '75 and you can even honestly throw the L-82 emblems on the hood.
Or you can start looking for a suitable date coded 350 block (what are the odds?) and build it from scratch into one that appears to be correct for your car.
Good luck... GUSTO
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-engine.html
Heck it's even an L-82 and an honest to goodness Corvette engine.
The L-82 (even in 1979) had great bones and with a few minor mods will outperform anything available in '75 and you can even honestly throw the L-82 emblems on the hood. Or you can start looking for a suitable date coded 350 block (what are the odds?) and build it from scratch into one that appears to be correct for your car.
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Most didn't have the forged crank of the L-82, but frankly it wasn't really needed in the L-48 or the L-82. It still could be a good motor to start with. The heads in the late 70's were the real weak points of these engines. The 333881's and 333882's had issues with cracking because the castings were quite thin. Pull a valve cover and post the casting number when you get a chance and you'll receive more input on them.
Good luck... GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
parts car
ok since I last asked for info on getting a proper engine for my 75 coupe I have located a 77 coupe that is complete but is a parts cars only it has the correct engine in it for that year. question is will this engine be ok to put in my 75 coupe. it will be the correct time period engine for the c3
thanks scott
thanks scott
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
It'll work just fine but will be slow. Less than 200 H.P. at best(less with a worn out, 40 year old engine). I would at very least install better heads and a cam, along with rings and bearings.
Last edited by Richard Daugird; Feb 22, 2017 at 08:49 PM.