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Did dealers install higher performance 454 engines in 1973. I am looking at one that is a 454 car but with the higher performance engine. The block is "dealer stamped" with the correct number.
Who says it's "dealer stamped", the current seller of the car? Anybody can buy an engine block and stamp anything they want on it. Without real paper work you have no way of knowing what the history of that engine is. Post a picture of the engine pad if you can.
CE engines were supposed to be stamped with the partial VIN on the stamp pad by the installing dealer but very few were.
Agree that unless you have paperwork its just another non-original engine
Even with paperwork it is not a "born with" engine so value accordingly. My '69 ZQ3 350 is a CE engine that is a correct late 1969 serial and I have the dealer paperwork that shows the warranty replacement done in Dec 1969 at 10k miles. Still doesn't count as "numbers matching" to most.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Feb 11, 2017 at 12:42 PM.
Its very unlikely in 1973 they were swapping engines. That happened in the late 60s into maybe 1971 but after that the EPA got involved and put an end to it as everything had to pass emissions. That along with insurance company problems brought the end to the high performance of that time and started the disco era of cars......
Last edited by ed427vette; Feb 11, 2017 at 02:53 PM.
Thanks. Yes the seller is claiming a factory warranty replacement engine as an LS6 454. I will see about paperwork to document. This a person thinning his collection. He has this and a 1974 L82 convertible documented with 51000 miles either for 17K.
Thanks. Yes the seller is claiming a factory warranty replacement engine as an LS6 454. I will see about paperwork to document. This a person thinning his collection. He has this and a 1974 L82 convertible documented with 51000 miles either for 17K.
In 73 the best and only BB was the LS-4. GM will only warranty the exact same engine that came in the car so it is not an official warranty job.
Even is the owner at the time paid the difference to upgrade to a LS-6 CE engine or had his LS-4 CE engine upgraded to LS-6 specs using counter parts, it is not a numbers matching engine. The best he could claim is a "LS-4 period CE engine upgraded to LS-6 specs", otherwise it just a non-original engine.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Feb 11, 2017 at 03:08 PM.
Hi Fb,
Think about it...why would Chevrolet, under warranty (meaning their $$$), replace a LS4 engine in a 73 car with a LS6 engine?
It seems someone is pulling your leg!
Do you know what to look for to see if what this engine even APPEARS to be an LS6 engine?
The money is still safely still in YOUR pocket… right!
Regards,
Alan
I guess in the same way most 427 engines are the 435hp version most 454 engines are the 425hp version.
Thanks everyone for the info. The money is still in my pocket so I will keep looking. I am just itching to have another corvette to drive on weekends. Sold my 64 fuelie a couple of years back and am just looking for a driver nothing to collect. C3 cars seem to be the best value since they have not appreciated much in the last few years and just looking for something with a lot less electrical system than the modern ones. I have an eye on a 1978 with a new zz4 with AFR heads and reworked auto. Owned by an old guy like me so I know he just likes to turn wrenches rather than pushing the car hard. Just wish it was a stick rather than an auto.
Hi Fb,
Good!
If you want it to be a 4-speed than that's what you should be looking at.
A 4-speed makes the driving experience quite different.
Regards,
Alan
When i went hunting my 69 i knew what i wanted but i had the confines of a smaller than many entry budget,
i knew i could swap things like engine, interior color paint etc, but convertible was a must, so 68-75 then my wife said well you just got to find a 69...in the end she found it, but its auto and swapping to stick which a vette deserves will take me a lot longer due to the work and budget,
So i do suggest, if you dig a stick unless you can convert it yourself dont settle for auto....when people settle they are never 100% happy with the car....
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 11, 2017 at 06:36 PM.
He wants $17,000 Good clean car but not a show winner by any means but brakes, suspension, etc are are all top notch. Just that there so many 1972-1978 cars here at $8000 to $11000 that it makes it hard to pay that for a driver.
I like the revs of a small block for the roads it be driven on (more of handling on twisty roads). So I will continue to look. I already have a straight line car (427 cross-bolt Ford).
Thanks to everyone on this forum. I will take some time and learn more about C3s and probably build a full roller small engine to go in one I find.
Actually there were a few dealers around the country that would install an "other-than-original" special engine in your Corvette and some even came with a warranty. Baldwin-Motion was one of them. http://www.superchevy.com/features/v...ion-corvettes/
Lets not forget that more than a few Corvettes went back to the dealer in the late 60's to have their 427's replaced with an L-88. Even the ZL-1 that Wayne Walker restored went back to have it's original engine replaced after it was blown up. Albeit, with a non-ZL1 427. Changing out engines with the latest and greatest parts and pieces was particularly the case with dealers that sponsored racers of their own.
Until the full story of how the LS6 ended up in the car is known, it may be a bit premature to call foul on this one.
All kinds of things were done 'back in the day'. There were folks that bought a new car and had the dealer remove the engine and replace it with the biggest, baddest engine GM could suppy over the counter...BEFORE THEY EVER TOOK POSSESSION!
I have no doubt that if an engine change was required for a warranty repair, that the customer could ....for extra money... have it replaced with another "available" engine by the dealer.
And, there are those who have replacement engines (for whatever reason) who try to make their car more valuable by re-stamping the engine pad with some "mystery" number and creating a phony story that would SEEM plausible to a gullible buyer.
The value of any of our Corvettes is what we feel the value is, what we could sell it for and what a buyer would be willing to pay. Alan71's is worth a mint from the photos I've seen him post, however only if Alan wants to sell it and a buyer is looking for exactly what Alan has done with his car. If the O.P. wants a daily driver 73, doesn't care if it is a matching numbers car, with an LS-6 motor and the car is in excellent shape, then the value of that car is what he is willing to pay and the seller is willing to sell it for. My 73 is in excellent shape, but if it had an original LS-6, "possibly dealer installed", I'd be thrilled because my numbers matching 454 could use a few extra ponies. Just sayin...
Thanks OCB. I agree 100%. I will keep looking for exactly what I want at a price the seller and I can agree upon. I am no longer looking for investment caliber cars (too old for that) just something I can drive that really keeps me touch with a fine machine holding the road at speed.
My opinion if I may, if the cars frame is in good condition, drive train and suspension are in good shape like you say and interior is clean, you like it, go for it. If you want it that bad for less money, bring 15G Cash in an envelope and it's yours. Money talks and BS, well you know.
When i went hunting my 69 i knew what i wanted but i had the confines of a smaller than many entry budget,
i knew i could swap things like engine, interior color paint etc, but convertible was a must, so 68-75 then my wife said well you just got to find a 69...in the end she found it, but its auto and swapping to stick which a vette deserves will take me a lot longer due to the work and budget,
So i do suggest, if you dig a stick unless you can convert it yourself dont settle for auto....when people settle they are never 100% happy with the car....
Good advice here. Keep shopping till you get what you REALLY want to begin with. Three basics coupe /convertible , type of engine , auto / 4 Speed.
73 454 dealer optional engine
