What is it?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,260
Likes: 1,678
From: Long Island
The 70010 block was used from 1969 to 1976 in Corvettes and Camaros , also some made it into other cars.
3970010
all - 350 cubic inch
HP = 350 300 250(5), 300 245, 270 ,165, 175 145, 175 145, 160 145, 155
First appeared in late April or early May of 1969 and used through 1975. Used in both 2- and 4-bolt configurations and varied from year to year. Chevrolet shows this block only used in 4-bolt versions in 1969 Chevelle's.
Check the passenger side of the block for additional numbers and dates.
3970010
all - 350 cubic inch
HP = 350 300 250(5), 300 245, 270 ,165, 175 145, 175 145, 160 145, 155
First appeared in late April or early May of 1969 and used through 1975. Used in both 2- and 4-bolt configurations and varied from year to year. Chevrolet shows this block only used in 4-bolt versions in 1969 Chevelle's.
Check the passenger side of the block for additional numbers and dates.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
Those rocker arm nuts are backed off pretty far. There are no umbrellas on the springs so the seals are probably modified for aftermarket seals or non existant seals at all. The dote code is hard to read but they are not production line pieces. As for the auction house, they only provide the information provided by the seller. They will not verify or authenticate anything. Ask them.
Nice car but to believe it left the factory with anything other than an optional L82 engine is pure fantasy. Anything else would open the manufacturer to be charged with violating federal emission laws. It did not happen.
Nice car but to believe it left the factory with anything other than an optional L82 engine is pure fantasy. Anything else would open the manufacturer to be charged with violating federal emission laws. It did not happen.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: KC
Those rocker arm nuts are backed off pretty far. There are no umbrellas on the springs so the seals are probably modified for aftermarket seals or non existant seals at all. The dote code is hard to read but they are not production line pieces. As for the auction house, they only provide the information provided by the seller. They will not verify or authenticate anything. Ask them.
Nice car but to believe it left the factory with anything other than an optional L82 engine is pure fantasy. Anything else would open the manufacturer to be charged with violating federal emission laws. It did not happen.
Nice car but to believe it left the factory with anything other than an optional L82 engine is pure fantasy. Anything else would open the manufacturer to be charged with violating federal emission laws. It did not happen.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 553
Likes: 143
From: Warrington PA
you dont have what you thought you had plain and simple. I dont believe screw in studs and guide plates were standard on those heads over the counter. put a bore scope in the cylinder and look for stamps on the piston if you can see one I bet it's +.030 or more. Its either a re-cammed & re headed stock block or a totally different long block. 74 engines were turds best thing to do is put a chain on them and use them as anchors. I yanked my 74 engine and went +.030, forged pistons, 468 cam, '71 -LT1 heads (2.02/1.60 valves) duel plane aftermarket intake, holley 650 and modified HEI and it's night and day from the stock slug. I only wish I had a 4 speed manual behind it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OE paperwork shows car built in STL, special ordered interior-trim, has L82 repeat L82 motor
nothing special at all about 3970010 block
heads ... 492 heads didn't come OE on a 74 vette & didn't come OE any L82. Beginning 1971, all production sbc have Large chamber, lowered compression heads.
Kruse tag ... suppose Kruse found the 370 on the console ... console ain't real / OE ... all Kruse can do is report what's in front of them ...
But my opinion is Kruse should have made a disclaimer and maybe they did in fine print elsewhere.
seems pad was wiped somewhere along the way by either decking the block for overhaul ... or to obscure a stolen/mismatched motor.
Looks to me as though you have a pretty, well-optioned, white 74 "split-tail" which came OE with an L82 & 4 spd & 3.55:1 gear and a BS swapped console badge.
Cannot tell if that block/motor is OE to the car period. Perhaps some expensive radiographic or other technique may reveal traces of the numbers from pad?
Seems to be a nice car; just not what you hoped for.
nothing special at all about 3970010 block
heads ... 492 heads didn't come OE on a 74 vette & didn't come OE any L82. Beginning 1971, all production sbc have Large chamber, lowered compression heads.
Kruse tag ... suppose Kruse found the 370 on the console ... console ain't real / OE ... all Kruse can do is report what's in front of them ...
But my opinion is Kruse should have made a disclaimer and maybe they did in fine print elsewhere.
seems pad was wiped somewhere along the way by either decking the block for overhaul ... or to obscure a stolen/mismatched motor.
Looks to me as though you have a pretty, well-optioned, white 74 "split-tail" which came OE with an L82 & 4 spd & 3.55:1 gear and a BS swapped console badge.
Cannot tell if that block/motor is OE to the car period. Perhaps some expensive radiographic or other technique may reveal traces of the numbers from pad?
Seems to be a nice car; just not what you hoped for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
I'm in agreement with the majority, here, that you don't have a "special" engine. What you have is an L-82 that's been rebuilt with some special parts. You're hung up on the window sticker or build sheet that says "L-82 Turbo-Fire Special 350 4 bbl V-8". Unfortunately, that's what all of the window stickers for L-82's said on them. Fortunately for you, you've purchased a really nice looking Corvette. Now move forward from here and make it your own. Good luck!
Duane
P.S. Follow all the suggestions here for checking for solid or hyd. lifters along with all the other tech. info. There are many years of experience right here at your fingertips from all the great forum members. Take it and run.
Duane
P.S. Follow all the suggestions here for checking for solid or hyd. lifters along with all the other tech. info. There are many years of experience right here at your fingertips from all the great forum members. Take it and run.
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