C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1977 engine identification

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 13, 2026 | 09:22 PM
  #1  
Jdetrick's Avatar
Jdetrick
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Default 1977 engine identification

I recently purchased a 77, that had been sitting in a barn, I’m trying to figure out whether the engine is original or not, it is the correct blue for a 77, but the engine identification (V0304CLA) shows as a 1970 block, with the casting number 3970010, anyone have any tips on how to find out for sure?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2026 | 09:33 PM
  #2  
Paul Borowski's Avatar
Paul Borowski
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,372
Likes: 446
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Default

...CLA was a 185hp/automatic L-48 engine suffix for 1977 as was the block casting of 3970010. The engine is Flint Assembly=V, March 4th=0304. Where or why do you think it's a 1970 engine? So far, what you've posted is correct & original for an L-48 1977 Corvette.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2026 | 11:23 PM
  #3  
4-vettes's Avatar
4-vettes
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,936
Likes: 7,571
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

I'm thinking, read the stamp pad on the passengers side of the block, just at the head gasket surface right in front of the head.
the second stamped set of numbers should include the last of the vin.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2026 | 03:36 PM
  #4  
427SIXPACK's Avatar
427SIXPACK
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,491
Likes: 1,824
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Jdetrick
I recently purchased a 77, that had been sitting in a barn, I’m trying to figure out whether the engine is original or not, it is the correct blue for a 77, but the engine identification (V0304CLA) shows as a 1970 block, with the casting number 3970010, anyone have any tips on how to find out for sure?

Correct ................ GM "CORPORATE BLUE" Started in 1977 As mentioned above, what are the rest of the numbers on the pad to the right ? ( Vin Derivative )

...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1977 engine identification





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:13 AM.

story-0
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?

There may be some big changes on the horizon.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-18 06:55:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)

Slideshow: 9 best Corvettes you can buy for half price (and 1 you shouldn't!)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-17 10:20:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026

Slideshow: 8 best Corvette of Amelia Island 2026

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-11 09:28:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!

Slideshow: Top 10 worst Corvette engineering failures

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-10 17:38:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)

Slideshow: 10 records the C8 Corvette generation has SMASHED (& 1 glaring failure).

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-02 11:16:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made

Out of the many Corvette concepts that exist, these are by far the wildest of the bunch.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-02 11:03:54


VIEW MORE