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I am new to the corvette world and have purchased a 68 convertible a few weeks ago. It is a 327 car with a 4 speed. The car sat in a garage for about 25 years before i winched it out a few Saturdays ago. After getting it home and thinking about how to begin the process of getting 25 years of dirtiness off it, i started looking at some casting numbers. The engine casting number is 3970020, which after a quick google search, told me it is a 307. I was a little disappointed. i am sure there will be other set backs along in the process. So know I am asking all of you corvette gurus what is a good place to buy parts etc..?
So know i am thinking am LS swap. Does anyone know if the Muncie 4 speed bell housing fit an LS block? i am going to post some pics of the car, block casting, intake casting and carb casting and hoping someone can double check what i have.
I am just looking to build a good driver. Something to enjoy. i look forward to everyone's thought and comments.
OP - before you get in too deep, pull the kick panels and remove the access plates in the rear wheel wells and look at the condition of the #2 and #3 body mount areas. Also, pull the A pillar trim, header trim and dash and thoroughly inspect the birdcage. SAFELY jack the car and thoroughly inspect the frame for rust. Get a pick hammer and whack away at all areas to check for softness. Not to set you up for more disappointment but if the ‘cage and frame are bad, you have nothing more than a parts car or, worse, a bottomless money pit.
Thanks for the pointers. i have the A pillar trim off and seems solid. i have it on jack stands and have been underneath and don't see any noticeable major rust. I will get back under it with a hammer and pick and give it a more thorough look.
show us some more pics of the underside if you get a chance. lemme go look. I think I saved a link to hook up an LS to an older tranny.....BUT if you're going to all that effort why not go for Overdrive?
i will get you some when i get a chance. i haven't ruled out a newer 5 or 6 six speed trans, but was looking at using what i have and using those funds on something else for the car.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
If you arent itching to go with a LS, a crate motor or building a 327 or a 350 is pretty easy and a lot cheaper. The hidden costs of the LS is the adapters, special exhaust, mounts, computer if you keep the injection, new intake and carb if you dont but you still need to figure out the timing/ ignition.
You are also going to want to pull the tank and clean it out as well as flushing the fuel lines looking for rust. As for the carb you should get the numbers off of it and have Lars tell you if its worth keeping and having him rebuild. Do you have a budget or are you going to just get it running and stopping so you can drive it before you decide how much you want to get into it?
I think the bell housing will fit, but one hole doesn't line up. If you have extra cash, buy the LS bellhousing from Silver Sport Transmission.
The bellhousing and everything aft will fit just fine with but one missing bolt. N.B, those bellhousing attachment bolts are metric. The adapters to fit an LS make that motor sit high and that changes the angle of the driveshaft. That may possibly cause some unwanted misalignment vibration but that too is fixable. I can't myself say there is anything easy about an LS swap, but once done it was worth it.
I looked up your statistics. You were born two months AFTER my 69 car was built. I think you have enough time on the clock to get this car done right. You can figure out your 68's mfg date from the trim tag, which I don't see.
Thank for all of the responses. I am thinking the car is a 327/300 car. My plan all along is to make a nice driver out of it. I was going to leave the 327 in it till i found out other wise. I like the idea of the look of the old SBC and have even been thinking about a big block. I will be out for a couple of days, the wife is taking me out of town to see the Eagles. This weekend, i will get some more pics so you guys can see what I am working with. Some what I am seeing, I believe we should be good, but i will post more pics so I can get more eyes on any possible problems.
Moring everyone. Finally had some time to do some more disassembly of the car. Removed all of the interior along with dash and gauges. Amazing how much dirt will accumulate over the years. I have included some pics of the a pillars and such. All of the body mounts looks good. So i am confident of the car being a good builder. I have come to the decision to go back with a SBC. Seems like everyone is doing an LS swap. Kind of like the nostalgic look of the SBC, and everything will bolt back up to it.
What is the easiest way to remove the windshield?
What is everyone using for an assembly manual and wiring diagrams?
68 Corvette questions
