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I recently acquired a very clean 1970 Corvette that had set in a garage since 1988. I am going to do a build thread soon and show pics of us pulling it from the garage, but had a couple questions in the mean time. The car is supposed to be a 454, 4spd car but the original engine apparently blew up back in the early 80s and was replaced with a 66 427. I'm looking for a way to verify its an LS5 car though. The hood was replaced at some point with a long 73 hood most likely due to the wiper door not working. I dropped the tank today and the build sheet is there, but its basically unreadable. The only thing I can go by is the plate by the shifter appears original and is a 454, 390hp, 500tq car. Is there any other way to verifiy the car without the build sheet at this point? Any help is greatly appreciated. Here's a pic when we pulled it from the garage and the console plate.
Thats a great idea. What does your tach go to sir? I cant see it very well in the picture and i can verify that way also.
It should have a rear sway bar if originally a 454. The caps for the half shafts are different from small block to BBC. Also the rear end codes are specific for a 454:
CAT 3.08 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAU 3.36 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAV 3.08 Standard (454)
CAW 3.08 Standard (454)
CAX 3.36 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAY 2.73 Positraction (454 Turbo-Hydra-Matic)
CAZ 3.55 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CFA 3.70 Positraction (454)
CFB 4.11 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CFC 4.56 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CLR 3.36 Standard (454)
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My build sheet was in bad shape but I took photos of it and then manipulated the image and compared it to more legible ones. I was able to decipher most of it, mine being a 71 454.
It should have a rear sway bar if originally a 454. The caps for the half shafts are different from small block to BBC. Also the rear end codes are specific for a 454:
CAT 3.08 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAU 3.36 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAV 3.08 Standard (454)
CAW 3.08 Standard (454)
CAX 3.36 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CAY 2.73 Positraction (454 Turbo-Hydra-Matic)
CAZ 3.55 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CFA 3.70 Positraction (454)
CFB 4.11 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CFC 4.56 Heavy Duty Positraction (454)
CLR 3.36 Standard (454)
and a larger front swaybar (15/16" I believe). F41 optional suspension also used the same sway bar (I believe) so not definitive but a clue nonetheless.
The radiator in a big block should carry part #3019190 and might be visible on the top surface.
Perfect responses so thank you guys! Tach, half shaft caps and rear sway bar all match up. I’ll post up in the LS5 section for more details. I’m excited for to keep digging and hoping to find another build sheet somewhere. I had to cut the welded exhaust off to get the tank out also.
Cool
Cleaned up pretty good for a quick wash.
The new hood introduced in '73 was arguably the BEST upgrade made during the entire run of the C3's.
That being said, if you want to change it back to stock, it's not really that difficult. I have retro-fitted a couple.
Good luck with your great new project!
This is most of the differences.. some of them are LT1 also.
half shaft ujoint connectors are caps and not straps.
the radiator support width is just a little wider at 27.5 inches, so radiator is just a little wider also,
Front stabilizer bar is thicker,
front springs are thicker,
rear stabilizer,
5600 red line tach,
454 engine plate on the console,
copper radiator with overflow tank,
big block hood,
emissions label sticker behind master cyl.
of course all can be purchased in the after market.. but most people do not exhaust this list in their attempt to fake the car.
Thanks for the help guys. Everything match's up perfect which is what i figured, but i always like to learn more. Im pulling the rest of the interior out tonight, door panels and dash so fingers crossed someone hid another build sheet in it.
1970 Build sheet/verification help needed
