Mystery LT-1 Engine Code?

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Mar 13, 2005 | 09:08 AM

BiLLy-P

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3rd Gear

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Mystery LT-1 Engine Code?

Ok. This is my second post. Anyway, my wife and I took a trip to Pittsburgh last weekend to check out a 1970 LT-1 coupe for sale. Car was in kind of rough shape, but the bait of being able to purchase a legit LT-1 took us down to Pittsburgh. First thing I noticed was an after-market air cleaner and cast iron intake manifold (supposed to be aluminum, correct?) This was the very first vette that we actually went to look at to purchase. Here is the ID stamping off of the front of the engine: V0211OTH. Now, the date of 0211 matches up with the rest of the casting codes on the engine, but we have not been able to match up OTH. We have searched every Cheverolet and GM engine suffix code list we come across and have come up blank. Flexing my mechanical knowledge, I told my wife it stands for "OTHer". She laughed. She knows way more about these cars than I do. We're presently looking for our first vette - a 1968, 69, or 70. Any help? Thanks. -BiLLy

Mar 13, 2005 | 09:20 AM

Mike Ward

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Could it possibly have been CTH? That's the code for a 1970 350/350 4 speed.

What else was on the pad? VIN derivative? Broach marks?

Mar 13, 2005 | 09:52 AM

page62

Le Mans Master

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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas

Sounds like a 350/350. Sometimes, it seems like "every" small block C3 from that era is an LT-1. Just like every Chevelle is an SS

Mar 13, 2005 | 12:15 PM

mstanton

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From: Upstate South Carolina

LT-1s did have alluminum intake manifold as well as several other unique features for 70, such as 6500 rpm tach, no fuel return line, transistor ignition. This car is most likely not an LT-1 but may be an L-46.

Mar 13, 2005 | 12:20 PM

Keno's 69

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From: Newark Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstanton

I might be wrong, but wasn't a L-46 used in 69 only?

Mar 13, 2005 | 01:36 PM

BiLLy-P

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If I knew how to post a picture, I would do so for your inspection. However, it is unmistakably V0211OTH. I did think about the possibility that the O could have been a double-stamped "C", but the stamp would have had to spun around and exactly lined up to form the other half of the "O" and that seemed unlikley, not to mention poor workmanship. It doesn’t look like anything is before this number, although it did appear to be pretty dirty. The tach red-lines at around 5500 and 7000 is the largest number.

By the way, I’m amazed at the number of responses already in just a few hours. Thank you to all.

-BiLLy

Mar 13, 2005 | 08:05 PM

Paul Borowski

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From: Massillon,Ohio USA

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There is also the remote possibility that it came out of a Pontiac or Oldsmobile. They used "Chevy" engines in Pontiac Ventura II's and other Oldsmobiles-maybe this is where it came from

Mar 13, 2005 | 08:13 PM

Greg G

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Connelly Springs NC

How to know if it is an LT1

First look at the tach. The LT1 had a higher red line. It also had a single line running from the gas tank to the fuel pump. There are other numbers you can check, but I don't have my code book here. The alternator was higher amps. It did not have AC. I think it had a transitorized distributor, al intake manifold, should say 370 hp on id plate by shifter. Does it have a LT1 hood?
Does the block vin code match the car vin?
I think LT1 had an aluminum radiator and expansion tank and metal fan shroud.