matching number L46???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
matching number L46???
Hi
I m trying to restore a 1969 corvette L46 with out a original engine block , the intake and exhaust manifold looks original so is tranny and rear end, my question is do I will better go with a original engine block (HW)
from different car no matching vin , or is it better to fined a CE replacement block with correct date.what would be more correct or closer to a matching number car
thank you for your opinions
I m trying to restore a 1969 corvette L46 with out a original engine block , the intake and exhaust manifold looks original so is tranny and rear end, my question is do I will better go with a original engine block (HW)
from different car no matching vin , or is it better to fined a CE replacement block with correct date.what would be more correct or closer to a matching number car
thank you for your opinions
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
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From: los altos hills california
So by "better" do you want it to "look original"? Because it can never "be original"!
Maybe a picture of what you have now? There is a lot more hardware that screams "original" which you may or may not have. Smog pump, shielding....on and on. Being in Poland, that may be pretty hard to get if you don't already have it.
Maybe a picture of what you have now? There is a lot more hardware that screams "original" which you may or may not have. Smog pump, shielding....on and on. Being in Poland, that may be pretty hard to get if you don't already have it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Likes: 2,582
Hi
I m trying to restore a 1969 corvette L46 with out a original engine block , the intake and exhaust manifold looks original so is tranny and rear end, my question is do I will better go with a original engine block (HW)
from different car no matching vin , or is it better to fined a CE replacement block with correct date.what would be more correct or closer to a matching number car
thank you for your opinions
I m trying to restore a 1969 corvette L46 with out a original engine block , the intake and exhaust manifold looks original so is tranny and rear end, my question is do I will better go with a original engine block (HW)
from different car no matching vin , or is it better to fined a CE replacement block with correct date.what would be more correct or closer to a matching number car
thank you for your opinions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
hi
im trying to get to original as mach as passable I know not everything will be, but as mach as I can,i do spend my summers in Colorado so I have some time to look for parts.There are some CE engine block on eBay and other places ,I also fined some HW block on line, Tracy corvette have couple .I have now a engine from 1970 Chevelle (250HP)
this summer I will try to fined a first owner of the car and see what was the history of it , maybe I can fine a original engine ,maybe it is fixable if im lucky
my questions is witch way is more correct to restore ,judge in a car show . im planing to keep it for long time.
thanks
im trying to get to original as mach as passable I know not everything will be, but as mach as I can,i do spend my summers in Colorado so I have some time to look for parts.There are some CE engine block on eBay and other places ,I also fined some HW block on line, Tracy corvette have couple .I have now a engine from 1970 Chevelle (250HP)
this summer I will try to fined a first owner of the car and see what was the history of it , maybe I can fine a original engine ,maybe it is fixable if im lucky
my questions is witch way is more correct to restore ,judge in a car show . im planing to keep it for long time.
thanks
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Bottom line. It was only original once.
And now it's not!
So, the heck with it! Do it your way!
At a car show. People like the bling! They like clean and tidy and shiny!
99 percent of people at a car show have no clue what is original or not!
Only a couple snobs might know or even care.
It's your car! It will never be original again no matter what you do.
So just make it your own! Do it your way.
And now it's not!
So, the heck with it! Do it your way!
At a car show. People like the bling! They like clean and tidy and shiny!
99 percent of people at a car show have no clue what is original or not!
Only a couple snobs might know or even care.
It's your car! It will never be original again no matter what you do.
So just make it your own! Do it your way.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
yes you are wright but I will try to fined the original engine this summer, i may get lucky.on the other hand I would like to get close to original as mach as I can so my question is if you be the judge at car show what be the best option for best score and value of the car, HW with different vin or a period correct CE engine,
thanks
thanks
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,329
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Just my 2 cents here but as long as you are trying not to fool anyone, just try to find a nice 010 350 block that has a casting date close to the build date of your car. Then just build it to the correct L46 specs. Do you still have the original heads?
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yes you are wright but I will try to fined the original engine this summer, i may get lucky.on the other hand I would like to get close to original as mach as I can so my question is if you be the judge at car show what be the best option for best score and value of the car, HW with different vin or a period correct CE engine,
thanks
thanks
The only organization that does that is NCRS.
Are you saying in Europe they check the engine VIN and code at a show and shine car show?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
no they don look for that at the car shows but for me I would like to be as mach as original gets ,that's why I would like your opinion what is next to original number matching car.if I can't fined the original engine I would like to know what is the next best thing
thanks
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
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From: Little Rock AR
There is a specific order in judging and engine for NCRS. I have a basic understanding but there are sure to be others that will correct this if it is in error. These checks are done in specific order so once you have a failed check in the sequence, you go no farther in points.
The correct "casting number" engine block is the first check. There were 3 different casting numbers used in the '69 model year so it matters what date your car was built. Your early car probably needs a "386" casting number block. If you fail to get this right, you do not proceed to the next test and thats it.
The "casting date" is next and should preceed the build date of the car by no more than 6 months. Again, you must pass this to move on to the next check.
The stamping pad is judged next. You will not pass this so best to leave it alone as there are no more points to earn.
The heads need to be correct casting number "186" but are not judged for casting date code as far as I know.
I do have some rebuilt "186" big valve L-46 heads available, but they would be early '70 casting dates if it matters to you.
The correct "casting number" engine block is the first check. There were 3 different casting numbers used in the '69 model year so it matters what date your car was built. Your early car probably needs a "386" casting number block. If you fail to get this right, you do not proceed to the next test and thats it.
The "casting date" is next and should preceed the build date of the car by no more than 6 months. Again, you must pass this to move on to the next check.
The stamping pad is judged next. You will not pass this so best to leave it alone as there are no more points to earn.
The heads need to be correct casting number "186" but are not judged for casting date code as far as I know.
I do have some rebuilt "186" big valve L-46 heads available, but they would be early '70 casting dates if it matters to you.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
thank you ,that is the answer I was looking for. yes the correct block for my production date is 3932386 (early production)and heads 3927186..my corvette was born on Oct. 19 1968
please pm with info on your heads , if I can't fined the correct dates heads I may be interested in yours
thanks
please pm with info on your heads , if I can't fined the correct dates heads I may be interested in yours
thanks
Last edited by Bogdanator; May 21, 2025 at 10:36 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Little Rock AR
Safety Car
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From: los altos hills california
Here's my post on everything I took off of my early January L46.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hrow-away.html
The taillights and seatbelts are gone. If you want to discuss any thing I posted, best send me a PM so as to not interrupt your discussion here.
Le Mans Master
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From: Little Rock AR
Le Mans Master
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From: LONG ISLAND
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Buy a brand new reliable, powerful, crate engine from a Chevy dealer, it's not original anymore, & it never will be, and won't command anymore money being "CLOSE". I personally wouldn't waste the time. If it was so important to be correct, i'm curious why you didn't just purchase one that was correct to begin with ?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2023
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From: Aubrey TX
no they don look for that at the car shows but for me I would like to be as mach as original gets ,that's why I would like your opinion what is next to original number matching car.if I can't fined the original engine I would like to know what is the next best thing
thanks
thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Poland
that is exactly what im trying to do, and if I can still fined the original engine(did happen in past with a 73 barracuda I have)then it will be original car, but if not I would like to have a period correct ,spec. correct car I can enjoy driving
thanks for all your input ,
thanks for all your input ,